STEM-Focused Summer Program Gets Support from Bank of America

The University at Albany has received a $30,000 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 Albany City School District and the City of Albany’s Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP), seeks to prepare local high school students for STEM-related careers and licensed professions.

The grant will allow STEP to expand its program capacity for the 2019 session by ten placements, according to Mayra E. Santiago, director of the program through the University’s Office of Access & Academic Enrichment.

She said STEP’s summer institute will help nearly 100 students gain post-secondary academic skill sets and knowledge in STEM fields, research techniques, technology applications and college preparation.

The City of Albany’s SYEP matches qualified high school students to work with STEP-affiliated faculty, staff and student mentors at the University at Albany, according to Jonathan P. Jones, the Commissioner of Recreation, Youth & Workforce Services through the City of Albany.

“As one of SYEP’s participating work sites, UAlbany offers young people the unique opportunity to be immersed in a college environment while learning the necessary skills that they will need to succeed in the classroom, the workforce and beyond,” Jones said.

Bank of America actively invests in local nonprofit and academic organizations that are working to alleviate poverty and “create pathways to economic success” through advancing workforce development of the area’s youth, said Jennifer MacPhee, Market President for the Albany/Hudson Valley Region for Bank of America.

She said programs such as STEP and SYEP 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,” MacPhee said.

Experiencing College at UAlbany

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

She said CORE also allows students to participate in a residential experience on the University’s uptown campus.

“We are tremendously grateful to our partners from NYSED, the Albany City School District, the City of Albany and Bank of America for making STEP a continued success,” Santiago said. “This grant will strengthen our partnership base with resources and expand opportunities for our students.”

STEP begins on July 8. Learn more about the program.