About Us:
Alumni
Once Scholars graduate from college, they become Alumni and join a network of more than 1,000 young professionals. They may travel far from the places where they began as 10-year-olds, but they never leave the Steppingstone community. The relationships forged—with teachers, Advisors, and other Scholars—last a lifetime. And many Alumni find ways to give back and stay connected, to each other as well as to the organization that set them on the path to college success. They serve as mentors, volunteers, donors, ambassadors, and board members. They lead by example, inspiring and sustaining the next generation.
Bassil Bacare ’08
A graduate of The Park School, Roxbury Latin, and Trinity College with a B.S. in neuroscience and a minor in philosophy, Bassil Bacare ’08 created a nonprofit called The Healing Project. As the founder, Bassil laid the groundwork by personally recruiting philanthropists, medical students, and physicians to build this organization, which now actively has over 20 members across the East Coast. He was named a 2022 Fellow of the New Leaders Council (NLC). He says, “Being part of NLC is a crucial feat towards making meaningful and sizable changes in our communities. I look forward to collaborating with the other fellows to become the leaders we aspire to be.”
200+
colleges and universities across the country have Scholar graduates.
23
Alumni now serve as members of Steppingstone’s boards and staff, with four Alumni on the Board of Directors.
In the summer of 2023, the Alumni Survey invited individuals that enrolled in the Steppingstone program between 1990 - 2011 to share details about their educational journey and professional experiences. 168 Steppingstone Alumni completed the 2023 Alumni Survey (16.6% response rate).
95%
of Alumni surveyed hold a bachelor's degree.
92%
of Alumni surveyed are currently employed.
$88,396
is the average full-time salary among Alumni surveyed who are currently employed.*
92%
of Alumni surveyed would rate their likelihood to recommend Steppingstone to a prospective family an 8+ (10 = would highly recommend!).
*This average was calculated based on the full-time salaries reported by Alumni who are currently employed. Respondents currently enrolled in full-time roles comprised Steppingstone Alumni aged between 25 and 45 years old.
Ngoc-Tran Vu ’00
Alumni
Ngoc-Tran Vu ’00, also known as Tran, is a multimedia artist and strategic consultant with over 15 years of experience. Tran's work focuses on telling stories of migration, displacement, and resilience through projects that uplift and empower marginalized communities. By blending art with community activism, she seeks to connect diverse cultures and inspire meaningful social change.
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Alumni Spotlight
Asjah Monroe ’94
Alumni
A message for Scholars, from Steppingstone Alumna Asjah Monroe ’94: “You’re capable. That’s already a given.” This hard-earned wisdom is a truth Asjah found within herself, on a path through college, graduate school, and creating and leading a nonprofit of her own.
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Alumni Spotlight
Merry Chin ’05
Alumni
“My mission in life is to really improve educational equity across…everything. There’s a lot of work to be done; there are unlimited ways to build solutions for this space.”
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Alumni Spotlight
Shihua Wu ’10
Alumni
In 2020, fresh from Boston College with a degree in marketing and finance, Shihua Wu ’10 dove fearlessly into the world of start-ups. Now with a life in New York and an established career at Silicon Valley Bank, Shihua makes time for Steppingstone as an Alumnus, volunteering and eagerly connecting with Scholars of today.
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Alumni Spotlight
Makeda Daniel ’09
Alumni
Makeda Daniel ’09 is in a unique position within our community. She has more than 10 years of Steppingstone memories, and from myriad perspectives: as a Scholar, a peer leader, a teaching assistant, an Alumna, an Advisor. Now, as Manager of Alumni Relations, she builds community around the stories of many, with palpable enthusiasm.
Read MoreConnect with Steppingstone
Join the community of Steppingstone Alumni! Flip through our throwback photos. Share memories with us on Instagram. Expand your network and explore opportunities on our LinkedIn group for Alumni and College Scholars. Or, take your involvement to the next level:
- Access Leadership Brainery for Graduate School Resources
- Ask about joining the Alumni Council or one of Steppingstone’s boards
- View our past Career Corner features, and nominate an Alum to be featured next
- Volunteer and mentor current Scholars
- Explore our current career opportunities
- Make a gift to support the next generation of Scholars
- Give us feedback for the 2025 Alumni Reunion. We are considering new ideas!
- Submit Class Notes to be featured in our next Alumni Newsletter
- Update your contact information to stay in touch
For more information on how to get involved as an Alum, contact Audrey James
at 857-201-0330 or ajames@steppingstone.org.
at 857-201-0330 or ajames@steppingstone.org.
Enjoy 20% Off Steppingstone Swag!
As a thank you for all your support, enjoy 20% off your entire purchase from the Steppingstone swag store! Alumni can apply the code STEPALM20 to the “Special Instructions” section on part 2 of the check-out process to activate the discount. This is a limited time offer (while supplies last), so be sure to check out our store and get your swag!
Please note that the automated confirmation email you will receive will not reflect the 20% discount, however it will be applied prior to processing payment. Steppingstone is sponsoring this discount and does not profit from the webstore.
NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATORY POLICY AS TO STUDENTS
Steppingstone is an educational nonprofit which serves students of various backgrounds. It does not discriminate in the administration of its educational policies, admission policies, scholarship programs or other organization-administered activities.
© Copyright 2025 Steppingstone Foundation, Inc.
