A Year in the Life of STEP

Photos by Anthony Yang, W’24

Successful Transition and Empowerment Program (STEP) is a four-year program that introduces students to important Wharton and Penn resources, fosters connection and community development, and helps members build skills to effectively navigate college, both academically and socially. 

“STEP truly made my transition into university, but specifically Wharton, so much smoother than I could’ve realized . . . It is as if I felt I was at an advantage by simply being part of this Pre-NSO program.” —Ailin Mendoza, W’27

  • A lively group of people on a dance floor in a dimly lit indoor setting, wearing formal and semi-formal attire.

    “Definitely a night to remember. Even after a busy semester and taking the time to get to know people outside of STEP reconnecting with STEPPERS as if the time never passed made me remember that I am still a part of a great community.” -Ailin Mendoza, W’27

  • A classroom setting with several individuals giving a presentation on "Venture Fellows" to an audience. Three large screens display text and images related to leadership, service, and training.

    McNulty Leadership Program presents during STEP Pre-NSO.

  • A couple of smiling individuals posing in a warmly lit indoor setting, possibly a restaurant or bar, with a blue-lit area in the background.

    “Absolutely a blast! STEP really takes care of STEPPERS. Once-in-a-lifetime experience to party on a yacht and meet more of the STEP community!” -Annie Liu, W’26 (not pictured)

  • A small group of people, casually dressed, is engaged in conversation and activity outdoors next to a brick building. One person has a backpack with a water bottle attached.

    STEP Tie-Dye Event

  • A classroom with students seated and interacting around tables covered with food and drinks. Two screens display a Kahoot game interface.

    STEP Family Dinner

  • A student wearing a hoodie sits smiling in a classroom, with a laptop and water bottle on the desk. Other students are seated behind, focused on writing.

    STEP Thanksgiving Brunch

  • A large group of people seated at round tables in a conference room setting, listening to a speaker at the front. The tables are set with drinks and dishware.

    STEP Pre-NSO dinner held at the Inn at Penn

  • A group of five people smiling and holding food in paper trays, standing outdoors on a cobblestone path with brick buildings and trees in the background.

    “I cherish the friendships I made from Pre-NSO with both other first-years and upper-level mentors I can count on. Pre-NSO gave me a head start exposure to life at Penn. ” -Rashmi Admala, W’27 (2nd from right)

  • A speaker addresses a classroom of students with a presentation that reads "Welcome Dr. Renita Miller." The setting is an academic environment.

    Dr. Renita Miller, Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer at Wharton, talks to students during STEP Pre-NSO.

  • A group of people dressed in formal attire, smiling and posing together in a celebratory or social event setting with dim lighting and a festive atmosphere.

    “It was my first time ever on a fancy boat. This night meant a lot because it was a time to see my STEP friends and have fun. College can be a really stressful time, and STEP’s always been a way for me to decompress and connect.” -Destiny Uviles, W’26

  • A large group of people in a lecture hall setting, sitting in curved rows, engaging in discussions. The room has presentation screens and note cards on desks.

    “The Pre-NSO experience was extraordinarily beneficial. From the seminars to the meals shared together to the friends made, the entire experience was a huge milestone in transitioning to Penn/Wharton as a whole. Without this time in STEP, I would not be where I am today.” -William Xi, W’27, Nu’27

  • A group of young people sitting at an outdoor table on a university campus, smiling and enjoying refreshments. The background includes trees, a fountain, and a brick building.

    STEP Pre-NSO Food Truck Festival at the Penn Museum

  • A group of people socializing in a classroom during a STEP dinner event. Two screens display a sign-in form with QR codes. Tables have food trays, and some people are seated or standing around.

    “Family dinners are an amazing way to reconnect with STEP members even with our busy schedules. I look forward to them at the end of a hectic day, and I can always count on family dinners to make me laugh!” -Rashmi Admala, W’27

  • A diverse group of people are sitting on outdoor steps, engaged in conversation. The scene is set in a campus-like environment with brick buildings and greenery in the background.

    “Pre-NSO discussions were pivotal in my Penn experience as I discovered that we as a community truly understand one another. It was the first time on campus I was fully able to open up, get vulnerable, and talk about ways to navigate life in college.” -Lisa Nnaji, W’25 (not pictured)

  • A large group of students wearing matching Wharton Global Youth Program t-shirts, gathered outdoors in front of a building with greenery.

    STEP students and mentors pose for a photo with Wharton Dean Erika James.

  • A large group of people smiling and posing together outdoors at night, under string lights, suggesting a social event or celebration.

    “The STEP Winter Formal was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience for me. In addition to having a wonderful time with the STEP family, getting to go on a boat for a formal felt surreal. Overall, I had a great time and would not recommend missing it.” -William Xi, W’27, Nu’27

  • A group of diverse individuals stands in front of a large screen displaying "Welcome to Citi" and "University of Pennsylvania Wharton STEP Program" in a modern conference room setting.

    Spring Career Trek to Citi

  • A couple of individuals smiling and posing in a classroom setting. They are sitting at a desk with a “Thankful” sign and are dressed warmly.

    “Thanksgiving Brunch speaks to STEP’s ability to foster and sustain relationships beyond pre-NSO. It was a lovely time of regrouping, catching up, and enjoying great food! It also fell on a pretty busy week for me, so it was a nice study break. ” -Amarachi Mbadugha, W’25, C’25 (not pictured)

  • Two people sitting on a colorful couch, one smiling and the other giving thumbs up, with a bright, striped wall behind them.

    Spring Career Trek to Nickelodeon

  • A person is giving a presentation in a lecture hall to a large group of students. The room has multiple screens displaying the topic "Guidelines for Discussion." Students are seated with laptops and notebooks.

    STEP Pre-NSO Broadening Your Perspective Workshop

  • A group of people is engaged in a playful outdoor activity, possibly tie-dyeing shirts, as dye bottles and clothing are visible on a table.

    A water balloon fight broke out at the STEP Tie-Dye Event.

  • A large group of people seated in a conference room, engaged in a panel discussion. Several individuals on the right hold microphones, suggesting they are panelists speaking to the audience.

    STEP Pre-NSO is a three-day event that includes dinner and networking.

  • A person posing with a bright neon "Nickelodeon" sign on an orange wall, behind a white and green reception desk.

    “This was amazing! I was able to connect to one of the analysts by email and he reached out to me! A great experience to go to NY too!” – Annie Liu, W’26

  • A person in a white jacket is speaking to an audience in a lecture hall, with "Introducing The Vice Dean" displayed on two screens behind them. A small group is seated and listening.

    Dr. Diana Robertson, Vice Dean of the Wharton Undergraduate Division, welcomes students during STEP Pre-NSO.

  • A small group of people smiling and wearing coats, with a nighttime cityscape and a bridge in the background, reflecting on the water.

    STEP Winter Formal on the Spirit of Philadelphia Cruise Ship

  • A large group of people in a lecture hall, with several wearing matching shirts, likely participating in a presentation or seminar. A person is speaking at the podium, and screens display the topic "Social Programming."

    “STEP truly made my transition into university, but specifically Wharton, so much smoother than I could’ve realized. Not only did I create amazing memories and was guided by mentors but also I made friendships that I don’t think I’ll ever forget.” -Ailin Mendoza, W’27

Image: Jaein Kim, W’25

Originally from New York City, Anthony Yang, W’24, is a member of STEP and documented programmatic events from fall 2022 through summer 2023.

“I documented STEP because I wanted to capture moments that others can enjoy – more of giving back to a community that gave so much to me. This was a major reason why I got into photography in the first place.” —Anthony Yang

Yang is concentrating in real estate at Wharton. After graduation, he will be working for real estate private equity company Affinius Capital in New York City.