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…
-
- Mentorship
Ongoing, personalized support from CMU faculty and staff, including academic and personal advising, recommendation letters, and career guidance. - Learning on Campus
Regular workshops on CMU’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 CMU 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)
Education design specialist 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 CMU
Elizabeth Keller
(Advisory Board Member)
Associate Head of School for CMU's School of Art
Miguel Alvarez
(Advisory Board Member)
Associate Director of Admission and head of the Access and Diversity Initiatives team in the Office of Undergraduate Admission at CMU
Mike Mayer
(Advisory Board Member)
Board member of the COPD Foundation 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: