1. LEAD Scholars Program Leadership Excellence and Academic Development Erin Kimura-Walsh, Assistant Director www.scu.edu

2. Purpose The LEAD Scholars Program:  Fosters college success of first generation college students (those whose parents have not attended college)  Challenges participants academically while exposing them to university culture and community

3. Timeline  Established as “Bridge Program” in 2002 with James Irvine Foundation grant  30 students in the first Bridge Program 2003- 2004  Housed in Drahmann Center  Transformed into the LEAD Scholars Program 2007  LEAD = Leadership Excellence and Academic Development  Housed in Office of Honors and Fellowships

4. Selection Process  60 first generation college students each year –Financial need (FAFSA) –Receiving need-based and merit-based aid –Not participating in other University honors programs –Distributed across demographic groups  Gender  Race  Geography  Majors  Academic performance

5. Participants by Race and Gender

6. Program Components  Summer before first year –Orientation Sessions 2 & 3 –LEAD Week  First year –LEAD CTW 1 & 2  LEAD Research Symposium –LEAD Seminars  LEAD 1, fall: Transition and Resources  LEAD 2, winter: Leadership Exploration  LEAD 10, spring: Optional ELSJ course, Creating College Going Communities  All four years –Academic and professional development opportunities

7. LEAD Week Activities CTW 1 and LEAD Week elective in Engineering, Chemistry, Business, or Humanities/Social Sciences Small mentoring groups and large group community building

8. LEAD Research Symposium

9. Persistence Rates  First to second year persistence (class of 2011 & 2012) –LEAD Scholars: 96% –Comparison Group: 90%  Second to third year persistence (class of 2011) –LEAD Scholars: 93% –Comparison Group: 79%

11. Future Developments  Increasing stability and continuity  Development of programming for 2 nd, 3 rd and 4 th year students –Research seminar for juniors and seniors  Use of research to improve programming  Alumni outreach –Alumni network and panels  10th anniversary celebration (2013-2014)