Central Queensland University Bundaberg’s STEPS coordinator, Karen Seary, is now responsible for overseeing the delivery of the progressive program across Central Queensland’s six campuses.

“This is the first program which will be totally coordinated outside our Rockhampton base,” according to CQU Bundaberg, Head of Campus, Professor Alex Grady. “It highlights the growth of confidence in the regional campuses in regards to the integrated multi site campus approach. It also strengthens what we already know -- that the STEPS program continues to play a crucial role in other Central Queensland regions as it does here in Bundaberg,” he said.

“It is also a recognition of the achievements of Karen Seary. The Bundaberg STEPS program has consistently been the most successful across Central Queensland.” “I have been involved with the program (which began in Rockhampton in 1989) since 1994. In that time it has continued to grow in all the regions, with at least 2700 students not only gaining qualifications but having the confidence to embark on tertiary studies at CQU,” said Ms Seary, thrilled with the idea of overseeing the coordination of the program in Emerald, Gladstone, Mackay, Rockhampton, and Bundaberg.

“This is because STEPS opens up a whole new world for those aged 19 years and older who may never have dreamed that they would study at university.” The success of the students who complete the program is reflected in statistics which show that 81% of those completing STEPS continue to successfully complete their undergraduate studies.

Ms Seary’s involvement throughout the last 8 years has included re-developing certain aspects of the program to ensure the needs of the students are met.

“Basically the program increases people’s confidence and skill to be able to cope with academic studies. Confidence is an issue for most mature aged students who do not have the pre-requisite skills to enter university. Many do not have any computer skills and for some it can be 20 years or more since they last studied,” she said.

She is now preparing for the arrival of 50 commencing STEPS students who will embark on a 13 week full time program between July and October. These students join 25 part time students who have already studied at CQU Bundaberg since March. Overall, a total of 75 students will have been given a second chance at educational success through the STEPS program on the Bundaberg campus in 2003.