LEAP is a program that identifies students who lack English language proficiency and gives these students the support and services they need to assure that they will not be excluded from participation in occupational/technical education programs offered at Palo Alto.

Lydia Hannawi, Coordinator of LEAP, said that many coming from foreign countries don't know that their high school transcripts will transfer to colleges in the United States. Once a student enters the LEAP office, the staff does everything possible to help this student enroll in college and become successful.

“There is a lot of one-on-one contact with the student. We literally walk with every student who meets the criteria to enroll,” said Hannawi. “We walk them over to Admissions and Financial Aid and help them out. We literally become the translator for the student.”

Daniel Garza, a sophomore, has a great admiration for the program and its staff. “It's awesome. It's perfect for limited English speakers,” said Garza. “[The staff] is there — always — when you need help, without complaints.”

LEAP is funded by the government through a Perkins grant. Under this grant, there are three, basic criteria students must meet for admission into the program: limited English, a financial need and a willingness to enroll in a technical vocation, which is an Associate of Applied Science degree plan.

Students who do not meet the criteria are not turned away when they enter the LEAP office. “We do whatever we can to assist them,” said Hannawi

LEAP helps students in many ways. They offer students assistance with textbooks, calculators and dictionaries. The program has a computer lab to assist students with homework assignments. The program also helps with bus tickets, child-care assistance and referral services for some community programs.

“It [LEAP] is very good,” said Emilia Gonzalez, who is in her third semester at PAC. “They help with homework and speech. They help with books and dictionaries.”

The main goal or purpose of LEAP is to offer bilingual tutoring. Individuals can get individual or group tutoring in developmental courses such as English, Reading, Speech, Math and several other related courses.

“It is helping many people,” said Juana Rodriguez, a junior Biology major at UTSA. “Without this program, they [limited English speakers] could not be here.”

Through the use of bilingual tutoring, focus is given to the needs of students who lack English language proficiency.

“I like them [tutors],” said Lina Maria Varela, in her second semester at Palo Alto. “When I arrived here in the USA, I did not talk or read English. The tutors have helped me a lot.”

Tutors assist students with assignments; they review materials covered in class; they assess a student's work (i.e. essays, research papers); and they help with study skills, test-taking skills and time management.

“[The tutors] have the experience. They are outstanding,” said Garza. “They encourage you to achieve your goals.”

Juana Rodriguez is one of the tutors at LEAP. Rodriguez started out as a student in LEAP in the Fall of 1994. When she graduated from Palo Alto in the Spring of 1999, she was honored with the Perseverance Award.

“My first goal was to learn English,” said Rodriguez. “In the beginning, it was difficult. I had to adapt to a new environment and the language is the most difficult.”

Rodriguez made it through the program and is now giving back to it. She tutors students in English, Math and Speech.

“As a tutor, I learn a lot,” said Rodriguez. “It [tutoring] is a mutual help. I know how they feel and I'm trying to help them.”

All tutoring services are provided, free of charge, to all students currently enrolled in and qualified for LEAP. Students wishing to take advantage of these services should stop by the LEAP Office located in the Palomino Center, Room 115A, or call 921-5089 to schedule an appointment.

LEAP has students from all over the globe: Mexico, Columbia, Turkey, Korea and China.

This program offers these students many opportunities, and the reasons these students are here are varied.

“I would like a better job,” said Gonzalez. “I need to speak more English for my son and for me.”

Varela adds, “My brother is a student here and I wanted to learn English, too.”

In the end, the program is about the students and what it offers them...a chance to further their education and achieve whatever it is they are looking for.

“I feel satisfied with myself,” said Rodriguez.