UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Each year, approximately 1,400 incoming first-year students get their first taste of college life during the Learning Edge Academic Program (LEAP).

Now in its 25th year, LEAP combines required course work with opportunities for these students to become familiar with University resources and expectations, interact with Penn State faculty and learn to navigate the University Park campus. LEAP Prides are capped at 24 students to keep the class size small and each pride is assigned a student mentor to serve as a role model and resource.

LEAP Mentors are essential to the success of the LEAP program, and are responsible for helping to lead their peers through enriching academic and social activities and helping first-year students have a successful transition to Penn State. The mentor serves as a role model to first-year students and helps them form a sense of belonging at Penn State by building a small community within the large University.  LEAP mentors also have the opportunity to build upon their own communication and leadership skills.

This year LEAP mentor applications open Nov. 11. Interested students must be full-time students at the University Park campus and in good academic standing. LEAP runs during Summer Session II, from June 29 to Aug. 14, and mentors must be available during the session. Mentors also attend weekly staff meetings during the session and participate in evening and weekend activities.

Aspiring mentors can attend one of three information sessions:

• 7 p.m. Dec. 11, in 134 HUB-Robeson Center
• 7:30 p.m. Jan. 20, 2020, in 134 HUB-Robeson Center
• 7 p.m. Feb. 14, 2020, in 104 Thomas

Applications close Feb. 14, 2020. In addition to work during Summer Session II, mentors must attend training from June 25 to 28, 2020.

Questions can be sent to LEAP@psu.edu.

The Office for Summer Session is part of the Penn State Office of Undergraduate Education, the academic administrative unit that provides leadership and coordination for University-wide programs and initiatives in support of undergraduate teaching and learning at Penn State. Learn more about Undergraduate Education at undergrad.psu.edu.