STEPP Program Staff
Adam Denney
Director
denneya15@ecu.edu
252-737-2661
2701 Joyner Library
Denney is responsible for the overall vision and leadership of the program. In addition to providing guidance and direction for the students and staff, he oversees the program’s research overlay, collaborates with the university community, networks and establishes connections with external partners, and coordinates other processes essential to developing and sustaining the STEPP Program.
Ashley Cooper
Transition Specialist
cooperash22@ecu.edu
252-737-2275
2706 Joyner Library
Cooper works closely with the incoming students to the STEPP Program. She focuses on engaging the incoming students with year-long transition support to support the student’s journey from high school to college. She begins equipping the incoming cohort with skills and resources to be successful at the university. She facilitates the recruitment and application process and is the primary contact for prospective students and families.
Dr. Danielle Dietz
Instructional Specialist
dietzd21@ecu.edu
252-328-0284
2702 Joyner Library
Dr. Dietz provides ongoing daily support to all currently enrolled students during the academic year. She develops and teaches the STEPP Program curriculum, which focuses on equipping participants with skills, strategies, and resources necessary to be successful in the university setting, such as time management, organization, study skills, learning strategies, and campus resources. She also monitors students’ daily progress, supervises study hall, trains and supervises the program’s tutors.
Amanda McDaniel
Administrative Support Specialist
mcdaniela23@ecu.edu
252-737-4733
2707 Joyner Library
The Administrative Support Specialist is responsible for independent administrative work supporting the STEPP Program and College STAR initiatives. The Administrative Support Specialist manages overall grant budgets, as well as purchasing and supply inventory. The Administrative Support Specialist works closely with all College STAR campus-based managers, the UNC-GA, and the Oak Foundation.
Mentors
The STEPP Program’s Mentors are graduate students who work closely with our currently enrolled students to support their transition to college and their academic success. They provide one-on-one and small-group assistance, with a strong focus on helping students learn and practice the skills and habits that will enable them to thrive in college and beyond.
STEPP Mentors must be enrolled in an ECU graduate school program and be able to commit to working 20-25 hours per week in both the fall and spring semesters. STEPP generally accepts Mentor applications for the upcoming academic year between March and July of each year. The application materials will be posted on this page when they are available.
Tutors
The STEPP Program hires undergraduate students as tutors to provide direct content support for specific subject areas and courses, both one-on-one and in small groups. English and math tutoring is available each semester; other tutoring offered varies based on our students’ course enrollment and requests and often includes natural sciences, social sciences, and business courses.