Strive Toward Excellence Program Background In 1988, the Firestone Trust Fund awarded The University of Akron a $3 million gift from which an endowment was established to create The Firestone Fellows Strive Toward Excellence Program, otherwise known as STEP.
The Strive Toward Excellence Program is a unique pre-college preparatory program designed for middle school students to promote their pursuit of a college degree. Students are inducted into STEP while they are enrolled in the sixth grade and are designated as "Firestone Fellows". They begin the challenging programming as seventh graders and remain in STEP for two years before progressing into the University's Upward Bound Program, which assists them through high school. Program graduates who attend The University of Akron are awarded scholarships. Program Objectives The Strive Toward Excellence Program is designed to provide students with the attitude, skills, support, and financial assistance to pursue and successfully attain a college degree by:
- Assisting students approaching adolescence to develop the positive self-identities necessary to resist pressure that devalues academic excellence.
- Assisting students to develop identifiable skills in writing, mathematics, and analytical thinking, which will enable them to enroll in the appropriate college-prep courses.
- Assisting parents with information and resources that provide support to their children in their preparation for a college education.
- Assisting students in financing their college education, through the awarding of annual scholarships.
Program Requirements Twenty students are selected each year from various Akron schools to be inducted into STEP. They must meet the following criteria to gain consideration to become a Firestone Fellow:
- Be enrolled in the sixth grade
- Have demonstrated an above average level of academic success
- Desire a college degree
- Obtain recommendations from designated school presonnel
- Complete an extensive application
- Participate in a face-to-face interview process that includes both the student and their parent/guardian
- Meet federal income and/or first generation college criteria (neither parent has earned a Bachelor's degree).
Summer Component During the six-week summer program, students will attend a rigorous academic program at The University of Akron. Monday through Friday students will receive daily instruction where they are provided multiple hands-on learning experiences in English, composition, mathematics, and the sciences. They attend additional courses in speech/debate, study skills, drama, dance, and swimming. All instructors work together throughout the summer to reinforce the importance and accessibility of a college education to the students. Academic Year Component During the academic year, students return to their regular schools and extensive follow-up is provided. School visitations are made each grading period by the program coordinator to review students' academic and social performance. Tutorial and enrichment opportunitites are established to further enhance the students' academic progress.
In addition, a series of ten mandatory workshops are provided for the Firestone Fellows and their parents. The workshop topics are designed to help both students and their parents during this adolescent adjustment period by focusing on academic and social/emotional issues. Some of the workshop topics are: Development of Positive Self-Images; Effects of Peer Pressure; College Preparatory Course Selections; and Cultural Awareness.
Throughout the year, field trips, cultural excursions, and recreational activities are provided to the students and where applicable, to thier parents. Additional Benefits Additional Program Benefits Include:
- Services of licensed couselor available for individual, group, and family couseling.
- Services of an academic couselor to provide educational plans as needed.
- Materials and supplies for program classes and activities provided by the program.
Contact Us Deborah G. Stone, Coordinator
Buckingham Center Suite 55
Akron, OH 44325-7910
330-972-6819 Office
330-972-8658 Fax
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