Starting in fall 2026, the all-new STEPS2Clemson program will support engineering majors transitioning from Tri-County Technical College to Clemson University.

The initiative is spearheaded by Mary Kurz, Ph.D., an associate professor in the department of industrial engineering, who serves as the principal investigator.

The first cohort of students will begin their freshman year at TCTC and then transfer to Clemson in fall 2027.

Kurz emphasized that the program’s goal is to help prevent transfer shock, the struggle of transitioning from a small technical college to a larger university like Clemson.

“STEPS2Clemson aims to address this for a small set of academically talented and financially eligible students majoring in an engineering field,” Kurz said in a statement to The Tiger.

The National Science Foundation funds the program and supports advising and mentoring initiatives. In addition, students will receive up to $15,000 in scholarship funds each year for up to five years.

Some highlights of the program include a creative inquiry experience and a three-year professional development program, according to Kurz.

The program aims to “increase STEM degree completion of academically talented, low-income undergraduates” to “grow the STEM workforce and nurture key talent that will … provide domestic leadership across critical sectors,” according to NSF.

For each of the next three academic years, the program will support 16 students. This scholarship and mentorship program will aid a total of 48 students.

STEPS2Clemson aims to help students graduate “with little to no debt, good grades, and great prospects for their next steps,” said Kurz.

Applications for the program are due on July 15, 2026. Decisions will be released on Aug. 1, 2026.