Internships, Mentored Research, Study Abroad, and Leadership Development rest at the heart of ABAC’s mission to provide students with relevant experiences that prepare them for life after graduation. In support of these opportunities, ABAC offers a full suite of Student Engagement (STEPS) Programs. Through active participation in the STEPS program, students can expect to apply their academic work in practical ways, participate in impactful events that develop professional skills, and grow through various engaged learning experiences.
Engaged learning opportunities play a key role in every student’s educational experience at ABAC. It’s these experiences that set ABAC apart from other colleges and universities!
ABAC developed the STEPS Program as part of their Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) in 2017 with a focus on study abroad programs, mentored research opportunities with ABAC faculty, and in-the-field internships. In 2022, the STEPS program added an additional focus on leadership development that seeks to provide students with professional development opportunities beginning in their first year at ABAC. Through participation in each facet of the STEPS program, ABAC students can expect to develop knowledge, skills, and abilities critical to career and post-graduate success. Students will develop problem-solving skills, demonstrate their ability to apply classroom knowledge in real-world settings and develop strong leadership skills that will carry into the professional world.
The STEPS student learning outcomes are:
- Students will communicate discipline content using conventions appropriate to a specific audience and purpose. (Verbal and Written Communication Skills)
- Students will demonstrate the skills, abilities, theories, or methodologies applied in new situations to solve problems or explore issues. (Problem-Solving Skills)
The goals of STEPS are the following:
- STEPS will provide adequate resources, tools, support, and guidance to its students and faculty to facilitate engaged learning experiences;
- STEPS will increase the number of students doing internships, completing mentored research projects, studying abroad, and actively participating in regular professional and leadership development opportunities.
