Discover the impact of our programs through the voices of our community. From parents to current students and alumni, these stories highlight the experiences and outcomes that shape our college.
STEPUP Engineering Student Testimonials
“The most valuable thing I got out of STEPUP was the ability to meet like-minded people in a close-knit environment. STEPUP introduced me to my closest friends of which, even in my 3rd year here, I still spend almost every day with. Whether it’s taking classes together, looking into internship or research opportunities, deciding what design teams to be a part of, or just having someone to hang out with, the friends I met in STEPUP have been there every single step of the way. Having the opportunity to make high-quality friends that have lasted through my entire time at UF has made my college experience so much better both academically and personally.”
–J. M . Electrical Engineering Student
STEPUP Cohort 29, STAR Mentor for STEPUP 30 Cohort
“Although I joined STEPUP as a mentor after my 2nd year at UF, I learned so much from the program that I still use every day academically and professionally. Apart from the technical knowledge, the program gave me direct leadership, conflict/resolution, and teamwork experiences that I have directly utilized in internships and work at UF. I’ve had multiple interviewers comment on how impressive it is that I was able to learn such valuable lessons while still an undergraduate student. I owe STEPUP for instilling in me the confidence to do things like lead teams where I’m the youngest member by a decade, tackle projects in my internship that others have told me would be impossible, and walk into interviews with the assurance that I’m fully capable of earning the role.”
–M. S. Industrial & Systems Engineering Student
STAR Mentor for the STEPUP 30 Cohort
“Being a STAR Mentor with the STEPUP program has helped me improve my UF Engineering Journey by connecting me with other students who I continue to spend time and work on engineering projects. I was also prepared well for my study abroad program in Ireland because of the structure of STEPUP…”
–M.C. Mechanical Engineering Student
STAR Mentor for the STEPUP 30 Cohort
“STEPUP was my first real introduction to engineering leadership at UF. Through one of the summer tabling events, I met SHPE, which led me to apply for my first leadership position as social media Director. That initial opportunity opened the door to multiple executive roles, including directing large-scale industry engagement events such as BBQ with Industry, where I coordinated logistics for career fairs serving 100 to 200+ students and corporate partners. The confidence to pursue those roles began with the exposure and encouragement I received through STEPUP.
The company tours and professional development programming gave me the confidence to initiate conversations with engineers and recruiters early in my college career. That experience directly contributed to my ability to secure my first internship at NextEra Energy. STEPUP normalized professional spaces for me before I officially stepped into them.
Equally meaningful have been the relationships. Seeing former Steppers step into campus leadership roles showed me that those positions were attainable. Many of the peers I collaborate with today, including fellow ASCE leaders and even my current roommate, are individuals I first met through STEPUP. The program created a network that has continued to grow with me.
STEPUP gave me both a head start and a framework for how to approach leadership, mentorship, and professional development. I am incredibly grateful for that foundation.
Thank you again for your continued support…”
–D.R. Civil and Coastal Engineering Student
STEPUP 30 Cohort participant
“Through my pursuit of experiential learning opportunities, I have focused on exploring research positions and getting involved in engineering student organizations and design teams. StepUp has been particularly influential in helping me navigate these paths. Through the program, I was introduced to Professor Michael Tonks and became aware of the research he was conducting in his lab. This not only broadened my understanding of the field but also empowered me with the confidence to reach out and communicate with him directly, a circumstance that led to my opportunity to join his lab. Furthermore, participation in the [STEPUP Student Organizational Fair] brought me knowledge about a number of engineering design teams that were on campus, such as Solar Gators, many of which I had been unfamiliar with. By participating in this event, my awareness of hands-on and collaborative projects on campus was enhanced. All in all, StepUp has played a meaningful role in helping me discover and pursue experiences that support my growth academically and professionally.”
–C.M. Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Student
STEPUP 31 Cohort mentee
“Enrolling in a large university can feel overwhelming. You are immersed in an environment with abundant opportunities, and it’s hard to figure out where to begin. STEPUP has been instrumental in helping me navigate this transition and adjustment to college. Through this program, I learned how to network and confidently present myself. I gained exposure to professionals across multiple fields and learned about research opportunities, design teams, and engineering student organizations. Most importantly, I found a community of driven, supportive, like-minded peers that will be with me long after the program ends.”
–V.S. Electrical and Computer Engineering Student
STEPUP Cohort 31 mentee
Proud Parent Testimonials
“The STEPUP program has proven to be an excellent experience for my son, providing not only a great academic exposure to the world of engineering, but a wonderful initiation into life on his own, with the support of great mentorship and caring staff. Thanks to STEPUP for a terrific start!”
“My oldest son has graduated with a degree in electrical engineering. And received a job offer from Intel. I believe the confidence he felt originated from all the support that came from the people associated with the STEPUP program. I am very grateful that UF has such a wonderful program and hope that it continues for a long time to come.”
“The STEPUP program has been a benefit to my sons in many important ways. My sons have appreciated the smaller setting that introduced them to the University of Florida campus and the opportunity this created for them to form lasting friendships. They have also appreciated the realistic exposure to the faculty, courses, and coursework in the engineering program and the emphasis that was given to the importance of working together as a group to achieve a common goal. I, as a parent, can also see the maturity in their judgment as they become more confident in their decision-making and more self-assured in their abilities. To all involved, I can only say THANK YOU!”
“As a mother of three boys who have attended the STEPUP program, I have nothing but praise for the entire team that makes STEPUP a success. When my first son left the nest to enter such a large school as UF, having the STEPUP program was a great comfort to me.
The program allowed my sons to leave home and still always have a wonderfully supportive network of people available to them. The support network made them feel like a part of something, and the connections made that first summer have stayed with them throughout their college careers.”
“Our daughter was a senior at a small Catholic high school in Miami. The oldest of our three children was facing the college decision. At the time, universities such as Vanderbilt, Duke, and Davidson had offered her substantial scholarship and financial aid packages. We were looking for a university with a small student population and campus life where our daughter would receive attention and be able to get involved. We realized that we did not have the financial means to supplement our daughter’s financial aid packages and began to consider universities in Florida. We focused right away on the University of Florida. There was no doubt in our minds that UF was academically our best choice. Our greatest fear was its size. Months later, our daughter received an invitation to attend an intense summer program — STEPUP, sponsored by the College of Engineering. ‘Intense’ is a mild word to describe STEPUP. This program was a boot camp that prepared her for challenging academic courses like calculus and chemistry. It gave her the means to direct — in a responsible way — her newly established independence and provided her with a community of friends and tutors.”
“The STEPUP program offered the best transition possible for a high school student going into a rigorous engineering college program. It taught my daughter how to juggle competing demands for her time and still ensure the important things got done — like schoolwork. It helped her ease into being independent by providing some structure and support. Best of all, she met her best friends through the program. As the mother of another teenager getting ready for college, I just wish there were an equivalent program for non-engineering majors.”
“My daughter benefited so much from STEPUP. It allowed her to transition from the high school environment to college life with ease. She was able to meet friends during the summer STEPUP session and also learn the campus and how things work at UF. That gave her the confidence to tackle her first semester. She made lasting friendships and developed a connection with the faculty of the College of Engineering that empowered her to continue in the engineering track. STEPUP was absolutely crucial to her sticking to this highly challenging program of study. She has become a mature, poised, confident, and capable engineering student because of the foundation laid in the STEPUP summer session. Without it,t she may have lost her footing and changed her path. Thank you for this valuable program. I highly recommend it to all who are offered this unique opportunity to excel.”
STEPUP Alum in Industry
“STEPUP has benefited me in numerous ways. The summer component catalyzed my success as I progressed through my civil engineering degree. Those experiences truly prepared my cohort and me to embody the qualities of the “New Engineer” envisioned by our college. From industry exposure and research opportunities to rigorous academic preparation, STEPUP provided a comprehensive foundation that introduced me to the many facets of engineering.
This exposure directly led to a summer research internship after my freshman year, followed by multiple industry internships, and ultimately, full funding to attend graduate school. The dividends of STEPUP continue to pay off, as the program instilled in me both resilience and a commitment to excellence—core values that align perfectly with those of my current company, ExxonMobil.”
–Ruben Jean, P.E.
Business Team Lead, MASE Storage