Transition Academy Lands $200,000 Grant From Trinity Church
L.E.A.P. Workshops center on college readiness programs
By David Gil de Rubio
When spring semester rolls around, students in need of academic mentorship will be able to apply to be part of the Transition Academy’s L.E.A.P. (Learning and Educational Assistance Program) College Readiness Workshop Series. Funded by a $200,000 grant awarded by Trinity Church, L.E.A.P. is a student-centered initiative designed to promote academic achievement, personal growth, and social belonging among first- and second-year college students. The L.E.A.P. program takes a holistic approach to student success by combining interactive workshops with peer mentorship and tutoring. It’s a program Dr. Waleek Boone, founder and director of the Medgar Evers College Transition Academy, felt was in great need when the application was filed for the grant.
“We applied for this grant because many freshman and sophomore students enter college without the academic, social, and personal readiness skills needed to succeed,” Boone explained. “By scaling Transition Academy and launching a College Readiness Workshop Series, we can support students early, strengthen their confidence, and improve persistence—especially for first-generation and underserved students who benefit most from structured guidance.”
Dr. Jesse Kane, Senior Vice President of Student Success and Enrollment, is quick to see the positive impact this donation will have on the upward trajectory of Medgar Evers Students and one he’s grateful for.
“We are incredibly thankful to Trinity Church for such generous support for this initiative,” Kane said. “The work the Transition Academy does is focused on removing barriers to student success. With this support, Dr. Boone and the L.E.A.P. Team will be able to expand his services to now provide focused academic support to students.”
The program will run from spring 2025 to fall 2026 with a cohort of 25 students per semester. The workshop series consists of six to eight sessions per semester, each 60–90 minutes long, co-facilitated by mentors and designed to be interactive, reflective, and practical. Paid junior and senior students serve as trained mentors and academic coaches, helping underclassmen navigate college life with confidence and purpose. This model fosters meaningful peer connections while equipping students with essential skills in academic strategy, emotional wellness, inclusive learning, and career preparation.
Students are matched with mentors based on interests or majors, receive individualized support through check-ins, and gain access to academic and wellness resources. L.E.A.P. especially supports underrepresented and first-generation students by creating a safe, affirming space for growth, empowerment, and belonging. For mentors, the program offers valuable leadership and facilitation experience that prepares them for
future roles in education, counseling, and beyond. The ultimate goal is to build a sustainable, peer-driven model that improves retention, engagement, and graduation outcomes while promoting equity and academic excellence. These are the kinds of tangible benefits Boone sees participants in this program walking away with.
“The L.E.A.P Program is important because it gives early-year college students the skills and support they often lack—such as study strategies, time management, resource navigation, and confidence building,” Boone said. “It strengthens retention, improves academic success, and ensures first-generation and underserved students have the tools needed to thrive.”
He added, “We hope students leave this program more confident, prepared, and connected to their goals. We want them to gain the skills to navigate college, use resources, manage challenges, and explore career paths early. Most of all, we hope they feel supported, build resilience, and see themselves as capable of achieving long-term academic and personal success.”
The grant’s benefactor, Trinity Church, is a Manhattan-based Episcopal founded in 1697. Trinity’s outreach includes worship and faith education, charitable grantmaking, and hands-on assistance for those in need. This latest grant acquired by the Medgar Evers College Transition Academy comes from Trinity’s $6 billion endowment and represents the more than $200 million worth of philanthropic giving the church has facilitated to almost 500 organizations since 2020.