First Step Summer Institute




For more information, contact Program Coordinator Shvonne Johnson
shvonnejohnson@stkate.edu

First Step Summer Institute is a unique college immersion experience helping to prepare young women of color from around the state of Minnesota for higher education. The First Step Institute provides hands-on experience in college life. Participants are able to experience actual college class and residential life settings as well as explore their career interests and job options. Students meet other young women of color from throughout Minnesota while experiencing college life, learning about financial aid and scholarship opportunities, and preparing college applications. The curriculum is designed to prepare students to explore and identify career options, build study skills, work with college faculty, staff and students, and interact with the community. The program enables students to get a step up and a step ahead in making a successful transition from high school to college.

Each summer, First Step runs two, one-week sessions. During the summer of 2007, a total of 48 girls participated. Through the leadership of Shvonne L. Johnson, Outreach Coordinator of Multicultural and International Programs and Services, the girls were able to make personal connections on the College of St. Catherine campus, meeting professors, faculty and staff. Since its inception in 1999, First Step has helped many young women conceptualize and navigate college life. Over the past two years alone, 86 people have attended the Institute, 27 of whom are currently students at the College of St. Catherine. For more information, visit the First Step Institute.