22. Defying the Odds: A Conversation with Founder and CEO of The Student Expedition Program (STEP College-Prep), Dr. Tracy Baynes

22. Defying the Odds: A Conversation with Founder and CEO of The Student Expedition Program (STEP College-Prep), Dr. Tracy Baynes

Author: Eskin Fundraising Training January 5, 2026 Duration: 17:48

A college education has never been so essential as it is in today's complex, fast-changing and technology driven workplace. You must have the capacity to be a lifelong learner. The Student Expedition Program (STEP College-Prep) launched in 2004, an innovative college access and leadership program for low-income Arizona high-school students is opening huge doors of opportunity.

While only 14% of low-income students earn a college degree, an awesome 96% of STEP scholars are attending or have graduated college. DrTracy Baynes is the Founder and CEO. Building on her 25 years of teaching and expedition leadership experience reinforced by a firm belief that learning in an unfamiliar and challenging environment is a transformative experience, she has evolved a mission to help high school students broaden their horizons and consider college options well beyond what they had heard was possible.

Let's learn how Dr. Baynes has empowered thousands of young men and women to defy the odds and achieve brighter futures.

www.jimeskinpodcast.com

 


Hosted by Jim Eskin of Eskin Fundraising Training, Non-Profit North Stars with Jim Eskin turns the spotlight toward the essential yet often overlooked individuals who provide the true momentum for charitable missions. While major donors rightly receive recognition, this podcast is dedicated to the unsung heroes-the staff members, volunteers, board members, and community advocates whose daily dedication and genuine purpose energize organizations from within. Each conversation explores how these individuals apply their unique gifts to steer their groups in an uplifting direction, ensuring every effort aligns with a noble cause. You’ll hear specific, grounded stories about practical strategies and personal convictions that make a tangible difference in communities, focusing more on sustained impact than on a single transaction. Tuning into this podcast offers a deeper appreciation for the human infrastructure that allows philanthropy to thrive, providing listeners in the business, marketing, and non-profit spheres with relatable insights and authentic inspiration drawn directly from the field. It’s a series that believes the right guidance often comes from those who work quietly behind the scenes, keeping the entire mission pointed true north.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 27

Non-Profit North Stars with Jim Eskin
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