STEP College-Prep Program

From Chandler High School to international climate research 🌎

STEP alum Jack Helms-Galbraith graduated from the University of Portland in 2026 with a degree in Environmental Ethics & Policy and a minor in Social Justice, earning the university’s Arthur Schoenfeldt C.S.C. Award for Environmental Ethics and Policy.

While at Portland, Jack helped research why countries fall short on international climate finance commitments. His team presented their work at an International Studies Association conference in Pretoria, South Africa — and is now turning the research into an academic book. 📚

Jack is currently preparing for the LSAT with plans to pursue environmental law. He also spent this past summer touring with Drum Corps International!

Congratulations, Jack! We can’t wait to see where you go next. 💙

From Flowing Wells High School to Tufts University — and now law school in New York City. 🎓⚖️

STEP alum Alex DeBellis graduated from Tufts University in 2020 with a degree in Child Study and Human Development and is now a third-year law student at CUNY School of Law.

After spending the summer as a legal intern with the Women’s Rights Program at The Advocates for Human Rights, Alex was selected as a Pro Bono Scholar — a competitive program that allows New York law students to take the bar exam early and dedicate their final semester to full-time pro bono work.

Next up: Alex plans to join The Legal Aid Society’s Domestic Violence Immigration Unit, continuing to use her education in service of others.

We’re proud to see where STEP alumni go — and even prouder to see the impact they make when they get there. 💙

Way to go, Alex!

After a grueling 20-mile day of kayaking, Brian and his group still had one more task: find water.

Exhausted, they pushed forward together. Brian remembers the relief of finally finding it and how much the group bonded through the struggle.

“The biggest lesson I learned was that you control your situation and your attitude towards it.”

Brian returned home procrastinating less, overthinking less, and focusing more on what he can control. “I feel that I can go anywhere I want in the world,” he shared. 💙

For Mayrinne, one of the most memorable days during the STEP Alaskan Expedition involved kayaking to see glaciers, then hiking across slippery, rocky terrain to get closer. She remembers washing her face with clear glacier water and standing near something that felt “sacred and breathtaking.”

But one of her biggest discoveries was about herself as a leader.

“I learned that I don’t need to adjust to others when I am leading. I am capable of finding my own style of leading even when others do it differently.”

It’s a lesson she plans to carry into future classrooms, workplaces, and leadership opportunities. 💙

Could your tears help diagnose disease? 👀🔬 That’s exactly what today’s takeover is about — hosted by STEP alum Chris, who’s gone from STEP scholar to presenting his research on an international stage.

Tune into our IG Stories to hear about his work at the International Society of Eye Research — and submit your questions about his college, post-college, or research journey!

From Chandler High to presenting research in South Africa. 🌍🎓

STEP alum Jack Helms-Galbraith graduated from the University of Portland this year after studying Environmental Ethics & Policy. His research on international climate finance was presented at a conference in Pretoria — and is now being developed into an academic book.

“I am currently in a gap year where I will study for and take the LSAT, with the primary goal of going to law school for environmental law.”

We’ll be cheering him on for whatever comes next. 💙

STEP alumna Lauren Badinger is officially a published researcher. Lauren recently became second author on a paper published in Ecosphere, based on a study she led while working at Saguaro National Park.

A 2020 Palo Verde High School graduate and 2024 Swarthmore College graduate, Lauren has turned her environmental studies degree into a career protecting and studying Arizona’s national parks. Her work has included monitoring desert tortoises, surveying rare plants, managing invasive species, tracking erosion and air quality, analyzing cave microclimates—and yes, studying bats. 🦇

“I am forever grateful to STEP for opening academic doors for me that allowed me to pursue this career path!”
Congratulations, Lauren! We’re so proud to see where your path has taken you. 💙

We’re looking for a new Project Manager in the Phoenix area and applications are DUE TONIGHT at midnight! In this role, you will:
🚀 organize and co-lead STEP’s monthly college-prep workshops
🚀 advise students throughout the college preparation and application process from sophomore through senior year
🚀 communicate with and educate parents on the financial aid process
🚀 research and develop student and alumni resources
🚀 and more!

Interested in learning more and applying? Link in bio and IG story!

This past weekend marked STEP’s first workshop of the new school year — and we kicked things off with a pretty incredible group of guests.

Admissions representatives from 10 highly selective colleges and universities joined us in Phoenix and Tucson to meet with 104 STEP seniors and 118 juniors. Students got an inside look at each school, heard advice on navigating the college application process, asked plenty of questions, and connected with reps in small-group conversations — over pizza!!

A huge thank you to WashU Bowdoin College Williams College Smith College Colgate University Carleton College Amherst College Swarthmore College , Pomona College and Lafayette College for spending the day with our students and helping us start the school year strong.

This summer, Wendy went to Alaska with NOLS and STEP 1, where she challenged herself in the wilderness while building meaningful connections with her fellow STEPPERs.

Some of Wendy’s favorite memories happened around camp dinners. Each cook group prepared a different dish—from cheesy bread to brownies—and everyone gathered to share a meal, answer questions, and enjoy each other’s company.

“The biggest lesson I learned was that it’s OK to be unsure or ask for help,” Wendy shared. “Everyone is struggling in some way, and being more open with your own emotions or struggles provides chances for learning and to grow closer together rather than keeping all of your issues to yourself.”

Looking ahead to college, Wendy says the experience gave her confidence that she can thrive in an unfamiliar environment while building new friendships along the way.

Wendy asked to give a special thank you to instructors, Julio, Leya, and Chris, as well as the generous donors who made this life-changing experience possible. 💙