The Office of Multicultural Affairs’ Rising 360° STEP is an undergraduate science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) program that is committed to increasing success amongst STEM students. STEP supports, empowers, and enhances the skills of STEM students working toward the completion of their undergraduate degree through a cohort-based model, mentorship, holistic framework, and connections with resources.

This program is open to all currently enrolled undergraduate students.

Join Rising 360° STEP

Incoming Students

  • Incoming students can connect with Rising 360° STEP through their admissions portal by accessing Learning, Excellence, and Achievement Pathways (LEAP) and selecting Rising 360°
  • After connecting with us through LEAP, our team will reach out to you with next steps and how you can select a cohort to join
  • Through the sign-up form that will be shared by our team, you can select the STEM Training and Excellence Program (STEP) as a cohort
  • After signing up for the STEP cohort, our team will connect you with our upcoming onboarding schedule or waitlist to sign up for a slot

Returning or Current Students

  • Returning or current students can join Rising 360°, STEP by completing the sign-up form linked below and selecting the STEM Training and Excellence Program (STEP) as a cohort
  • After signing up for the STEP cohort, our team will connect you with our upcoming onboarding schedule or waitlist to sign up for a slot

Timeline

  • Rising 360 Fall 2026 sign-ups close September 1.
  • Sign-ups for the Spring 2027 semester will open up December 1.

We invite you to stay connected with us by reaching out to multicultural_affairs@uml.edu, attending Rising 360 events, and following us on Instagram @uml_oma in between our sign-up cycles.

Sign-Ups for the Fall 2026 Semester Have Closed. 

For more information, please email: Alisa_Michel@uml.edu.

STEP students are required to complete "STEPs to Success" and a selected track curriculum each semester.

STEPs to Success are the campus-wide engagement actions required of each STEP cohort member. They are established to create a pathway toward academic success and support.

Through the selection of one of our STEP Tracks, students will be connected to resources and opportunities to gain skills and experiences both within OMA and across campus.

STEPs to Success

  • Academic support x6
  • Success coaching meeting with OMA staff
  • Connect with a Peer Leader x2
  • Attend a Rising 360, STEP event
  • Attend a Rising 360 event

STEP Track Options

  • Academic Excellence
    • Complete any 3 of the Academic Excellence track items
      • Syllabus Scavenger Hunt
      • Use the Prioritization Matrix
      • Academic Success Plan
      • Academic Success Coaching Meeting with OMA Staff
      • Build Your Semester Calendar
      • Set SMART Goals
      • Create a 5-Day Study Plan
  • Professional Development
    • Complete any 2 of the Professional Development track items
      • Attend a Career Fair Hosted by the Career and Co-Op Center
      • Meet with a Career Advisor from the Career and Co-Op Center
      • Create and Complete a Handshake Profile
      • Create and/or Revise Your Resume
      • Create and Complete a LinkedIn Profile
      • Attend Networking Within Your Major/College Night
      • Attend the STEM Alumni Panel
      • Attend Preparing to Apply for Graduate School
  • Research
    • Complete any 2 of the Research track items
      • Attend How to Get Started in Research - Student Panel
      • Attend a Research Workshop Hosted by the STEP Research Initiative and Roads to Research
      • Conduct Research on Campus
      • Create a Research Plan
      • Attend Prepariing to Apply for Graduate School

Areas of Focus

  • Increase academic excellence and retention of undergraduates in STEM
  • Enhance professional development amongst undergraduates in STEM
  • Broaden access and connections to resources
  • Facilitate pathways to research and skill building opportunities
  • Foster a sense of belonging and community amongst undergraduates in STEM

Benefits

  • Individualized support and resources through one-on-one success coaching
  • Enhanced campus connections and support systems 
  • Growth of academic excellence, professional development, and research skills
  • Increased confidence through success, mentorship, and community
  • Stronger sense of belonging in STEM

After joining the STEM Training and Excellence Program, students reported

  • 82% increase in their access to academic and other resources on campus 
  • 82% increase in support in ability to be successful in their major and prepare for the future
  • 70% of students in STEP have above a 3.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA)
  • 100% increase in mentorship
  • 184% increase in the effectiveness of their current study habits

Student Insights

“Being an undergraduate in STEM can be challenging. Joining Rising 360, STEP allowed me to increase my access to support and guidance throughout my journey.”
- Prince Green '27

“Rising 360, STEP helped me access information and resources on campus that I didn’t know existed to improve my academic foundation.”
- Bright Agyapong '27

“Rising 360, STEP motivated me to continue to put myself out there, achieve my academic goals, and participate in enriching activities through their fun interactive events.”
- Aanya Bharti '28

“Rising 360, STEP has greatly encouraged me to stay on top of my classes and seek resources that I didn’t know the school offered to better my education experience.”
- Isaac Muwanguzi '29

STEP Peer Leaders

  • Colin Benvenuto
    Colin Benvenuto
    Electrical Engineering, 2029

    Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) Training and Excellence Program Cohort

  • Julia Do
    Julia Do
    Computer Science, 2027

    Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) Training and Excellence Program Cohort

  • Prince Green
    Prince Green
    Biology, 2027

    Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) Training and Excellence Program Cohort