What We Do
Policy Project
LEDA launched the LEDA Policy Project in 2017 thanks to a transformative investment from Lumina Foundation. The Policy Project trains and positions young leaders from underrepresented backgrounds to lend their voices to federal policy discussions pertaining to postsecondary education.
LEDA Policy Corps
The LEDA Policy Corps is comprised of LEDA Scholars and Career Fellows selected through a competitive application process to participate in the Policy Project.
Education policy frames so much of our lives, yet many of the diverse voices that are disproportionately impacted by the lack of equitable opportunities are left out of key policy discussions. The LEDA Policy Corps equips leaders with the knowledge, resources, and confidence needed to bring higher education conversations about diversity, equity, and inclusion to the fore.
The following 20 Scholars and Fellows represent the LEDA Policy Corps for the 2020-2021 term, which runs from August 1, 2020, through May 31, 2021.
Jesse Amankwaah
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Ariana Berumen
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Valeria Bula
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Jackie Centeno
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Arleth Cespedes
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Christopher Garcia
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Cynthia Guerrero
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Jenny Ha
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Omar Ibrahim
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Denye Mickens
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Jessica Morales
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Daniel Nazarit
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Nidhi Patel
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Yasmine Signey
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Stephanie Tavares
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Janeth Preciado Vargas
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Juan C. Venancio
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Katrina Weti
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Christopher D. Wilson, Jr.
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Tiffany Xie
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2020-2021 LEDA Policy Corps Policy Recommendations
Each year, as a part of their policy training, the Policy Corps is asked to identify a set of key issues and/or policy recommendations that they think leaders in higher education policy and practice should address. Since the goal of the LEDA Policy Project is to amplify student perspectives, these recommendations are driven by the students. The following policy recommendations were identified by the 2020-2021 LEDA Policy Corps:
- Strengthen the pathway to college
- Prioritize financial sustainability for FGLI college students
- Prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion in higher education
- Promote student safety, health and emotional wellbeing
- Incentivize and promote data transparency
Additionally, the Policy Corps has a set of specific solutions for each recommendation. These are based on their experience, education, and research. You can read the full set of solutions here.
Selected Press and Media (2019-2020)
- Maria and Will: Students Discuss Inclusion and Diversity in Higher Ed, NACAC
- Heidy, Jessica, Will, and Eric Waldo (Executive Director of Reach Higher): Student Reflections: Belonging in Higher Ed – A SXSW EDU Panel, SXSW EDU
- Heidy: Why Community And Belonging Are Important For U-FLi Students, Forbes
- Jessica: Money Matters: My Journey Through Princeton, Forbes
- Will: How I’m Working To Make My University A More Inclusive And Welcoming Community, Forbes
- Amber M. Briggs (staff): Listening To Today’s Students, Forbes
- Jorden: Equity for Low-income Black Students, Higher Learning Advocates
- Martin and Mysia: CCA 2019 Annual Convening Recap – #CompletionNation19, Complete College America
- Mysia: Student Voice: Today’s Students Rethinking Financial Aid, Higher Learning Advocates
- Joscelyn: Getting To and Through College, The Education Trust
- Luis: How do you manage college online – quarantined with eight people?, Hechinger Report/Washington Post
- Mysia: Insights & Outlooks, Higher Learning Advocates
- Martin: Insights & Outlooks, Higher Learning Advocates
- Getzamany: Insights & Outlooks, Higher Learning Advocates
- Abel, Carolina, Amber M. Briggs (staff), and Nada Abdelaziz (staff): A conversation with students on overcoming hidden barriers to college success, NPEA
- Supporting DACA Students in Higher Ed: A Q&A with Students, Today’s Students Coalition on Medium (adapted from College Board’s Prepárate Conference)
- Willian: The Power Higher Ed Institutions Can Have in Supporting Undocumented Students, NCAN
- Maria: A Recent Graduate’s Perspective: How Higher Ed Institutions Can Better Support First-Gen Students, NCAN
Selected Press and Media (2018-2019)
- Moises: Student Voice: A First-Generation Advocate for Equity in Education, Higher Learning Advocates
- Diego: More Than Access, Higher Learning Advocates
- Aya: Student Voice: Universities overlook graduate students’ mental health, Hechinger Report
- Charlie: Student Voices: Hearing and Supporting Native/Indigenous Students, The Education Trust
Please direct questions about the program to Amber Briggs, Project Director, at amberbriggs@ledascholars.org.