{"id":6,"date":"2026-01-16T13:48:21","date_gmt":"2026-01-16T19:48:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/next-step\/?page_id=6"},"modified":"2026-04-20T15:37:51","modified_gmt":"2026-04-20T20:37:51","slug":"next-step-guarantee","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/nextstep\/","title":{"rendered":"Next Step Guarantee"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"6\" class=\"elementor elementor-6\" data-elementor-post-type=\"page\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5daf90d e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"5daf90d\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;video&quot;,&quot;background_video_link&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/www.youtube.com\\\/watch?v=hUvhBXSfI60&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-background-video-container elementor-hidden-mobile\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-background-video-embed\" role=\"presentation\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7c4f840 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"7c4f840\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;animation&quot;:&quot;none&quot;,&quot;animation_mobile&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0446d2a elementor-widget-tablet__width-initial elementor-widget-tablet_extra__width-initial elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"0446d2a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;fadeIn&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/nextstep\/files\/2026\/01\/Logo-768x432.png\" class=\"attachment-medium_large size-medium_large wp-image-12\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/nextstep\/files\/2026\/01\/Logo-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/nextstep\/files\/2026\/01\/Logo-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/nextstep\/files\/2026\/01\/Logo-1024x577.png 1024w, https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/nextstep\/files\/2026\/01\/Logo-1536x865.png 1536w, https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/nextstep\/files\/2026\/01\/Logo.png 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-776fe0c e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"776fe0c\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b9a844b elementor-nav-menu__align-center elementor-nav-menu--dropdown-tablet elementor-nav-menu__text-align-aside elementor-nav-menu--toggle elementor-nav-menu--burger elementor-widget elementor-widget-nav-menu\" data-id=\"b9a844b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;layout&quot;:&quot;horizontal&quot;,&quot;submenu_icon&quot;:{&quot;value&quot;:&quot;&lt;svg aria-hidden=\\&quot;true\\&quot; class=\\&quot;e-font-icon-svg e-fas-caret-down\\&quot; viewBox=\\&quot;0 0 320 512\\&quot; xmlns=\\&quot;http:\\\/\\\/www.w3.org\\\/2000\\\/svg\\&quot;&gt;&lt;path d=\\&quot;M31.3 192h257.3c17.8 0 26.7 21.5 14.1 34.1L174.1 354.8c-7.8 7.8-20.5 7.8-28.3 0L17.2 226.1C4.6 213.5 13.5 192 31.3 192z\\&quot;&gt;&lt;\\\/path&gt;&lt;\\\/svg&gt;&quot;,&quot;library&quot;:&quot;fa-solid&quot;},&quot;toggle&quot;:&quot;burger&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"nav-menu.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<nav aria-label=\"Menu\" class=\"elementor-nav-menu--main elementor-nav-menu__container elementor-nav-menu--layout-horizontal e--pointer-background e--animation-fade\">\n\t\t\t\t<ul id=\"menu-1-b9a844b\" class=\"elementor-nav-menu\"><li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-home menu-item-62\"><a class=\"elementor-item\" href=\"https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/nextstep\/\" itemprop=\"url\">About<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-57\"><a class=\"elementor-item\" href=\"https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/nextstep\/program-requirements\/\" itemprop=\"url\">Program Requirements<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-286\"><a class=\"elementor-item\" href=\"https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/nextstep\/events\/\" itemprop=\"url\">Approved Events<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-148\"><a class=\"elementor-item\" href=\"https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/nextstep\/event-submission\/\" itemprop=\"url\">Event Submission<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-58\"><a class=\"elementor-item\" href=\"https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/nextstep\/faq\/\" itemprop=\"url\">FAQ<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-76\"><a class=\"elementor-item\" href=\"https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/nextstep\/contact\/\" itemprop=\"url\">Contact<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\t\t\t<\/nav>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-menu-toggle\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"Menu Toggle\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"presentation\" class=\"elementor-menu-toggle__icon--open e-font-icon-svg e-eicon-menu-bar\" viewBox=\"0 0 1000 1000\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M104 333H896C929 333 958 304 958 271S929 208 896 208H104C71 208 42 237 42 271S71 333 104 333ZM104 583H896C929 583 958 554 958 521S929 458 896 458H104C71 458 42 487 42 521S71 583 104 583ZM104 833H896C929 833 958 804 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href=\"https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/nextstep\/\" itemprop=\"url\" tabindex=\"-1\">About<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-57\"><a class=\"elementor-item\" href=\"https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/nextstep\/program-requirements\/\" itemprop=\"url\" tabindex=\"-1\">Program Requirements<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-286\"><a class=\"elementor-item\" href=\"https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/nextstep\/events\/\" itemprop=\"url\" tabindex=\"-1\">Approved Events<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-148\"><a class=\"elementor-item\" href=\"https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/nextstep\/event-submission\/\" itemprop=\"url\" tabindex=\"-1\">Event Submission<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-58\"><a class=\"elementor-item\" href=\"https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/nextstep\/faq\/\" itemprop=\"url\" tabindex=\"-1\">FAQ<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-76\"><a class=\"elementor-item\" href=\"https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/nextstep\/contact\/\" itemprop=\"url\" tabindex=\"-1\">Contact<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\t\t\t<\/nav>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-279055c e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"279055c\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-38a7ce5 e-con-full e-flex elementor-invisible e-con e-child\" data-id=\"38a7ce5\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;animation&quot;:&quot;fadeInUp&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bb5048c e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"bb5048c\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-89c0d40 elementor-drop-cap-yes elementor-drop-cap-view-default elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"89c0d40\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;drop_cap&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<style>\n.wrap-video {\n  float: left;\n  margin: 0 25px 20px 0;\n  max-width: 600px;\n  width: 100%;\n  border-radius: 25px;\n  overflow: hidden;\n}\n\n.wrap-video iframe {\n  width: 100%;\n  aspect-ratio: 16 \/ 9;\n  height: auto;\n  display: block;\n}\n\n@media (max-width: 768px) {\n  .wrap-video {\n    float: none;\n    margin: 0 0 20px 0;\n  }\n}\n\n.drop-cap:first-letter {\n  float: left;\n  color: #003da5;\n  font-size: 60px;\n  line-height: 55px;\n  padding-right: 10px;\n  font-weight: 400;\n}\n<\/style>\n\n<div class=\"wrap-video\">\n  <iframe \n    title=\"Next Step Video\"\n    src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/swesG8FKgfw\"\n    frameborder=\"0\"\n    allowfullscreen>\n  <\/iframe>\n<\/div>\n\n<p class=\"drop-cap\">\nSouthern Arkansas University\u2019s <strong>Mulerider Next Step Guarantee<\/strong> \nis a first-of-its-kind program in Arkansas designed to help students confidently \nprepare for life after graduation. From their first year on campus, students \nconnect with career-building opportunities including mentorship, skill-building \nworkshops, networking events, internships, and meaningful campus involvement.\n<\/p>\n\n<p>\nStudents who complete the program requirements are guaranteed to secure a \nfull-time job or gain acceptance into graduate or professional school within \nsix months of graduation. If a graduate has not yet secured a full-time job offer \nor admission to graduate or professional school within that time, we continue to \ninvest in their success by providing additional support at no cost, including \ncareer coaching and either targeted coursework or a paid internship to \nstrengthen career readiness.\n<\/p>\n\n<p>\nThe Mulerider Next Step Guarantee reflects our commitment to student success \nand ensures graduates leave campus confident, experienced, and ready for what \ncomes next.\n<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e54f57f e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"e54f57f\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0bb2c29 elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"0bb2c29\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm elementor-animation-grow\" href=\"https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/news\/2024\/southern-arkansas-university-unveils-the-mulerider-next-step-guarantee-program-to-ensure-students-place-in-the-workforce\/\" target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-far-newspaper\" viewBox=\"0 0 576 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M552 64H112c-20.858 0-38.643 13.377-45.248 32H24c-13.255 0-24 10.745-24 24v272c0 30.928 25.072 56 56 56h496c13.255 0 24-10.745 24-24V88c0-13.255-10.745-24-24-24zM48 392V144h16v248c0 4.411-3.589 8-8 8s-8-3.589-8-8zm480 8H111.422c.374-2.614.578-5.283.578-8V112h416v288zM172 280h136c6.627 0 12-5.373 12-12v-96c0-6.627-5.373-12-12-12H172c-6.627 0-12 5.373-12 12v96c0 6.627 5.373 12 12 12zm28-80h80v40h-80v-40zm-40 140v-24c0-6.627 5.373-12 12-12h136c6.627 0 12 5.373 12 12v24c0 6.627-5.373 12-12 12H172c-6.627 0-12-5.373-12-12zm192 0v-24c0-6.627 5.373-12 12-12h104c6.627 0 12 5.373 12 12v24c0 6.627-5.373 12-12 12H364c-6.627 0-12-5.373-12-12zm0-144v-24c0-6.627 5.373-12 12-12h104c6.627 0 12 5.373 12 12v24c0 6.627-5.373 12-12 12H364c-6.627 0-12-5.373-12-12zm0 72v-24c0-6.627 5.373-12 12-12h104c6.627 0 12 5.373 12 12v24c0 6.627-5.373 12-12 12H364c-6.627 0-12-5.373-12-12z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Read Full Announcement<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-589b0c5 elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"589b0c5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm elementor-animation-grow\" href=\"https:\/\/apply.saumag.edu\" target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-clipboard-check\" viewBox=\"0 0 384 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M336 64h-80c0-35.3-28.7-64-64-64s-64 28.7-64 64H48C21.5 64 0 85.5 0 112v352c0 26.5 21.5 48 48 48h288c26.5 0 48-21.5 48-48V112c0-26.5-21.5-48-48-48zM192 40c13.3 0 24 10.7 24 24s-10.7 24-24 24-24-10.7-24-24 10.7-24 24-24zm121.2 231.8l-143 141.8c-4.7 4.7-12.3 4.6-17-.1l-82.6-83.3c-4.7-4.7-4.6-12.3.1-17L99.1 285c4.7-4.7 12.3-4.6 17 .1l46 46.4 106-105.2c4.7-4.7 12.3-4.6 17 .1l28.2 28.4c4.7 4.8 4.6 12.3-.1 17z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Apply Now For Admission<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b747f35 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"b747f35\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;gradient&quot;,&quot;shape_divider_bottom&quot;:&quot;pyramids&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-shape elementor-shape-bottom\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-negative=\"false\">\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 1000 100\" preserveAspectRatio=\"none\">\n\t<path class=\"elementor-shape-fill\" d=\"M761.9,44.1L643.1,27.2L333.8,98L0,3.8V0l1000,0v3.9\"\/>\n<\/svg>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-93f768c e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"93f768c\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-599796f elementor-widget__width-inherit elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"599796f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Students Voices<\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-24e310b elementor-testimonial--layout-image_above elementor-testimonial--skin-default elementor-testimonial--align-center elementor-arrows-yes elementor-pagination-type-bullets elementor-widget elementor-widget-testimonial-carousel\" data-id=\"24e310b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;space_between&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:22,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;show_arrows&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;pagination&quot;:&quot;bullets&quot;,&quot;speed&quot;:500,&quot;autoplay&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;autoplay_speed&quot;:5000,&quot;loop&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;pause_on_hover&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;pause_on_interaction&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;space_between_tablet_extra&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;space_between_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;space_between_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]}}\" data-widget_type=\"testimonial-carousel.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-main-swiper swiper\" role=\"region\" aria-roledescription=\"carousel\" aria-label=\"Slides\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial__text\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\u201cBeing a part of the next step program has taught me a lot about SAU & its mission to help students beyond education. Beginning here at SAU, I didn\u2019t know specifically what I wanted career wise, so I joined the next step program for extra assistance. The next step program even supports you AFTER you\u2019ve graduated and assists with finding a job, building your resume, relocation, and more. Being a part of the Next Step Program has influenced me to network and not be afraid to have questions or participate on campus. I would recommend the Next Step Program over and over again to anyone, especially if you\u2019re wanting full support outside of academics only.\u201d\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<cite class=\"elementor-testimonial__cite\"><span class=\"elementor-testimonial__name\">Precious Glosson<\/span><\/cite>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial__footer\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial__image\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/nextstep\/files\/2026\/04\/19B_15B_5881567_1418416220_4-e1776463033687-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Precious Glosson\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial__text\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\u201cI would like to say that Next Steps has primarily taught me to prioritize my academics here at SAU. What I mean is, Next Steps helped reveal a truth to me that is very important. This truth is that I'm going to graduate, regardless of whether I prepare for life after college or not. For this reason, I have to take action, and that is what Next Steps has allowed me to do. I have greatly appreciated the career speakers, resume workshops, job fairs, and many more opportunities Next Step has provided for me, to better expose myself to the future process of looking for a career. This program has truly influenced me to be more than just motivated, but instead, driven to succeed in my academics, so that I can better prepare myself for my future. I can't wait to see how I can use the skills that Next Step has taught when preparing for my future!\"\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<cite class=\"elementor-testimonial__cite\"><span class=\"elementor-testimonial__name\">Zander Woodward<\/span><\/cite>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial__footer\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial__image\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/nextstep\/files\/2026\/04\/2ED_3DC_5881567_1418415695_4-e1776463058979-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Zander Woodward\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial__text\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\u201cThe Next Step Guarantee program has eased my worries about the future by ensuring I have career opportunities after I graduate. It has allowed me to grow, not only in my skills but also in the campus community.\u201d\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<cite class=\"elementor-testimonial__cite\"><span class=\"elementor-testimonial__name\">Emily Cole<\/span><\/cite>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial__footer\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial__image\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/nextstep\/files\/2026\/04\/3C_3DE_5881567_1418416069_4-e1776463089175-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Emily Cole\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial__text\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\u201cThe Next Step program has taught me that it is never too early to start preparing for life and a career after college! It has helped me streamline my goals, begin preparing a resume, and get ready for job interviews. With the help of this program, I am confident I will be ready to take my Next Step at both SAU and beyond!\u201d\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<cite class=\"elementor-testimonial__cite\"><span class=\"elementor-testimonial__name\">Brylee Overman<\/span><\/cite>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial__footer\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial__image\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/nextstep\/files\/2026\/04\/ED_EC_5881567_1418415843_4-e1776463075791-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Brylee Overman\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-swiper-button elementor-swiper-button-prev\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"Previous\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-eicon-chevron-left\" viewBox=\"0 0 1000 1000\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M646 125C629 125 613 133 604 142L308 442C296 454 292 471 292 487 292 504 296 521 308 533L604 854C617 867 629 875 646 875 663 875 679 871 692 858 704 846 713 829 713 812 713 796 708 779 692 767L438 487 692 225C700 217 708 204 708 187 708 171 704 154 692 142 675 129 663 125 646 125Z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-swiper-button elementor-swiper-button-next\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"Next\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-eicon-chevron-right\" viewBox=\"0 0 1000 1000\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M696 533C708 521 713 504 713 487 713 471 708 454 696 446L400 146C388 133 375 125 354 125 338 125 325 129 313 142 300 154 292 171 292 187 292 204 296 221 308 233L563 492 304 771C292 783 288 800 288 817 288 833 296 850 308 863 321 871 338 875 354 875 371 875 388 867 400 854L696 533Z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-pagination\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7a6f16c elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"7a6f16c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm elementor-animation-grow\" href=\"https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/nextstep\/contact\/\" target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Contact Us<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ce113d8 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"ce113d8\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f03bd74 elementor-widget__width-inherit elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"f03bd74\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The Guarantee<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-af08465 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"af08465\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-65f7c56 elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-hidden-tablet elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"65f7c56\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"268\" src=\"https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/nextstep\/files\/2026\/01\/36C_3CA_5881567_629235535_6-e1729631251982-300x268.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-47\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/nextstep\/files\/2026\/01\/36C_3CA_5881567_629235535_6-e1729631251982-300x268.jpg 300w, https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/nextstep\/files\/2026\/01\/36C_3CA_5881567_629235535_6-e1729631251982-768x686.jpg 768w, https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/nextstep\/files\/2026\/01\/36C_3CA_5881567_629235535_6-e1729631251982.jpg 902w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7816f67 elementor-tablet_extra-align-start elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget-tablet__width-inherit elementor-icon-list--layout-traditional elementor-list-item-link-full_width elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-list\" data-id=\"7816f67\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-list.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-icon-list-items\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-circle\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M256 8C119 8 8 119 8 256s111 248 248 248 248-111 248-248S393 8 256 8z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Mentorship and Guidance<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-circle\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M256 8C119 8 8 119 8 256s111 248 248 248 248-111 248-248S393 8 256 8z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Structured Career Preparation<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-circle\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M256 8C119 8 8 119 8 256s111 248 248 248 248-111 248-248S393 8 256 8z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Improved Employability<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-circle\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M256 8C119 8 8 119 8 256s111 248 248 248 248-111 248-248S393 8 256 8z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Networking Opportunities<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-circle\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M256 8C119 8 8 119 8 256s111 248 248 248 248-111 248-248S393 8 256 8z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Professional Skill Development<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-circle\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M256 8C119 8 8 119 8 256s111 248 248 248 248-111 248-248S393 8 256 8z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Leadership Training<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-circle\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M256 8C119 8 8 119 8 256s111 248 248 248 248-111 248-248S393 8 256 8z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Confidence Building<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-circle\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M256 8C119 8 8 119 8 256s111 248 248 248 248-111 248-248S393 8 256 8z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Accountability and Goal Setting<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d5a8c5c e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"d5a8c5c\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-adbd2fb elementor-widget__width-inherit elementor-widget-tablet_extra__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"adbd2fb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>Benefits of completing the program:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Assistance in securing a full-time job offer within six months of graduation<\/li>\n<li>Securing admission into graduate\/professional school within six months of graduation<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>OR<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Additional Coursework Options: Up to nine hours of undergraduate coursework, <b>provided at no cost<\/b>, to augment career readiness or up to six credits plus a paid internship for further experience.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Southern Arkansas University\u2019s Mulerider Next Step Guarantee is a first-of-its-kind program in Arkansas designed to help students confidently prepare for life after graduation. From their first year on campus, students&#8230; <a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/nextstep\/\"> Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3207,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"elementor_header_footer","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-6","page","type-page","status-publish","entry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/nextstep\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/nextstep\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/nextstep\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/nextstep\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3207"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/nextstep\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/nextstep\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":552,"href":"https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/nextstep\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6\/revisions\/552"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/nextstep\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}