Tampa Bay
What makes them unique?
01Vibrant, Trusting Partnerships
02True Collective Impact
032021 NCAN Member of Year
All Talent Hubs
Overview
The power of community collaboration to accelerate prosperity
LEAP Tampa Bay is a network of more than 60 community partners committed to changing lives by connecting residents to education and training beyond high school. A cross-sector network convened to promote their community-wide commitment to college access and attainment, LEAP leaders use a collective impact model of collaboration to guide coordinated need-based strategies by partners from across business, education, government and non-profits. All the work is geared at increasing attainment of high-quality degrees and career and technical training credentials to help build Tampa Bay’s workforce talent base.
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Outcomes
Key Initiatives
Complete Tampa Bay College Coaching Initiative
Launched by a grant from Lumina Foundation, a national leader in post-secondary attainment, our completion coach supports returning adult learners by 1) helping them find the right school and pathway for re-engagement; 2) complete the financial aid process; 3) maximize credits they’ve already earned; and 4) access other basic needs resources. The work strategically aligns with State of Florida completion initiatives and pays special attention to anyone within 12 credits of earning their degree or certificate. Technical colleges, United Way, as well as local Urban League organizations are partners in delivering the many types of community support students need.
College partners have all signed data sharing MOUs with the LEAP network, allowing the coach’s outreach to be seamless as possible.
The benefits are clear. Not only does our workforce gain more skilled employees, but individuals who complete a credential, like an Associate Degree, earn up to 16% more on average and are 27% less likely to be unemployed than those with a high school diploma (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2019).
Expanding College & Career Centers
Since the 2018-19 school year, LEAP Tampa Bay College Access Network and partners have championed the expansion of high school-based, volunteer-led College and Career Centers. This school-based center model was designed to give high school students a deeper level of support for college and financial aid planning, college entrance test preparation, as well as strengthen parent and student engagement in the process of preparing for a student’s next step.
The centers were modeled after a successful center at Robinson High School in Hillsborough County, which over a six-year period helped the school regularly be a district-wide leader in students completing Financial Aid (FAFSA), earning scholarships and completing College Entrance applications.
Even during a school year (19-20) abruptly interrupted by the COVID-19 crisis, one easy measure of a center’s impact is its ability to support students applying for financial aid. The FAFSA results at these schools begin to clearly demonstrate the centers’ value. Four of the six schools operating last year had increases in FAFSA completion ranging from 5.1% to 12.8% points above district average, with two at or near the top of their district performance.
Fuse Scholarships
A scholarship program designed to amplify the Fuse: Guaranteed Admission to University of South Florida pathway program, LEAP Tampa Bay partners collaboratively raised $3.5 million dollars and have funded 500+ students with awards of $5,500 each to date. Fuse students start at local state (or community) colleges and transfer to USF with direct admission to their major. Their scholarship follows them along the entire path, supporting them incrementally with funding as they continue their pathway.
Partners
Featured
Community Foundation of Tampa Bay
Community Foundation Tampa Bay is a 501 (C)(3) public charity that connects people, ideas and resources to create meaningful, lasting impact across the region — Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Hernando and Citrus counties. The foundation was a founding partner of LEAP Tampa Bay and remains an integral partner to convening and advancing system level efforts to improve education outcomes throughout the region.
Helios Education Foundation
Foundation
Tampa Bay Chamber
Chamber of Commerce
Career Source Tampa Bay
Career Connections
Polk State College
Higher Education
Tampa Bay Tech
Higher Education
The University of Tampa
Higher Education
“LEAP is a model for building, strengthening and empowering communities throughout Tampa Bay to close equity gaps in postsecondary attainment. The City of Tampa is proud to partner with LEAP and is grateful for its contributions to improving the quality of life for our residents through degree and credential attainment.”
Mayor Jane Castor, City of Tampa Bay
ounding Partner of LEAP Tampa Bay College Access Network.
“LEAP leverages its collective framework to lower systemic barriers, thus increasing 2- and 4-year degrees as well as “stacking” credentials for limited income, Black and Brown populations, and first-generation college students in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties.”
Dr. Tonjua Williams, President
St. Petersburg College, Founding Partner of LEAP Tampa Bay College Access Network
“In five years, LEAP has pulled together a multi-sector network of community partners, programs and initiatives that has Tampa Bay well on its way to not only meeting this (60%) goal, but surpass it. In addition to the progress LEAP’s collective impact model has made toward degree attainment, it has provided the bonus benefit of serving as a strong corporate recruitment tool.” C
Craig Richard, CEcD, President and CEO
ampa Bay Economic Development Council, Founding Partner of LEAP Tampa Bay College Access Network.
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