UAlbany's annual STEM-focused workforce development program bolstered by Bank of America support

High school students from Capital Region to Participate in the
STEP’s first virtual Summer Institute

Students from last year's summer STEP program, which was held on campus. This year, for the first time, the program will be virtual.

ALBANY, N.Y. (June 9, 2020) – The University at Albany has been awarded a $40,000 grant from Bank of America for its Science & Technology Entry Program (STEP), a program funded by the New York State Education Department (NYSED).

The annual workforce development summer program — operated by STEP in partnership with NYSED, the City of Albany and the Albany City School District — prepares local high school students for careers and licensed professions in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).

The grant will allow STEP to expand its program capacity for the 2020 session by 13 additional students, according to Mayra E. Santiago, director of the program through the University’s Office of Access & Academic Enrichment. Last year, the bank awarded $30,000 to UAlbany’s STEP program.

Santiago said STEP’s Summer Institute will help roughly 85 area middle and high school students gain post-secondary academic skill sets and knowledge in STEM fields, research techniques, technology applications and college preparation.

“Bank of America actively supports local nonprofit and academic organizations that are working to alleviate poverty and create pathways to economic success by advancing workforce development of the area’s youth,” said Jennifer MacPhee, Albany/Hudson Valley market president for Bank of America. “Deepening and expanding support of incredible programs like STEP are critical to a city’s economic success in continually striving to build a diverse workforce. STEP’s mission to support economically disadvantaged and historically underrepresented students in the Capital Region was a natural fit for us and these efforts.”

Experiencing College Virtually at UAlbany

The grant from Bank of America will support STEP’s Summer Institute College Overview and Research Experience (CORE) program. The program enables rising high school seniors and exceptional juniors to take a credit-bearing college transition course, as well as receive mentorship in SAT preparation, library research and information literacy, according to Santiago.

All of the 18 rising high school seniors who participated in CORE last summer graduated from high school and are enrolled in college for Fall 2020. An additional 12 juniors participated.

This year the summer CORE program, normally a three-week residential program, will be virtual. The program intends to provide computers and connectivity to those participants who do not have them at home.

"In light of the online learning demands our students have encountered this spring semester, the virtual program will be no more than six hours a day," Santiago said.

UAlbany students will be hired as student assistants, tutors and mentors, and will work remotely.

CORE participants will receive curbside lunch delivery, and can participate in a virtual lunch hour to network with colleagues and the UAlbany student staff, and participate in wellness activities led by the student staff.

“We are tremendously grateful to our partners from NYSED, the Albany City School District and Bank of America, as well as to Senior Vice Provost and Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. William Hedberg, and the University administration, for making STEP a continued success,” Santiago said. “This grant will strengthen our partnership base with resources and expand opportunities for our students.”

Bank of America’s philanthropic arm has invested a total of $2 billion, including $250 million in 2019. STEP begins on July 13. Learn more about the program at https://www.albany.edu/oaae/step.shtml.