Building STEPS to Brighter Future
Carnegie Mellon alum Matthew Weinberg (TPR '79, '83) values diversity of opinion. And as CEO of The Weinberg Group, an international science-based business consultancy headquartered in Washington, D.C., he saw an opportunity to play a role in creating a more diverse workforce.
In 1995, Weinberg founded Building STEPS (Science, Technology and Education Partnerships), a non-profit organization dedicated to helping inner-city, low-income minority students succeed in the fields of science and technology.
"I think we all have a responsibility to make the world better," Weinberg explained. "It's something I strongly believe in. We are supposed to 'heal the world.'"
Building STEPS is a Baltimore-based program that provides high-achieving, disadvantaged high-schoolers with professional on-site seminars, internships and intensive college counseling. To further ensure success, the program continues to offer guidance through the college years.
"Getting their college acceptance letters is just the beginning," said Debra Plant, executive director of Building STEPS. "For me, the goal is to help these kids realize their potential."
Weinberg relates the success of two students who recently won university scholarships — one's living in an area shelter and the other is the first in her family to finish high school. There are countless more.
According to Plant, this year's 18 seniors were accepted to 27 colleges and received $1.6 million in academic scholarship offers.
Weinberg is dedicated to Building STEPS and remains a hands-on participant. "Until you realize the huge gulf that exists between the different parts of our society, you just don't get how far we have to go to help some of these kids," he said, also noting that he wants to give others the opportunities he and his fellow alumni got at Carnegie Mellon.
While Weinberg continues to be the program's principle funding source, recent donations from foundations have paved the way for expansion. Building STEPS has recently grown from serving three schools to nine, and Weinberg and Plant hope to someday assist high school kids in other cities.
"It really is a replicable model for change," Plant said.
Weinberg remains active in giving back to Carnegie Mellon, including sponsorship of the Cycling Club and recently the Steel City Showdown Race.
"What I gained from my experience at Carnegie Mellon was a framework for thinking. I believe that the things I learned then still work for me today," he said.
Related Links: Building STEPS | Tepper School of Business
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