LEAP graduates, peer mentors, and staff gather for a group photo at the 2025 LEAP Awards Ceremony, celebrating 10 years of student success and achievement at Lee University
Lee University’s Learn Engage Achieve Program marked its 10th year of student success and achievement with the 2025 LEAP Awards Ceremony, honoring 32 graduating seniors from the May and July classes. The celebration, held at the university’s Dethero House, brought together LEAP students, peer mentors, and staff for an evening of reflection, recognition, and celebration.
"It is our greatest privilege to celebrate our LEAP graduates, many of whom are graduating with high honors,” said Dr. Angela Waltrip. “We get to know each student very well over their four years at Lee. We honor each of their stories as scholars and true Christian believers who will make a difference in their disciplines and communities.”
The event opened with a devotion and prayer led by Joshua Alexander, LEAP academic coordinator. Kathi Douglas, LEAP community coordinator, then shared a reflection message. Following that, Dr. Waltrip, LEAP director, presented the awards. The ceremony concluded with a closing prayer offered by Jocelyn VanSandt, LEAP coach.
According to Dr. Waltrip, the highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of LEAP’s top three program awards.
The Learn Award went to Aiden Giavelli, a chemistry major with a minor in engineering science from Powder Springs, Ga. This award is dedicated to the LEAP individual who is drawn to the process of learning and shows growth in academics as well as all other categories of LEAP to include career exploration, personal development, and financial and economic literacy.
Attaya Lafayette, a youth ministry major from Hornbeak, Tn., received the Engage Award, which is given to the LEAP individual who fully engages in curricular, co-curricular, and extra-curricular activities.
“LEAP is a family and a support system that will last many years,” said Ms. Lafayette. “All of the friendships and relationships I've been able to have through LEAP have meant the world to me. They value your academic success as well as your personal well-being. They want nothing more than to see you strive and do great and will be your biggest cheerleader throughout your time at Lee and beyond.”
The Achieve Award, given to the LEAP scholar who strives to achieve both personal and academic goals, was awarded to David Steinmetz, an English writing major with a deaf studies minor from Belize.
“I joined LEAP at the start of my junior year, and since then, it has become a place where I can learn more about myself and others via workshops and road trips,” said Mr. Steinmetz. “I have made friends with so many people I never otherwise would have had the pleasure of interacting with."
The 32 LEAP graduates honored at this ceremony include Noelle Allgood, Josslyn Ames, Dursun Asik, Connor Brown, Makailee Brown, Kayla Noelle Clark, Jordyn Frees, Hannah Garner, Giavelli, Grime, Raeann Joy Heisner, Elizabeth Hicks, Hannah Hitchcock, Mikayla Hubbard, Khamphengphet, Catherine Kister, Ms. Lafayette, Melissa Mancipe, Elijah Peace, Destiny Peace, Keziah Sanchez, Marie Slone, Conner Smith, Noah Smith, Hannah Soukup, Kenzie Sprouse, Mr. Steinmetz, Melanie Tarpley, Vu Tran, Joceline Varela, Yasmin Vasquez, and Wright.
“LEAP has been a meaningful part of my time at Lee,” said Ms. Clark, an accounting major from Dayton. “As a first-generation college student, I faced many challenges, but the support from my coaches and mentors helped me reach graduation. I was also able to give back by mentoring freshmen, which was deeply rewarding. LEAP shaped me both academically and personally, and for that, I’m grateful.”
Funded in part by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education, LEAP is a TRIO SSS program and currently serves 140 first-generation, income qualifying, or disability students at Lee each year who meet the eligibility criteria. The program provides individual success coaching, peer mentors, direct student aid, financial aid counseling, financial literacy education, cultural and academic enrichment opportunities, and other personalized services according to individual students’ needs.
For more information about LEAP, visit leeuniversity.edu/leap/ or email leap@leeuniversity.edu.