Our Governors

Meet Our Board of Trustees

The LEAP Academy Board of Trustees holds the responsibility for governance, policymaking and oversight of all operational areas of the school, including curriculum, personnel and finance. Its work focuses on accountability, academic improvement, efficiency, and resource development.

Gloria Bonilla-Santiago, Ph.D.

Rutgers Board of Governors Distinguished Service Professor

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Donna Nickitas, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, CNE, FNAP, FAAN

Interim Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Professor Nursing at Rutgers University - Camden

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Mathew Closter, Ph.D.

Public Member

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Dr. Michael Palis

Vice Chair & Rutgers Representative

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Anthony M. Lowman, Ph.D.

Public Member

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Margaret Manthe

Public Member

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Cal Maradonna

Public Member

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Bette Mengesha

Public Member

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Hector Nieves

Secretary, Parent Affairs Chair & Parent Representative

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Brenda Ortiz

Parent Representative

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Yosmeriz Roman, Ph.D/

Public Member

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Omar Samaniego

Public Member

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Margo Venable

Public Member

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Wanda Garcia, MSW

Board Liasion & Director of Rutgers/LEAP Center of Excellence

For all questions about board members, meetings, or minutes, contact Wanda Garcia. As the Associate Director of the Community Leadership Center at Rutgers University-Camden and the liasion to the LEAP Academy Board of Trustees in a non-voting/non-member capacity, Wanda is your best resource for all board information.

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Board Meetings

NOTICE OF SCHEDULED PUBLIC MEETINGS OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Pursuant to the Open Public Meetings Act, N.J.S.A. 10:4-6 et seq., the LEAP Academy University Charter School Board of Trustees hereby provides notice of its upcoming scheduled public meetings. The dates for these meetings are as follows:

  • September 18, 2025
  • October 16, 2025
  • November 13, 2025
  • December 11, 2025
  • January 22, 2026
  • February 19, 2026
  • March 26, 2026
  • April 16, 2026
  • May 14, 2026
  • June 18, 2026

All meetings will commence at 5:00 PM and will be held at the designated location or via virtual conferencing as announced. These meetings are open to the public and will be conducted in accordance with the requirements of the Open Public Meetings Act, ensuring public access and notice.

For more information, please contact Dr. Wenda Garcia, Board Liaison, at wandag@camden.rutgers.edu or 856-225-6903. Further notices regarding meeting agendas, locations, and virtual access will also appear on the school’s website:  https://www.leapacademycharter.org/.

Members of the public are encouraged to mark these dates.

Policies & Regulations

The Board of Trustees develops and adopts policy pertaining to all aspects of operations of the school. Policies area aligned with New Jersey Laws and Regulations as well as with the School’s Charter.

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Board Minutes Archive