Mission Statement
The STEPP (Supporting Transition and Education through Planning and Partnership) Program’s mission is to provide students with learning disabilities who aspire to achieve a college education and who demonstrate the potential for postsecondary success with access and comprehensive support throughout the university experience. By partnering with these students, their families, and a variety of educational communities, the STEPP Program fosters a network of opportunities and resources to empower and support students from admission to graduation from East Carolina University. By providing access to college for a bright group of students, designing an integrated and collaborative system of support on a public university campus, researching short-term and long-term outcomes, and partnering with a continuum of educational settings based on what we learn, STEPP will achieve the ultimate goal of the program – to open the door to a college education for students with learning disabilities here and at other universities.
Resources
Contact Information
Sarah Williams, Director
williamssar@ecu.edu
252-328-1101
Adam Denney, Senior Associate Director for Program Services
denneya15@ecu.edu
252-737-2661
Ashley Cooper, Transition Specialist
cooperash22@ecu.edu
252-737-2275
Danielle Dietz, Instructional Specialist & Academic Advisor
dietzd21@ecu.edu
252-328-0284
STEPP Program
Joyner Library 1000 East Fifth st. mail stop 516
East Carolina University
Greenville, NC 27858
Program Description
Program Overview
Incoming Transition Support
- Monthly transition newsletters provide guided preparation in key areas of college readiness
- Individualized consultation offers targeted support to students, families, and schools as needed
- Boot Camp jump-starts the college experience for first-year students and parents with an intensive introduction to ECU held the week before the fall semester begins
Ongoing Services and Requirements during the College Years
- Parallel curriculum, taken in seminar-style classes in addition to ECU’s academic requirements, develop skills and habits essential to academic success
- Required study hall hours enable each student to create a structured schedule with ample time devoted to academics within a resource-rich supervised environment conducive to effective studying
- Mentoring by ECU graduate students offers support and guidance as first-year students implement new skills and access campus resources
- Tutoring provides assistance in selected subjects during study hall hours
- Assistive technology resources and support enhance learning routines
- Ongoing advising (including goal setting, grade reporting, and consultation) assists students in tracking their academic progress; a dual-advising model partners STEPP with advisors in each student’s major
- Campus Living connections include placement within a designated residence hall for all first-year students
- Guidance in accessing Disability Support Services and other campus resources foster establishing and managing connections with the range of ECU support resources
Outgoing Transition Activities and Support
- Development of a professional portfolio that identifies critical competencies within each student’s field of study and showcases his/her accomplishments
- Individualized support in the transition from college to career includes foci on activities such as finding and preparing for an internship, studying for the GRE, submitting graduate school applications, resume-building, etc.
Description of Services
The STEPP Program offers comprehensive academic, social, and life-skills support to a select number of students with identified Specific Learning Disabilities who have shown the potential to succeed at ECU. Funded primarily with private gifts, this program provides a unique opportunity to a population that traditionally may not have access to college.
Target Population
- Specified Learning Difference
Program at a glance
How many students are enrolled in this program? 50-99
What are the annual costs for a student to attend this program? $0
Is this program public? Yes
Is this program fee-based? No
how large is the instition associated with this program? 25,000-49,999
What type of institution is associated with this program? University