Annual Giving Opportunities
Simply stated, annual giving makes the day-day operations of the STEPP Program possible. Our ability to offer mentoring, tutoring, instructional programming and other support at the core of the STEPP program depends on this support. Gifts of all amounts can make a positive impact for our scholars.
Mentor Sponsorship
Mentors provide the first line of support for participating students ranging from weekly proactive support with time management and planning to on-the-spot assistance with ongoing academic routines. Alumni feedback tells us that the strategies and mindsets modeled and promoted by STEPP mentors has helped to establish foundational skills our scholars not only use in college, but also take to professional and community environments across the nation. Funding support to hire mentors is an excellent opportunity to make a direct and positive impact on students.
Tutor Sponsorship
Tutors provide a valuable source of support for students during their daily study routines. From group study sessions to individual tutoring, these peer tutors are able to assist with the development of content understanding and help students effectively apply study strategies they learn in STEPP programming. Funding support for tutor hires not only provides a critical resource for STEPP participants, but also gives valuable work opportunities, training, and experience to ECU student peer-tutors.
Scholarships
The STEPP Program continues to look for ways to provide access to diverse groups of students, and we recognize that the program itself imposes time commitments for our scholars. Students who attend ECU through the STEPP Program often devote more time than their peers to academic work, leaving little opportunity for additional time-consuming commitments, such as employment. While our current fundraising priority is to build an endowment to ensure students are able to receive support through STEPP at no additional cost, scholarship opportunities will further provide access to students who need additional financial assistance to pursue their college goals.
Boot Camp
First-year students and their families attend STEPP’s “Boot Camp” during the week before classes begin. This intense transition experience immerses students in several days of fun and informative activities designed to build a strong cohort community and ensure students are ready for their first day of classes. Parents attend the first two days of Boot Camp with their students. From welcome resources, informational materials, class supplies, door prizes, thank-you tokens for presenters, meals, snacks, and as much purple as we can put in their hands, providing funding for Boot Camp would be a fantastic way to welcome a new group of deserving and excited Pirates to the ECU campus each year.