Step-Up

Step-Up is an interdisciplinary service-learning program that engages UK students (Step-Up Fellows) to provide tutoring and mentoring for high-need K–12 students across Kentucky. Initially focused on migrant and refugee youth, Step-Up now supports all learners needing academic assistance, with continued emphasis on English Language Learners. Through workshops, one-on-one tutoring, and leadership opportunities, Step-Up fosters academic success, confidence, and community engagement. The program empowers both college and pre-college students to overcome challenges, develop their potential and actively shape their educational and professional paths in an inclusive, supportive environment that promotes growth and lasting community impact.

 

Key Activities & Services

UK students participating in this program are attached to local high schools and community organizations where they provide the following services to immigrant and refugee students:

  • Academic tutoring in reading, writing, mathematics, science, and other subjects.
  • Assistance with SAT/ACT test preparation.
  • Guidance on college applications and obtaining financial assistance.
  • Guidance on financial decision-making and independent living skills.
  • Mentorship on positive transition from high school to college.

 

Why Step-Up Matters

Across the country, millions of children are falling behind in reading, a challenge widely described as a national literacy crisis. Fewer than half of U.S. students in grades 4 and 8 read at or above proficiency levels. Kentucky faces the same struggle. Despite the dedication of teachers and administrators, only a small number of students reach proficiency by the end of elementary school, and many continue to struggle through later grades. In Fayette County Public Schools (FCPS) — one of Kentucky’s strongest and most diverse districts — literacy remains a major concern. In the 2023–24 Kentucky Summative Assessment, only 28% of elementary students and 27% of middle and high school students scored proficient in reading.

Step-Up addresses this challenge directly. Led by an interdisciplinary team of University of Kentucky faculty, Step-Up Fellows provide consistent, one-on-one and small group tutoring to K–12 students who need extra help. Working with classroom teachers and community partners, Fellows support reading, STEM, and other core subjects while building students’ confidence and love of learning. Unlike short-term tutoring efforts, Step-Up offers sustained support from elementary through high school, ensuring that students continue to grow as they advance towards college.

 

Step-Up Impact Highlights

Step-Up is a highly impactful program for K-12 and University of Kentucky students: 

  • More than 800 English Language Learners benefitted from Step-Up services in 2024-2025.
  • More than 200 ESL Students participated in tours of the UK campus in 2024-2025.
  • Improved Attendance and Retention among English Language Learners.
  • Improved Academic Achievement in ESL and Credit Recovery classes.
  • 4 High Schools and 6 Community-based organizations hosted Step-Up fellows in 2024-2025.
  • 138 Step-Up fellows offered opportunities to build cross-cultural competence, problem-solving, and other skills.
  • 6 Step-Up fellows presented at the 2024 Kentucky Refugee & Immigrant Inclusion Summit.
  • 3 Step-Up fellows presented at the 2025 Engaged Scholarship Consortium Conference.
  • Several Step-Up fellows won competitive awards such as Fulbright and scholarships for graduate programs, medical schools, law schools, etc.

 

Be a Step-Up Fellow

Do you want to make a difference in someone else’s life, while earning internship credit, community engagement skills and scholarship money?

Apply for the Spring 2026 Step-Up Fellowship by 11:59 p.m. EST on Nov. 16, 2025, via this link: https://forms.gle/iFtmHyDviXiW8vWY8

 

Supporting the Step-Up Program                    

To ensure the Step-Up program's success, we rely heavily on recruiting dedicated UK student mentors who are passionate about empowering pre-college students from immigrant and refugee backgrounds. We understand that participation in this program requires significant dedication, including time and financial commitments from UK students, who may need to forgo work and cover their own transportation costs to engage with schools and community organizations. To alleviate this burden, we've established the Step-Up Fellowship, offering financial assistance to our student mentors. We invite you to partner with us in this important endeavor. Your support will help us expand the reach and impact of the Step-Up program, creating a brighter future for immigrant and refugee youth. By contributing to the Step-Up Fellowship, you directly empower both our student mentors and the pre-college students they serve. Your generosity will not only make a tangible difference in the lives of these deserving individuals but also foster a stronger, more inclusive community.

You can support the Step-Up program by going to the College of Arts and Sciences giving page, then selecting the "STEP-UP PROGRAM SUPPORT IN IS" fund. Alternatively, you can mail a check made out to University of Kentucky, including "Step-Up Program in International Studies Fund" in the memo. The mailing address is:

UK Philanthropy

PO Box 910628

Lexington KY 40591

You can also call Dawn Smallwood at 859-258-2049 to process your gift over the phone.