Mannie L. Jackson Illinois Academic Enrichment and Leadership Program

Fighting Illini legend Mannie Jackson and family have donated $2 million to create the Mannie L. Jackson Illinois Academic Enrichment and Leadership Program (I-LEAP) in the College of Applied Health Sciences on the Urbana-Champaign campus.

Participants

Participation in The Mannie L. Jackson Illinois Academic Enrichment and Leadership Program (I-LEAP) is voluntary and of no cost to program participants. I-LEAP is available to undergraduates enrolled in the College of Applied Health Sciences at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign who are first-generation students, students from underrepresented groups, student atheletes, and those from the President Awards Program (PAP), Educational Opportunities Program (EOP), and Illinois Promise.

Support Services

The I-LEAP program provides a variety of services and initiatives designed to help students develop their full potential and as a result become more successful students in their coursework, connect to the university community, and develop leadership skills. Students receive support in areas of academic skill development, university integration, and leadership development.

Each student within I-LEAP is counseled by an Academic Skills Specialist. This individual assists students with identifying academic, personal and career goals; connecting students with college and campus resources; and promoting academic, personal, and professional skill development. In addition, the Academic Skills Specialist works with each program participant to complete a student success plan that will evolve as the student matriculates through their academic career.

Mission

The Mannie L. Jackson Illinois Academic Enrichment and Leadership Program (I-LEAP) is committed to providing a support and information base that validates the student experience and fosters a sense of belonging, engagement, and empowerment. Through bi-weekly one-on-one counseling, mentorship, tutoring, workshops, academic skills development, leadership training, and referrals to campus and community resources, we endeavor to maximize student success at the University of Illinois and within the campus community.

Program Highlights

First- year students will enroll in a specially designed course to prepare them for their remaining academic experience at Illinois.

AHS 199: Mentoring and Leadership Course

AHS 199 is an interactive experiential course that explores goal setting, communication skills, change and time management, team building, civic responsibility, and transformative learning. The course encourages self-exploration and personal development as a central component in leadership. The comprehensive curriculum will address practical aspects of leadership, which can be utilized in multiple environments and work settings. Additionally, all first-year students will receive a peer mentor that is a current I-LEAP scholar.

PDF Download

• Fall 2008 Mentor Syllabus
• Fall 2008 Mentee Syllabus

MINDSET© Workshops

Students can attend a seven-part series to help them identify obstacles that might impede their academic progress. Skills discussed in the series include motivation, initiative, navigation, direction, study skills, expectation, and time management. Based on self assessments, students compose individual contracts to achieve academic success. Series sessions can be one-on-one or within a group.

Workshop PDF

• Fall 2008 MINDSET workshops

AHS/DIA Tutoring

The College of AHS, in partnership with the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics (DIA) has recruited AHS high-achieving students to tutor undergraduates within departmental courses. "Drop-In" hours are available: 7:00PM–10:00PM, every Monday, Wednesday, and Sunday in room 114 Huff Hall.

Chi Alpha Epsilon Honor Society

Chi Alpha Epsilon (XAE) is a national honor society which recognizes the academic achievements of I-LEAP scholars. The mission of XAE is to promote continued high academic standards, foster increased communication among its members, and honor academic excellence. Members pledge to continue to excel academically, promote academic excellence in others, and to help those who genuinely aspire to the same goals. To be eligible to join XAE, a student must have a cumulative average of a 3.0 for two consecutive semesters.

I-LEAP Society

The I-LEAP Society is a registered student organization for all students that are a part of the the Mannie L. Jackson Illinois Academic Enrichment and Leadership Program. The purpose of the organization will be to enhance students in the areas of leadership, civic responsibility, and campus consciousness.

Class ILLINI

Students learn skills for independent living on the University of Illinois campus by attending Class ILLINI seminars. With assistance from an Academic Skills Specialist, students will select seminars according to personal interests. Some topics are:

List of Topics

• Dealing with roommate conflicts
• Creating a college budget
• Diversifying college activities
• Minors vs. double majors
• To be or not to be "pre-"

Outreach

Students are invited to various college and cross-campus events including the alumni speaker series, social events, and presentations in the areas of career and professional development and graduate schools.

Civic Engagement and Community Partnerships

Educational attainment is a powerful predictor of civic engagement. Educational experience that allows students to participate in an organized service activity meets identified community needs and allows students to gain an enhanced sense of civic responsibility. The Mannie L. Jackson Illinois Academic Enrichment and Leadership Program have partnerships upon the Illinois campus and within the Champaign Urbana Community. The partnerships are:

Community Partnerships

• Women in Transition
• The TIMES Center

  Workshop PDF

  • I-LEAP sponsored Fall 2008 Job Search Workshops
• The Illinois 4-H Illini Summer Academies

  Summer Activities

  • Illini Summer Academy
  • 4H Illini Summer Academy Photobook 2008
• Office of Minority Student Affairs- Project Upward Bound

  Upward Bound Program

  • 2008 Upward Bound Summer Internship Program

Mannie L. Jackson

• Bio (PDF)
• History (5MB PDF)
• Press Release
• Convocation Announcement

"With the help from the Mannie L. Jackson Illinois Academic Enrichment Leadership Program and the academic skill specialists, students do not feel like the little fish in the big ocean anymore, but rather a big fish making their way to the top."
--Christa Jalali, sophomore, Speech and Hearing Science

"My meetings with my academic skills specialist helped me acclimate to my new environment in college. She was someone I was comfortable talking to if I had questions or concerns regarding my classes or anything here at Illinois."
--Melissa Pedraza, sophomore, Kinesiology

"Through the help of my academic coach and now with renewed confidence in myself, I am a believer. I am grateful for the Mannie L. Jackson Illinois Academic Enrichment and Leadership Program; it is program that really does change a student's mindset and outlook."
--Vernon Cail, junior, Kinesiology

Questions?
Email Sheri Shaw (217-333-4964), Director
Email Kirkshinta Turnipseed (217-333-0861), Academic Skill Specialist

The Mannie L. Jackson Illinois Academic Enrichment and Leadership Program offers assistance, information and referrals on: Tutoring, Study Abroad, Study Groups, Research, Careers, Volunteering, Student Organizations, Majors, Minors, Scholarships, Resumes, Internships.