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Stepping Up Newsletter

Sparking Career Interest at

Healthcare Connections

Tomorrow’s Healthcare Professionals Start Here.

STEP’s annual Healthcare Connections event, held on February 24, 2026, at Edgecombe Community College, gave students from Nash County Public Schools a hands-on introduction to the world of healthcare careers. Through interactive experiences and conversations, students explored different career paths, asked thoughtful questions, and gained a clearer picture of what their futures in healthcare could look like. Students were able to explore careers such as physical therapy, nursing, surgical tech, radiography, and more.

The event featured healthcare professionals and educators from Edgecombe Community College, Nash Community College, Area L AHEC, ECU Health Edgecombe, and UNC Health Nash, who shared their experiences and helped students better understand the wide range of opportunities available in healthcare.

By connecting students directly with industry professionals, STEP continues to inspire the next generation of healthcare workers and strengthen the future of our local workforce.

Contact Education Specialist Vivian Edmondson to learn how you can be a part of this!

Empowering Future Leaders

Through Internships

This is the Power of Internships.

Abdoulie "AJ" Sowe from Nash Early College High School has started a marketing internship with the Down East Partnership for Children. His supervisor is Monica Dood, DEPC's Communications and Development Coordinator.

This internship will allow AJ to gain relevant career experience and skills while still in high school and give him a head start towards his future career.

"This internship made me more confident about what I want to do," says AJ, " I hope to gain experience and knowledge that I can take into my career, and that will give me an edge. Eventually, people my age will be running companies, and internships will equip us with the skills needed to become future leaders."

Ready to host an intern? Partner with STEP and start building your future workforce. Contact Work-Based Learning Coordinator Josh O'Neil to get involved!

Welcoming Our New Board Treasurer

We are excited to welcome Shawn Hartley to STEP’s Board of Directors as Treasurer!

Shawn Hartley serves as Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President of Finance at UNC Health Nash, where he leads the organization’s financial strategy and operations in support of high-quality, community-centered healthcare.

With more than 15 years of progressive leadership experience in hospital and health system finance, Shawn has held CFO and senior financial roles across several major healthcare organizations, including UNC Health, Community Health Systems, LifePoint Hospitals, and HCA Healthcare.

Shawn will bring valuable leadership and financial expertise to support STEP's mission and will be a great addition as Treasurer.

Happy Reading Month!

Did you know STEP is a supporter of literacy? Check out these moments where we are involved in reaching the Twin-Counties through reading! From donating STEM books to local students to reading with children, STEP helps spark curiosity and a love of learning.

How you can support reading in the Twin-Counties.

Donate books
Volunteer for in-person reading events
Celebrate reading milestones with students
Share book recommendations
Support libraries and literacy programs

Coming Up!

Check out STEP's upcoming STEM events for students!

Brick City

Engineering Challenge

March 20th
Rocky Mount Event Center

STEM Based LEGO competition for Edgecombe County & Nash County elementary schools, grades 3-5. Schools compete at the individual school-level and culminate in a regional competition. The goal of this challenge is to spark interest, confidence and creative problem solving early in the STEM fields needed for our local workforce.

STEM Design Challenge

April 1st
Rocky Mount Event Center

Students in grades 6-8 are challenged to build a motorized object using K'Nex, a versatile, creative construction product, and a Cue Robot while practicing problem-solving skills and working as a team. Consulting engineers from local companies engage with the teams prior to competition and share important work-based skills/concepts.

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