Ag LEAP

Ag LEAP (Learning Edge Academic Program) is a summer program for incoming first-year College of Agricultural Sciences students accepted to the University Park campus.

Ag LEAP runs during the second summer session, providing an opportunity for students to start their Penn State career in a small-college atmosphere set within the larger University. The program pairs academic coursework with out-of-class experiences and peer-mentoring to help students successfully transition to college.

Prides

Each student selects an academic "pride," which consists of two 3- or 4-credit courses with the same students in both classes. Prides are announced in the spring. See the Penn State LEAP website for more details and to register.

Summer 2025 Ag Prides

Animal Health and Biomedical Sciences

This pride introduces you to current concepts in the maintenance of animal health and the application of scientific information to health-related decision making. You will have the opportunity to apply biomedical sciences to disease prevention programs in companion animals, food animals, and horses. The course will emphasize the biology of infectious diseases, immune response, and toxicology. You will also have opportunities to investigate the wide variety of careers in animal health and the biomedical sciences. This course is intended for students interested in veterinary medicine and animal health and is limited to students in Pre-major Agriculture.

  • VB SC 050S: Mechanisms of Disease (3 credits) Note: Meets first-year seminar requirements. CAS 100A: Effective Speech (GWS, 3 credits)
  • Class Times: Monday through Friday, 11:00 - 11:50 a.m.

Introduction to International Agriculture

This pride introduces you to agriculture in developing countries and frames this focus with a discussion of contemporary crucial issues facing agriculture on a global scale, emphasizing global hunger and food security. The primary goal of the course is to inform students about international agriculture, challenging them to think critically and independently about agricultural issues and development, to generate global citizens who are more aware and conversant on important contemporary challenges in the global food, agriculture, and natural resource systems.

  • INTAG 100N: Intro to International Ag (Interdomain, GS, IL,3 credits) CAS 100A: Effective Speech (GWS, 3 credits)
  • Class Times: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, 9:35 a.m. - 12:25 p.m.

Personal Financial Decision Making

In this pride you can learn how to take control of your financial future. Designed for beginners, this course covers budgeting, saving, debt management, investing, and retirement planning. Learn to apply principles of personal finance to navigate decisions such as whether to rent or buy a home, career choices, and college finances. Whether you're looking to learn about investing, manage student debt, or simply make smarter money decisions, this course will equip you with the knowledge and tools to succeed. Empower yourself with practical skills to make confident, informed financial decisions.

  • AGBM 297: Personal Financial Decision Making (GS, 3 credits) CAS 100A: Effective Speech (GWS, 3 credits)
  • Class Times: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, 9:35 a.m. - 12:25 p.m.

Student Life and Experiences

As part of a living-and-learning community, all LEAP students live in the same group of residence halls and participate in activities that help them acclimate to University life. To help build this community, the College of Agricultural Sciences enhances the experience with additional opportunities to explore the college, campus and agriculture.

Tours may include both University facilities and industries in the area. Students will have an opportunity to gain a better understanding of the science behind the food, fiber and natural resources, in local, state, national and global contexts. Specific information regarding each tour will be given at orientation. Each pride may also have its own additional set of tours.

Learn more!

Visit the Penn State LEAP website for complete details, including how to register.

Contact Us

Jenneth R. Layaou
  • Director of Campus Enrollment and Retention