Leadership Program (LEAP)

FASFAA’s Leadership Education for Association Professionals Program, better known as LEAP, is designed to equip new and aspiring financial aid administrators with the resources and tools to become better leaders in our profession and provide opportunities of professional networking and involvement with FASFAA. Topics of discussion include emotional intelligence, diversity, equity and inclusion, effective communication, work-life balance/wellness, change management, and much more. Participants meet once a month to engage in these topics and to meet one-on-one with their assigned mentors. 

This year’s LEAP experience is designed to "Assemble" aspiring and accomplished FA leaders with engaging discussions and activities that build on your core attributes, proficiencies and your experience. Your time in this evolutionary program can give you tools to enhance your confidence as a leader in Financial Aid. This program will:

  • Enhance your network of Financial Aid and Higher Education connections, starting with the FASFAA community
  • Assign a knowledgeable mentor with program participants to provide professional guidance to individually interact through scheduled (virtual) monthly check-ins
  • Provide scheduled (virtual) monthly meetings with other LEAP participants to for dynamic discussions and activities that foster your professional development as a leader
  • Offer engaging reading materials on relevant leadership and career development topics
  • Challenge you to identify your strengths and areas for improvement, with practical and actionable implementation plans
  • Assist with deciding the best path to reach your financial aid career goals
  • Provide additional opportunities for FASFAA involvement through volunteering or committee participation

This year’s program is facilitated by Karissa Lawson, Coordinator I at University of Central Florida & Traci Spagnoli-Rego, Assistant Director at Broward College.

If you are interested in being a mentor for this year's LEAP Cohort, please complete this form: LEAP Mentor Interest Form.

If you are interested in participating in the LEAP program as a mentee, please complete this form: LEAP Participant Interest Form.

Class of 2022-2023 LEAP Participants