Students Teaching and Empower Peers (STEP) - Meet Emily

Emily ’25 works with her peers to tackle a challenging subject: domestic and sexual violence.

“These topics are more commonly experienced by college students than you’d think,” she shared. Through the work of Students Teaching and Empowering Peers (STEP), Emily is working to reduce stigma and educate others in an effort to raise awareness and lower the number of these negative encounters across college campuses, including Hope.

“I am a co-director for STEP. In my role, I oversee our educators and create programming for our college,” Emily said. “I work across campus to collaborate on events and create strong communication within the broader campus community.”

Emily, from Grosse Pointe Woods, Mich., is double majoring in psychology and social work. She plans to pursue her master’s in social work upon graduation. Her work with STEP will prepare her for grad school and beyond.

“I was intrigued by STEP’s mission. I wanted to educate myself and become a better advocate for sexual violence prevention,” she explained. “I have found the STEP community to be full of equally passionate and empathetic people.”

In order to combat sexual violence on college campuses, Emily and her peers plan events and workshops that raise awareness about the issue, educate campus community members on building healthy, consensual relationships and empower individuals to create safer communities.

“Sexual violence is not an easy topic,” Emily admitted. “But I am appreciative of the ways that the STEP team is able to have fun and lift one another up.”

Emily is thankful that donors like you recognize and value violence prevention. “Without your support, we would not be able to do what we do,” she said.

Help STEP start meaningful conversations across campus with your gift today!