NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Leadership Enterprise for a Diverse America (LEDA), announced today that it has selected 101 high school students for its LEDA Scholars program to attend its 18th annual intensive Aspects of Leadership Summer Institute, dedicated to providing college admissions access, pre-college preparation and leadership development to exceptional young leaders from under-resourced backgrounds.
The students come from New York, Alaska, Navajo Reservations and 35 other states and territories; 87% will be first-generation college students. They will join a LEDA community of 1,800 similar students and alumni across the nation.
LEDA is a gateway for our nation’s best students from under-resourced communities to gain a top-tier higher education, providing the admissions, college success, and early career support that develops a diverse corps of leaders. In addition to LEDA’s 5-week Summer Institute, LEDA provides students – LEDA Scholars – with ongoing year-round support to help them gain admission to the most selective U.S. colleges, positioning them for future success.
“This year LEDA had one of the most talented applicant pool we have ever seen,” said Ilana Goldman, LEDA’s Interim Executive Director. “Given how the pandemic impacted the educational process, we were thrilled to see applicants of every background stepping up to reach their goals.”
Colleges and universities understand the merits of LEDA Scholars: unparalleled academic achievement, leadership capacity and community values. “The demand for such students is high. I hope every parent, teacher, guidance counselor and mentor will encourage their students to apply,” said Goldman.
Backgrounds of students in the cohort are 40% Latino, 31% Black, 22% Asian, 3% Native American and 4% White. This year’s cohort is exceedingly special as LEDA champions a diverse set of young adults many of whom come from hard-to-reach communities where the pandemic accentuated difficulties during the COVID-19 pandemic.
On June 25th, LEDA’s “Cohort 18” will begin their summer residential experience at Princeton University to develop leadership skills, prepare for college and build a strong, long-lasting community. Afterwards, Scholars will receive ongoing academic, socio-emotional and professional support, including career development and graduate school planning. Major corporations including Standard Chartered Bank, McKinsey, Bloomberg, and others have partnered with LEDA to help Scholars prepare for their careers.
“LEDA was one of the first places that helped me give voice to my life experiences by way of its curriculum. I am so grateful for the kind, generous and intelligent people that taught me so many lessons inside and outside of the classroom that I still carry to this day,” said Vang, a LEDA Cohort 3 Alumni.
After completing LEDA’s Summer Institute and receiving ongoing support throughout the college application process, Scholars have attended Princeton, Stanford, Harvard, Yale, Howard, Rice, University of North Carolina, and other top tier colleges. In the past, LEDA Scholars pursued careers in academia, nonprofit management, engineering, teaching, medicine, law and other fields.
About LEDA
Leadership Enterprise for a Diverse America (LEDA) empowers a community of exceptional young leaders from under-resourced backgrounds by supporting their higher education and professional success in order to create a more inclusive and equitable country. LEDA’s vision is an inclusive and equitable America where leadership reflects, celebrates, and supports diverse perspectives. Additional information is available on LEDA’s website.
