LEAP Advance

The 2025 LEAP Advance Program has concluded.
Please check back in 2026 for future programming!

LEAP Advance is an intensive leadership development program designed to support higher education professionals in enhancing their leadership skills. In partnership with Asian Pacific Americans in Higher Education (APAHE), the program prepares participants for greater influence and visibility in academic institutions through an Asian and Pacific Islander cultural lens.

Leadership Development Program for Higher Education

Curriculum Highlights

Culturally responsive leadership development
One-on-one and small group mentoring
Mock interviewing practice and executive presence
Sessions with senior level higher education leaders and college presidents

Key Outcomes

Enhanced leadership capacity within academic institutions
Greater self-awareness of cultural leadership identity
Expanded professional network and visibility within higher education

“Being engaged with LEAP will expose you to opportunities that you may have never have thought of yourself.”

Henry Gee, LEAP ‘97
Vice President, Student Services, Rio Hondo College

Program Overview

Format

In person at the Kellogg West Conference Center on the campus of California Polytechnic University, Pomona

Duration

4 days, Weds-Saturday every 2nd of week July

Cohort Size

30-35 Professionals

Ideal Participant Profile

Higher education professionals of all backgrounds and academic disciplines with 5+ years of experience and working as administrators, faculty, or staff in higher education institutions.

Application Information

Acceptances are made on a rolling basis and seats are limited.

Contacts

Chingcha Vang
Senior Program Manager
(323) 572-5992
cvang@leap.org

Eledy Vargas
Operations Manager
(213) 453-7840
evargas@leap.org

I want to apply for LEAP Advance!

Get in Touch

Alumni Thoughts About LEAP Advance:

Linus Yamane, LEAP '13

Wynne Chin, LEAP '08

Nancy Wada-McKee, LEAP '07

Nancy Wada-McKee is the Assistant VP of Student Affairs from California State University, Los Angeles. Here she shares her thoughts on the importance of higher education leadership and her experience as a participant in LEAP's Leadership Development Program for Higher Education.

Pat Neilson, LEAP '97

Bryan Tsukimura, LEAP '99

“LEAP Advance is truly the most uplifting and memorable professional development I have participated in. It is through this program that I am encouraged to aspire to higher levels of leadership within higher education. LEAP Advance instilled in me the important role I have as an Asian Pacific American on a college campus. Our professional presence in higher education is not only important for students, but aspiring APA professionals who are working to ‘make their mark’ as leaders in higher education.”

“I cannot remember a single program where the contents were that rich, with the caliber of the facilitators, educators, and the mentors and the level of their involvement and commitment to the participant success I experienced.”

“The most profound takeaway for me was the reassurance and confirmation that I’m ready for the next step, and that a support group exists to help guide me along the way.”