New-Service Training Employment Program (N-STEP), Inc. conducted a University of Maryland, College Park college tour with interested students in Harford County on November 6, 2025. The students participated in a 75-minute guided walking tour lead by their student tour guide, a current sophomore of the University of Maryland, where they explored classrooms, dining areas, dorms, fitness amenities, and well-known campus landmarks like the beautiful grassy park of Mckeldin Mall and the famous bronze Testudo Statue, a mascot and good luck charm outside McKeldin Library, where students rubbed the turtle statue’s nose for good luck. They experienced a firsthand look at college life and academic opportunities, visiting such places like the Thurgood Marshall Hall, where students saw the School of Public Policy and they later visited Edward St. John Learning and Teaching Center where they walked the halls with the currently enrolled students. One high school student even stopped and chatted with a friend who had graduated and enrolled into UM, they spoke at Frederick Douglass Square just next to the 8-foot-tall bronze statue honoring the abolitionist. Transportation was provided for all nine of the registered attendees by N-STEP’s partner, Inner County Outreach of Aberdeen, Maryland.
N-STEP’s mission is to EXPOSE, EDUCATE, CONNECT, and ASSIST individuals in planning the providers. N-STEP’s works primarily with low-income and minority populations to provide job readiness training, develop career planning pathways and exploration, and assist with employment information and opportunities. N-STEP provides Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) engagement activities, Career Walks/Career Talks, General Equivalency Diploma and Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery tutoring, and life skills coaching.
N-STEP’s next event is The Gospel Fest being held on February 1, 2026, at Cultural Center at the Opera House in Havre de Grace, Maryland from 7p.m. – 10p.m. The Gospel Fest will celebrate a rich musical tradition that contributes meaningfully to Maryland’s cultural identity. As we celebrate the first day of Black History Month, participants will watch performances by a multi-disciplinary arts program featuring the spoken word of Poet Laureate Lady Brion, musical renditions by gospel musician Pastor Danton Whitley, and the Harford County Community Choir, and piano artist Aaron Hill, affectionately known as “The Healing Piano Artist,” and four-time Author Tawanda Prince providing poetic readings of her work as the program Emcee. Tickets are being sold on Eventbrite here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1907061344819
Contact Information: For newsroom or press inquiries, please contact Sharon Jacobs – Founder/Executive Director, N-STEP, sharon@nstepforward.com; 301.775.7936.