The Learning Edge Academic Program (LEAP) is a summer program for new first-year Penn State students. LEAP Mentors serve as peer mentors for a group of 24 to 48 first-year students by engaging them in academic and social programming, serving as a resource, helping them learn their way around the campus and community, and helping to ease their transition to college.
Minimum Qualifications
- Be a current undergraduate student at Penn State
- Have at least a 2.8 cumulative GPA
- Be in good conduct standing with the university
- Be highly motivated, enthusiastic, dependable, and sincere in representing Penn State and the LEAP Program
Hiring Process
To become a LEAP Mentor, you will need to complete the following steps:
1. Register for and attend an information session.
Please use the links below to register for an information session. You only need to attend one of the sessions.
– Register for the session on January 18, 2024 at 8:00 p.m.
– Register for the session on January 24, 2024 at 8:00 p.m.
2. Apply for the position
The LEAP Mentor position is now available in workday. If for some reason the link does not work, visit https://hr.psu.edu/careers and then searching for the LEAP Mentor job posting at that time.
If this is your first time applying for a position with Penn State or if you don’t remember how you have done so in the past, check out this student application process guide.
3. Participate in the Group Interview process
Interviews for the LEAP Mentor position will be held in late February. Students who apply will be contacted in mid-February to schedule an interview. LEAP mentors participate in a group interview process so we can observe your interactions with your peers because the LEAP mentor position requires the ability to connect with the students you are mentoring.
4. Complete HR On-boarding
Mentors who are hired will need to complete on-boarding through Penn State Human Resources. This includes paperwork and online training modules.
5. Attend Mentor Orientation and Training
Mentors will have mentor orientation in April and mentor training in June. The dates for the orientation will be updated in January 2024. LEAP Mentor training in summer 2024 will take place June 20 – 22, 2024.
6. LEAP Mentor Compensation
LEAP mentors receive an hourly wage of $10 per hour as well as housing (single residence hall room) and a meal plan for Summer Session II.
The LEAP program runs from Sunday, June 23, 2024 – Friday, August 9, 2024.
For more information, contact the Office for Summer Session at leap@psu.edu or 814-863-4174.