Student Transition and Engagement Program

The Student Transition & Engagement Program (STEP)

helps foster academic and career success in first and
second year, low-income students at Salem State
University through intentional programming and
mentorship (STEP, 2018).

Survey Administration:
37% response rate and 85% of
respondents completed the
entire survey.
Council for the
Advancement of STEP LEARNING OUTCOMES
Standards in Higher
Student
Education
Learning and
Development
Relate to
institutional
mission and
goals
Improvement of
program and
Learning Outcome #1
services
Connect Students to three resources:
Students identified the following most often:
- Center for Academic Excellence
- Navigation Center
THEMES - Counseling and Health Services
- Career Services

Learning Outcome #2
Development of 3 Leadership Characteristics:
The top skills developed were:
- Being a Leader
- Time management
- Empathy
- Relationship Building

Learning Outcome #3
Skills learned for post-graduation plans
The top post-graduation plans were:
- Graduate School
- Full-time Job
Application of Information
In part, because of STEP:
• 100% of participants (14) were able to identify 3 campus resources that they referred their
mentees to and of those that referred, they did so mainly due to their students’ needs
• 100% of participants were able to identify at least 1 leadership characteristic
• 21% of participants were able to identify at least 3 leadership characteristics
• 100% of participants said they feel comfortable giving their mentees advice on academic
and non-academic issues
• 57% of participants said this was a direct skill learned through attending required trainings

Learning Outcome 1:
Peer mentors referred students to various
resources. A majority of peer mentors could
indicate 3 resources they had referred mentees
to.

Learning Outcome 2:
A small percentage of students indicated that they
gained at least 3 leadership characteristics. One
student was able to identify more than 3 leadership
characteristics whereas the majority of students
were able to identify 2 leadership characteristics.
Therefore, learning outcome 2 was not met.

Learning Outcome 3:
The top 3 skills students identified were gain
confidence, make connections with peer and make
connections with staff, which accounted for 93% of
students.
21% of students indicated that STEP allowed them to
explore career options, therefore learning outcome 3
was met, but a goal of the program was not.