LEAP Emerge Fellowship Program

LEAP Emerge is an academic year fellowship program designed to empower rising young leaders by providing college students with tangible leadership skills, introductions to a diverse range of industries, personalized mentorship, and individualized support preparing them for post-graduate careers.

LEAP is looking for professionally-driven students who aspire to make a positive impact in their community. An ideal applicant would possess leadership experience in extracurriculars and working with others. Although an applicant does not need to know what career they intend on pursuing after graduation, they should understand their values and what motivates them to get out of bed in the morning. Emerge fellows should be curious and willing to learn throughout every step of the fellowship. Among these base characteristics, a standout applicant is someone who desires to lift people up as they climb – a person who understands the importance of community.

Eligibility

College students who will be in their last year of undergraduate in the 2025-2026 school year and are looking for an entry level/internship position after graduation. Juniors or 5th years in their last year of college may also apply.

Program Structure

From August 2025 to May 2026, Fellows are required to participate in monthly virtual LEAP leadership development trainings that will prepare them for a job after graduation. The exact day and time of these meetings are TBD pending class schedules, but will range from 1-2 hours each session.

In addition to these professional development workshops, Emerge fellows will be paired with multiple mentors throughout the year and must meet with their mentors at least once a month for resume review, industry insight, and workplace advice.

Throughout the course of the fellowship, fellows will have the opportunity to research issues facing Asian and Pacific Islander communities, and collaboratively create a Community Impact Project that addresses these problems. 

Fellows will be required to spend 30 hours during the fellowship to obtain a certificate for a professional development skill.

Compensation

LEAP provides our Emerge Fellows with a $5,000 stipend over the course of the school year. The first $2,500 will be distributed in the first tax year during fall, and the second will be distributed in the second tax year during winter.

For more information visit our website https://www.leap.org/emerge.