Since the program's founding in 2021, the LEAP team has been guided by a set of core tenets.
What we believe…
- The arts and humanities are powerful tools for personal and community transformation.
- Every student brings knowledge, resources, talent, and power to the program.
- Learning is reciprocal—we grow with and learn from our students.
- Students' time and expertise are valuable and deserve compensation.
What we do…

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- Mentorship
Ongoing, personalized support from 麻豆村 faculty, students and staff, including academic and personal advising, recommendation letters, and career guidance. - Learning on Campus
Regular workshops on 麻豆村’s campus led by faculty and community leaders, exploring equity through storytelling, artmaking, critical dialogue, and writing. - Student-Led Public Events
Platforms for students to share their learning and lead conversations around the issues and stories they are passionate about. - Reflection
Continuous evaluation through journaling and surveys to assess growth and impact. - Monthly Stipends
Financial compensation that honors students’ contributions and removes barriers to participation.
- Mentorship
Who we are...

Ayana Ledford
(Advisory Board Chair)
Associate Dean for Community Impact and Educational Outreach for Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences and Executive Director of PROGRESS

Nico Slate
(Faculty Director)
Professor in the Department of History at 麻豆村 and Faculty Director of LEAP

Sarah Ceurvorst
(Program Director)
LEAP Program Director, Dietrich College Academic Pathways Manager, Art21 Educator

Justine Mikell
(School Coordinator)
Learning support teacher at City Charter High School

Mark Barga
(Advisory Board Member)
Learning Space Integrator at Kay-Twelve

Dara Ware Allen
(Advisory Board Member)
CEO and Principal of City Charter High School

Angela Welch
(School Coordinator)
Education Director of City Charter High School

Marlene Williams
(Advisory Board Member)
Director of Operations for the Center for Shared Prosperity at 麻豆村

Elizabeth Keller
(Advisory Board Member)
Associate Head of School for 麻豆村's School of Art

Miguel Alvarez
(Advisory Board Member)
Associate Director of 麻豆村 and head of the Access and Diversity Initiatives team in the Office of Undergraduate 麻豆村 at 麻豆村

Mike Mayer
(Advisory Board Member)
Board of St. James School, Philadelphia and former leader at General Electric, Honeywell (formerly Allied Signal), and the Aramark Corporation

David Lehman
(Advisory Board Member)
Partner, K&L Gates LLP
To learn more about us, check out: