Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn speaks on the City of Tampa’s participation in LEAP, commitment to create a stronger workforce.
A new community initiative is going to help more Hillsborough students leap toward success from college to career. LEAP, the local college access network serving Hillsborough County, celebrated its official launch and the reveal of its new website earlier this month.
LEAP will focus on increasing the proportion of working-age adults who carry a postsecondary degree or credential to 60 percent by the year 2025. The Community Foundation of Tampa Bay, the anchor organization for the network, joined several partners for the launch, including Bank of America, The City of Tampa, Florida College Access Network (Florida CAN), Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce, Helios Education Foundation, Hillsborough Community College (HCC),Hillsborough County Government, Hillsborough County Public Schools, Hillsborough Education Foundation, Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corporation and the University of South Florida (USF).
LEAP will accomplish its goals by focusing a number of collaborative initiatives, including raising FAFSA completion rates for high school seniors and supporting FUSE, a new admissions program that will provide a clear pathway for students who enroll at Hillsborough Community College to the University of South Florida starting this fall. LEAP’s other initiatives include identifying existing services and supports that will help students achieve postsecondary success and implementing a strategic communications effort to broaden awareness and community support of college access and success initiatives.
To learn more about LEAP’s launch, visit the Community Foundation of Tampa Bay and Helios Education Foundation website. For more information on LEAP, visit www.leaphillsborough.org.
Florida CAN applauds LEAP on its successful launch!