STEP this week 9/28-10/2

Dear STEP Students,

I hope this email finds you well. We have a few announcements this week:

• The Hispanic Women’s Conference is this Thursday and Friday on October 1 & 2. This is an opportunity available for all women in the STEP program. The conference will have many valuable sessions including “Managing Workplace Dynamics,” “Personal Mission Statement,” “Health & Wellness,” “Securing Your Financial Future,” and many more topics. On Friday, October 2 Michelle Obama has been invited to address the conference at the Scholarship Benefit Luncheon. Even if you can only come for one day, stop by the STEP Office and sign up! Thursday, October 1 we will leave campus at 8:30 and return by 4:30. Friday, we will leave at 8:00 and return by 2:30 p.m. This Conference counts as 1 Personal Development Unit toward Grant Aid. Stop by and sign up.
• Progress Reports are due in the STEP Office by Friday, October 2 by 2 p.m. Please take the Progress Report to your professors beginning the week of September 28. Please remember turning in a Progress Report is REQUIRED of all currently enrolled STEP students. Please stop by the STEP Office to pick up a form if you don’t have one or email me back to request the form.
• Grant Aid Applications are now available in the STEP Office. Grant Aid is additional funding available for STEP students for the Spring semester. Awards are competitive. If you received Grant Aid in the past, you will need to re-apply as Grant Aid is a one-time award. If you are currently receiving a Pell Grant, stop by the STEP Office to learn about Grant Aid. You may be eligible to receive a minimum of $890 for the Spring semester in funding from STEP in addition to your financial aid!
• We are pleased to offer evening advising every Wednesday until 7 p.m.. Laura Smith, the STEP Academic Advisor is available to help you with your academic advising needs. Please stop by the office or call Laura to set up an appointment 602.305.5683. If you are planning on graduating and transferring in the Spring 2010 or Fall 2010 it is extremely important that you come in to meet with Laura as soon as you can to get the Graduation checklist. Don’t miss out on important deadlines just because you didn’t know about them!
• Mark your calendar! Friday, October 9 we will visit ASU West Campus. Stop by the STEP Office to fill out field trip paperwork to secure your spot if you are interested in attending. Space is limited.
• If you have checked out a laptop from the STEP Program, please make sure you return it on time. If your laptop is not returned on time, a $2,000 charge may be put on your student account and/or your laptop borrowing privileges may be suspended. Check the due date on your contract and return the laptops on time!
• We are considering adding a tour to Ottawa and or the University of Advancing Technology this Fall or in the Spring 2010. Please email me back if you would be interested in visiting. Please indicate if you would be interested in a tour in the Fall or Spring.
• If you accidentally picked up something that looks like a travel drive from the desktop computer in the STEP Conference Room, please bring it back ASAP. This small device is needed to run our new wireless keyboard and mouse. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE return this to the STEP Office at once if you find it.
• Did you know that STEP offers free application waivers to ASU, NAU and U of A? Stop by the office to learn more information.

Hope you have a great week!