This document provides an agenda and overview for a First Step summer program. It outlines the schedule which includes workshops on college preparation topics, team building activities, and a graduation ceremony. Expectations are shared that students will be respectful, engaged, and take responsibility. Housing and meal logistics are also covered. The program aims to help underrepresented students feel confident in their transition to higher education.

2. Agenda
 Welcome
 Introductions
 First Step Overview: Workshops, Dress, & Expectations
 Conversation Activity
 Drop Off & Pick Up Information
 Graduation Information
 Breakout Session: Names & Games
 Q & A

3. What Makes our program unique?
*To provide participants with the knowledge, tools, support and encouragement
to make a successful transition from high school to college, regardless of what
school you choose to attend.
* To help prepare you academically, socially, and emotionally for what you will
encounter in higher education.
*The program focuses in on your developmental needs, including aspects of
their identity formation as women of color and/or indigenous women.

4. In regard to our program, participants feeling statistically significant
higher confidence in :
• Understanding of the college application process
• Understanding of managing college debt
• Understanding of the ACT
• Understanding of the financial aid process
• Understanding of their career goals and choosing a major
• Understanding of how to manage their personal finances in college and
debt later in life
• Recognizing and valuing others’ personalities
• Their ability to value others’ perspectives
• Their ability to praise others for their work
• Their ability to belong in a community of color
• Their ability to share their feelings with peers
Assessed Outcomes

5.  Position: St. Kate’s
Community Outreach
Coordinator
 Major: Social Work
 St. Catherine University, ‘12
First Step Coordinator:
Kimberly Muñoz

6. First Step Staff Responsibilities
 Excite students about higher education
 Ensure student safety and well being
 Offer students practical tools to understand and navigate college life
 Encourage the development of self-esteem and confidence in students
 Nurture a community that values caring and respect and accountability
 Empower students
 Facilitate fun!

7. Session 1- Student Coordinator
Anna Lee  Year: 3rd year
 Major: Biology
 Involvement: Asian Women's Association
(AWA), Southeast Asian Student
Association (SEASA), College Possible
 Hobbies: Cooking, fishing, walking,
painting
 What advice would you give to your high
school self? Don't let all the opportunities
pass you by, challenge yourself. You never
know unless you try. It's never too late to
start something.

8. Anna’s Mentees
First Session
 Hawi
 Istahil
 Leala
 Hannah
 Ashantty
 Lizeth

9. Session 1- Student Coordinator:
Andrea Duarte  Year: Senior
 Major: Political Science
 Involvement: Young Women's
Initiative Cabinet; Her Campus;
Student Senate; Ignite; 1,000 Dreams
Fund; MN Youth Collective; and MPR
Youth Council.
 Hobbies: Blogging, watching women
empowering shows, working-out.
 What advice would you give to your
high school self?
“Ask questions! Don't be afraid of
asking someone a question (about
anything) because you'll feel like you're
going to bother them or it'll be a dumb
question.”

10. Andrea’s Mentees
Second Session
 Matildah
 Fatima
 Amal
 Kner
 Gabriela
 Yazmin

11. Session 2-Student Coordinator:
Danica Cambrice  Year: Junior
 Major: Psychology
 Involvement: MIPS Peer Mentor Program, St.
Catherine Women’s Basketball Team, Wildcat
Student Advisory Committee, MIPS Graduates
of Color Committee.
 Hobbies: Lifting, reading poetry, listening to
music, practicing ASL
 What advice would you give to your high
school self? Do not be afraid to take a couple
of classes outside of what you are thinking of
majoring in because you never know what you
might be interested until you try them; get
involved with clubs and organizations on
campus.

12. Danica’s Mentees
Second Session
 Aisha
 Sowda
 Khin
 Nimo
 Mya
 Emilia

13. Session 2-Student Coordinator:
Jeannine Erickson Year: Senior
Major: Critical Studies of Race and Ethnicity
(CRST) and French
Activities involved: BSA, French Club, and Former
Peer Mentor (PMP)
Hobbies: Muay Thai Boxing, Drawing and Painting,
Netflix Enthusiast, Certified Book Worm
Advice I’d give to my high school self:
“Don’t be afraid to question what you know. Embrace
your curly hair already :P. Friends will come and go,
but the best of friends will stand by you and grow
and change with you. Unity and homogeneity aren’t
the same thing and being normal is overrated. You
are stronger than you can imagine, loved beyond
measure, and have so much greatness that lies ahead
of you. It is ok to cry and not be ok all the time. Be
bold. Be loud. Be open. Be free.”

14. Jeannine’s Mentees
Second Session
 Sanelisekile
 Jenaye
 Gao Sheng
 Stellar
 Alexandra
 Mikeala

15. Student Coordinator:
Sagal Hadafow
 Year: Senior
 Major: Biology and Education, minor in
English as Second Language
 Activities Involved (clubs, interns,
leadership roles etc): MSA, MIPS Peer
Mentor, Education Club, Senate.
 Hobbies: Dancing with friends (or by
myself), journaling, handlettering/
calligraphy, watching every show/movie on
Netflix.
“Don’t be afraid to change—change is your best
friend during these years. It sounds basic but
try to say yes to things you haven’t experienced
yet. But be careful and try not to spread
yourself too thin. Always have fun!”

16. Sagal’s Mentees
First Session Second Session
 Nawaal
 Aithy
 Juielta
 Ayan
 Ashantiana
 Sumaya
 Dajahri
 Eboni
 Isebella
 Kahly
 Sophia
 Maryann
 Diana

17. Student Coordinator:
Laura Rand
 Year: 5th year, Masters
 Major: Master of Occupational Therapy
Sciences
 Activities involved: Occupational
Therapy Day at the Capitol; NAMI on
Campus and MIPS activities
 Hobbies: Outdoors, gardening, cooking,
travel
 “Don't give up on your dream to go to
college. Believe in yourself, and be
flexible, but have a plan A and B..”

18. Laura’s Mentees
First Session Second Session
 Janetlynn
 Cenying
 Ka
 Sunsuci
 Isela
 Melissa
 Alanah
 Hope
 Summer
 Genesis
 Jessica
 Melissa

19. First Step Overview: Workshops
 Build a diverse network of college-bound friends & mentors
 Life in a Bag
 Our purpose here & community expectations
 Mentor Circles
 Sharing Stories through Spoken Word & Dance: Dance Diaspora
 The Masks We Wear
 Ice Cream Networking Social
with current college students & alumnae
 Group reflections and affirmations
 Practice important life skills needed in college:
 Budgeting as a College Student
 Interviewing skills
 Teamwork
 Goal setting
 Problem solving
 Conflict management

20. First Step Overview:
Workshops, Continued…
 College Knowledge & Self Awareness:
 Unearthing College Secrets
 College Major Fair
 Career Planning Starts now
 Residence Life Expectations
 What Color is your Personality
 College admissions
 Applying for financial aid
 How to get a better score on the ACT exam
 How to write a strong college essay
 How to search and apply for scholarships
 Informational Interview with college professors
 Completing assessments that will help them learn about the various
majors/careers offered

21. Just absolute fun!!!
 We play lots of games, so get ready for tons of fun!

22. Conversation Activity
What are your assumptions of 1st step?
What do you hope to gain from First
Step?

23. Student Expectations
 Have fun
 Be respectful
 Arrive on time and be prepared to all workshops
 Be actively engaged with students, staff members and
presenters
 Take responsibility for your actions and learn from your
mistakes
 Positively contribute to group discussions and projects
 Be yourself, quirks and all
 THE MORE OPEN you are to the experience, the MORE YOU
WILL GET OUT OF IT!

24. Student Expectations
 Actively listen and honestly share
 Point out positive behavior in others
 Take healthy social, intellectual, and emotional risks
 Directly address a person when a problem arises
 Get enough sleep, stretch, and eat healthy foods
 Parent’s/guardians are asked to not visit during First Step
hours unless an emergency arises. Students need space to
grow as independent adults during this college-immersion
experience.
 Guests are not encouraged to visit First Step Students unless
the first step summer institute staff approves their visit.

25. Non-Negotiables…
 Use of alcohol and/or illegal drugs.
 Use of a weapon against another person or yourself.
 Harassment (i.e. physical and verbal threats/attacks)
directed towards other students or First Step staff.
 Leaving Caecilian Hall and Campus without permission.
 Having guests without permission.

26. Dress Considerations
 Wear clothing appropriate for workshops with college
faculty and staff members
 Bring sneakers/tennis shoes/comfortable clothes
 One to wear at your graduation
 Last evening of First Step session
 Parents/Friends invited from 7:45 p.m.-9:00 p.m.
 Session 1 : JDA, Whitby Hall
 Session 2: Coeur de Catherine , Ballroom 3rd floor

27. Roommate Selection
 Who will be my roommate? Could I roommate with my
friend/classmate?
 Answer: We randomly select your roommate. No
switching. We intentionally try to separate students from
the same school.
 The value of this decision is to give you the experience of
sharing a space with someone that you don’t know.
 We value your friendships and we highly encourage you
to expand in getting to know other people.

28. Building Access
 Staff will obtain the key access card to the building.
Doors to the building will be locked during the day.
 Students will have their own key to their rooms. It’s
important not to lose the key because it will cost you
$60.00-$100 to replace it and the lock to the door.
 Residence Hall has no A/C so bring a fan!
 Each room is furnished with two-three twin beds
 Including frame, mattress, bed linen, pillow

29. Drop Off & Pick Up: Caecillian Hall
Caecilian
HallEnter Gate
Two

30. Caecillian Hall – Drop off 7:30 am-9

31. Session 1: JDA, Whitby Hall
Graduation Ceremony 7:45 pm.-9 p.m.
Parking
Here
Graduation
Ceremony

32. Graduation Ceremony- Session 1

33. Session 2: Ballroom, CdC
Graduation Ceremony 7:45-9 p.m.
Parking
Here
Graduation
Ceremony

34. Graduation Ceremony- Session 2
Coeur de Catherine, Ballroom 3rd floor

35. LIFE IN A BAG
 Life in a Bag" Activity:
 On Monday, we will be doing a getting-to-know-you
activity called "Life in a Bag". Please be prepared to
share 3 items that are significant to you and highlight
things about your life, your experiences, and values.
You should put all of the items in a bag (the bag may
be meaningful as well). All items should fit into
your bag so be creative! If you have questions about
this activity, feel free to ask.

36. Breakout Session: Names & Games
 Students please follow mentors!