The Second-year Transformational Experience Program (STEP) is designed for Ohio State students to gain access to faculty outside their college and participate in both personal and professional exploration. Jasmine Roberts, Kaylea Annen, Kristie Sigler and Nancy Fisher are School of Communication faculty members serving as STEP mentors this year.

Each mentor has a cohort of about 20 students from a variety of majors and backgrounds, which allows the students to engage in activities on campus while also networking and developing friendships with a diverse group of students.

“If I can look back to my sophomore year, I totally get that feeling of feeling a little bit lost on campus,” Annen recalled. “STEP really gives students an opportunity to form a group of friends outside of any major, interest group or Greek organization who are in a similar place that they are.”

“It’s refreshing getting to see [the students] not stress about school,” Roberts explained. “STEP gives them a safe place to relax and not stress.”

These experiences outside of a classroom are one of the ways the STEP mentors get to truly connect with their students, without having the pressure of grading them at the end of the day.

“With this group of students, I don’t have to teach or have a set curriculum I have to accomplish,” Annen explained. “If we want to just take a week off and have a mental break, we can do that.”

The work students accomplish leads to the development of their STEP signature project, which upon completion, makes students eligible to receive $2,000 toward their project or interests. The funding can go toward study abroad fees, internship relocation or compensation, research stipends or other eligible projects. This makes it possible for students to pursue interests they might not be able to explore otherwise.

“It is a huge opportunity to get the financial advantage or support to travel abroad or take internships,” Fisher added.

The professors answered differently when asked about their favorite part about being a STEP mentor. Sigler said she enjoys watching friendships develop within her cohort and students become more comfortable talking honestly with the group. Similarly, Roberts finds it rewarding to see shy students open up to her and fellow students in the group. Annen enjoys getting to know the students’ unique viewpoints and perspectives.

For Fisher, her answer was simple: “I smile when I see my students,” she said.

The four faculty members have unique memories and experiences from their STEP involvement, but they all expressed gratitude for the impact it has had on their lives.

“I feel fortunate to even be apart of an opportunity like this,” Sigler said.

Article written by student Krista Bliumentalis