STEP College-Prep Program

STEP College-Prep Program STEP educates & empowers low-income Arizona high schoolers to enroll in & graduate from college.

We believe every student deserves to succeed in applying for college, securing scholarships, navigating transitions, and advocating for themselves.

Interested in medicine, chemistry, biology, or research? There are a lot more career paths in science than you might rea...
10/08/2026

Interested in medicine, chemistry, biology, or research? There are a lot more career paths in science than you might realize.

Chris Flores—who many of you might recognize from his STEP takeovers—is a great example of how internships and research experiences can help you explore them.

After graduating from Williams College this summer with degrees in Chemistry and Biology and a minor in Public Health, Chris joined UC San Francisco as a Junior Specialist in Pharmaceutical Chemistry, where he’s gaining research experience before pursuing an MD/PhD.

Along the way, he’s conducted research at Harvard Medical School/Massachusetts General Hospital, presented his work internationally in Spain, and studied how compounds in citrus may contribute to pain-relieving effects.

Chris says STEP helped him see “what was possible.” from attending college out of state to having the confidence to pursue opportunities that took him even farther.

We’ve loved following Chris’s journey through his STEP takeovers, and we can’t wait to see where it takes him next. 💙

Interested in economics, data, or how businesses actually work? Here’s one career path you might not have considered…STE...
10/06/2026

Interested in economics, data, or how businesses actually work? Here’s one career path you might not have considered…

STEP alum Itza Urrutia is currently working in Business Operations at the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis getting firsthand experience inside an organization that plays an important role in the U.S. economy.

Itza graduated from Lafayette College this past summer with a degree in Economics and a minor in Data Science, becoming the first in her family to graduate from college.

For students still figuring out what they might want to do, Itza’s path is a great reminder to look beyond the job titles you already know. Your classes, internships, and interests can introduce you to careers you may not have known existed.

Her advice? “Be your most authentic self and push yourself beyond the means of your own potential. Most importantly, don’t be afraid to take risks!”

We’re excited to see where Itza goes next and what professional careers you choose to explore. 💙

From Chandler High School to international climate research 🌎STEP alum Jack Helms-Galbraith graduated from the Universit...
09/25/2026

From Chandler High School to international climate research 🌎

STEP alum Jack Helms-Galbraith graduated from the University of Portland in 2026 with a degree in Environmental Ethics & Policy and a minor in Social Justice, earning the university’s Arthur Schoenfeldt C.S.C. Award for Environmental Ethics and Policy.

While at Portland, Jack helped research why countries fall short on international climate finance commitments. His team presented their work at an International Studies Association conference in Pretoria, South Africa — and is now turning the research into an academic book. 📚

Jack is currently preparing for the LSAT with plans to pursue environmental law. He also spent this past summer touring with Drum Corps International!

Congratulations, Jack! We can’t wait to see where you go next. 💙

From Flowing Wells High School to Tufts University — and now law school in New York City. 🎓⚖️STEP alum Alex DeBellis gra...
09/23/2026

From Flowing Wells High School to Tufts University — and now law school in New York City. 🎓⚖️

STEP alum Alex DeBellis graduated from Tufts University in 2020 with a degree in Child Study and Human Development and is now a third-year law student at CUNY School of Law.

After spending the summer as a legal intern with the Women’s Rights Program at The Advocates for Human Rights, Alex was selected as a Pro Bono Scholar — a competitive program that allows New York law students to take the bar exam early and dedicate their final semester to full-time pro bono work.

Next up: Alex plans to join The Legal Aid Society’s Domestic Violence Immigration Unit, continuing to use her education in service of others.

We’re proud to see where STEP alumni go — and even prouder to see the impact they make when they get there. 💙

Way to go, Alex!

After a grueling 20-mile day of kayaking, Brian and his group still had one more task: find water.Exhausted, they pushed...
09/14/2026

After a grueling 20-mile day of kayaking, Brian and his group still had one more task: find water.

Exhausted, they pushed forward together. Brian remembers the relief of finally finding it and how much the group bonded through the struggle.

“The biggest lesson I learned was that you control your situation and your attitude towards it.”

Brian returned home procrastinating less, overthinking less, and focusing more on what he can control. “I feel that I can go anywhere I want in the world,” he shared. 💙

For Mayrinne, one of the most memorable days during the STEP Alaskan Expedition involved kayaking to see glaciers, then ...
09/01/2026

For Mayrinne, one of the most memorable days during the STEP Alaskan Expedition involved kayaking to see glaciers, then hiking across slippery, rocky terrain to get closer. She remembers washing her face with clear glacier water and standing near something that felt “sacred and breathtaking.”

But one of her biggest discoveries was about herself as a leader.

“I learned that I don’t need to adjust to others when I am leading. I am capable of finding my own style of leading even when others do it differently.”

It’s a lesson she plans to carry into future classrooms, workplaces, and leadership opportunities. 💙

Could your tears help diagnose disease? 👀🔬 That’s exactly what today’s takeover is about — hosted by STEP alum Chris, wh...
08/25/2026

Could your tears help diagnose disease? 👀🔬 That’s exactly what today’s takeover is about — hosted by STEP alum Chris, who’s gone from STEP scholar to presenting his research on an international stage.

Tune into our IG Stories to hear about his work at the International Society of Eye Research — and submit your questions about his college, post-college, or research journey!

From Chandler High to presenting research in South Africa. 🌍🎓STEP alum Jack Helms-Galbraith graduated from the Universit...
08/25/2026

From Chandler High to presenting research in South Africa. 🌍🎓

STEP alum Jack Helms-Galbraith graduated from the University of Portland this year after studying Environmental Ethics & Policy. His research on international climate finance was presented at a conference in Pretoria — and is now being developed into an academic book.

“I am currently in a gap year where I will study for and take the LSAT, with the primary goal of going to law school for environmental law.”

We’ll be cheering him on for whatever comes next. 💙

STEP alumna Lauren Badinger is officially a published researcher. Lauren recently became second author on a paper publis...
08/19/2026

STEP alumna Lauren Badinger is officially a published researcher. Lauren recently became second author on a paper published in Ecosphere, based on a study she led while working at Saguaro National Park.

A 2020 Palo Verde High School graduate and 2024 Swarthmore College graduate, Lauren has turned her environmental studies degree into a career protecting and studying Arizona’s national parks. Her work has included monitoring desert tortoises, surveying rare plants, managing invasive species, tracking erosion and air quality, analyzing cave microclimates—and yes, studying bats. 🦇

“I am forever grateful to STEP for opening academic doors for me that allowed me to pursue this career path!”
Congratulations, Lauren! We’re so proud to see where your path has taken you. 💙

We’re looking for a new Project Manager in the Phoenix area and applications are DUE TONIGHT at midnight! In this role, ...
08/17/2026

We’re looking for a new Project Manager in the Phoenix area and applications are DUE TONIGHT at midnight! In this role, you will:
🚀 organize and co-lead STEP’s monthly college-prep workshops
🚀 advise students throughout the college preparation and application process from sophomore through senior year
🚀 communicate with and educate parents on the financial aid process
🚀 research and develop student and alumni resources
🚀 and more!

Interested in learning more and applying? Link in bio and IG story!

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5021 North 20th Street
Phoenix, AZ
85016

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