Summer Transitional Enrichment Program (STEP) is a summer-bridge residential program that provides incoming EOP students with an in-depth orientation to university life and campus resources. As partners in learning, students enroll in writing and mathematics courses taught by faculty and graduate students. Additionally, students participate in a seminar course designed to promote their critical thinking in reading and writing and in group discussions, while learning how their social, cultural and life experiences contributes to ways to enrich their college experiences and cultivate a sense of belonging to a university community. Evening programs and workshops provide opportunities to learn outside the classroom and to engage students toward an understanding of college life and how to be life long learners.

EOP Counseling Support Services assist students in clarifying their academic, career, financial, and personal concerns. Students are referred to other departmental professionals when necessary. Counselors work with students individually or in workshops designed to address student issues throughout the year. The following are examples of group programming topics: academic advising,relationship concerns, transfer/re-entry transition issues, and graduate school and career preparation. These activities are often co-sponsored with other departments. In addition, staff may serve as campus-required advisors to one or more student organizations or pre-professional interest groups.

Cultural Services and Resource Centers celebrates diversity though its African American, American Indian, Asian American and Chicano/Latino Cultural Services and cultural centers. Each cultural service and their affiliated student organizations design programs and events around each community’s cultural calendar. Cultural programs encourage students to engage in activities that serve to enrich their academic experience,and increases their awareness, understanding and appreciation for their own and other culture(s).

EOP Student Mentors are comprised of currently enrolled UCSB students who are trained to work as a team with EOP Counselors to assist new frosh, transfer and re-entry students adapt both academically and socially to the University setting. Student Mentors also work with continuing students in their preparation for the job market or graduate/professional school planning activities. They are familiar with campus life, student organizations and support services and play a primary role in getting EOP students to utilize EOP and campus resources.

Academic Mentorships provide students with opportunities to participate in research projects with faculty. The goal is to increase the number of students pursuing advanced degrees and selecting academia as a career option. EOP works closely with the Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities Office in the College of Letters and Science to assist students in finding opportunities for research. For more information, visit: www.lsugeducation.ucsb.edu/urca

EOP is committed to student scholarly endeavors at a national rank research institution such as UCSB by collaborating with faculty interest to mentor, advise and expose students to research and internship opportunities.