Support for Your College Transition
Wildcat LEAP
Personalized Learning for Academic Success
Hosted at JWU’s Providence Campus, Wildcat Learning Effectiveness in Action Program (LEAP) is a fee-based educational program designed to help students discover how they learn and to develop specific strategies to enhance their learning and personal success.
Wildcat LEAP is a 10-month program tailored for first-year students. Students have the opportunity to remain in LEAP throughout their JWU experience with our LEAP Beyond program.
JWU Providence’s Director of Accessibility Services Nicole Hebert, LICSW, and her team provide targeted support for students navigating executive function challenges. Her team specializes in empowering students to overcome organizational and planning challenges. They focus on building student independence through tailored, actionable support strategies.
As someone who had to hover, raptor-like, over Aaron’s entire educational experience, LEAP has been transformative for us — in addition to being critical to Aaron’s success. Jeff and I have finally been able to exhale!
Bernadette & Jeff, LEAP Parents
Putting Learning Plans into Action
LEAP advisors work in partnership with students to ensure that weekly support sessions meet their individualized needs. In addition to weekly one-on-one meetings, there is continued contact and follow-up throughout the week via collaborative meetings with faculty and family, as needed, and regular email check-ins.
In the spring semester, these weekly sessions are augmented with workshops and other activities designed around student interests. Sessions are tailored to the cohort’s needs and specific goals.
“You learn in LEAP that if you have a schedule to stick to, you stay motivated and you get it done.” - Jonah, Entrepreneurship Major
Individualized Support
Our LEAP advisors have a wide range of experience working with students of all ages with disabilities in school and community-based settings. (One of our advisors discusses the program’s many benefits in the above video.)
Advisors focus on developing individualized support plans, then put into them action through tailored meetings that cultivate everything from organization and time management to prioritizing and planning. They also develop an accommodation plan and connect students with additional JWU services, such as tutoring and counseling.
Advisors work to build an open and trusting relationship where students know they will not be judged. Every action is focused around meeting each student’s personal and professional goals.
Contact Us
Have questions about Wildcat LEAP? Don’t hesitate to get in touch.
LEAP Director Nicole Hebert, LICSW
401-598-4689
nicole.hebert@jwu.edu
Administrative Coordinator Tami Goulet
401-598-4660
accessibility.pvd@jwu.edu
Frequently Asked Questions
Explain the difference between WILDCAT LEAP and LEAP Beyond.
Both are fee-based learning programs to help students discover how they learn and to develop specific strategies to enhance their learning.
Wildcat LEAP is a 10-month program designed for first-year students that includes one-on-one support, a summer component beginning two weeks before the fall semester, and a 3-credit course available only to LEAP participants.
LEAP Beyond is designed for current students with disabilities who are currently registered with JWU Providence’s Accessibility Services. LEAP Beyond supports students in developing executive functioning skills to strengthen their academic and personal success. Areas of focus will include working memory, social information processing, cognitive flexibility, perspective-taking, inhibitory control, and social regulation.
LEAP Beyond is separate from Wildcat LEAP.
What disability types do both programs support?
Both programs are ideally suited for students with executive function challenges. These may include, but are not limited to, AD/HD, anxiety, depression, autism spectrum disorder and/or specific learning disability. These programs are not appropriate for other types of disabilities, such as severe cognitive or developmental disabilities.
Suitability for LEAP and LEAP Beyond is determined on an individual basis.
Wildcat LEAP FAQ
How are LEAP participants involved throughout the year?
Wildcat LEAP is built on a cohort model, with a maximum of 25 students per learning program advisor.
Two weeks before the fall semester, the cohort peer experience starts with a 10-day intensive summer component designed to support the transition from high school to college.
The first five days of the summer component are delivered remotely, allowing LEAP students to begin to learn about themselves and their learning styles, the resources available at JWU, and develop peer supports within their LEAP cohort while in the comfort of their homes. The next five days are delivered in person. LEAP students move to campus a week before move-in weekend, which allows them to begin living on campus while campus is fairly quiet.
Once the academic year starts, LEAP participants benefit from weekly individualized support from their Learning Advisor. In addition to this one-on-one support, the LEAP cohort is enrolled in a 3-credit course designed specifically for LEAP participants.
In the spring semester, weekly individualized sessions continue with the LEAP advisor; in addition, the cohort participates in small group activities on topics selected by the group. In April, students transition from their advisor to a peer-led support group. At the conclusion of the program in April, each student receives an individualized academic portfolio demonstrating comprehensive evidence of applied learning strategies.
Is there an application process for Wildcat LEAP?
Yes, students must provide recent (within the last three years) testing results along with documentation of their diagnoses. If older testing results are shared, they will be reviewed; however, more recent testing is optimal to fully understand learning needs and strengths.
Is an interview required for acceptance into LEAP?
Yes, all applicants are asked to participate in an individual interview to answer questions and ensure LEAP is a good fit. The interview is held on Zoom at a time that is convenient for the student and their family.
I can’t participate in the 10-day summer program. Can I still enroll in LEAP?
Building a social network of peer supports is an integral part of Wildcat LEAP and supports the high-school-to-college transition. For this reason, we recommend that LEAP students participate in the summer component; however, if you are unable to participate, you are welcome to join the LEAP cohort when you arrive in the fall.
LEAP Beyond FAQ
How are participants involved throughout the year?
LEAP Beyond students develop a one-on-one relationship with their ROAR Learning Advisor during biweekly sessions. These sessions maintain a focus on developing executive function and social cognition skills, but with enough flexibility to meet each student where they are and provide the supports specific to their needs. Additional supports include biweekly groups on topics like mindfulness and study strategies. Weekly group opportunities are partnership with other on-campus departments.
Who is eligible to participate in LEAP Beyond?
LEAP Beyond is ideal for students who feel they would benefit from weekly individualized support throughout the academic year. This can include students who participated in Wildcat LEAP during their first year at JWU and would like to continue the weekly individualized support they received from their LEAP Advisor. Students who did not participate in Wildcat LEAP during their first year and feel they could benefit from the added support are also welcome to participate. LEAP Beyond is also ideal for students who are transferring to JWU from other post-secondary institutions and would benefit from weekly individualized support. Note that the program is not appropriate for first-year students.
Is there a required interview?
Yes, all applicants will engage in an interview process to answer questions the student and their family may have about the program and to ensure LEAP Beyond is the right program for them. Interviews can be held in person or facilitated via Zoom and scheduled at a convenient time for the student and their family, as appropriate.
Do not hesitate to contact the LEAP team if you have any questions or concerns.
