Gabriel Molina

February Alumni Spotlight

LEAP Academy Class of 2010

Gabriel Molina is a 2010 LEAP Academy University Charter High School Alumnus who began his education career as a kindergarten student when LEAP opened its doors in 1996. Being a part of the founding class and successfully making it through the LEAP Educational Pipeline has had a lasting impact on his life. Ending his time at LEAP as a highly involved student and class valedictorian, Gabriel transitioned to Villanova University where in 2014 he completed an undergraduate degree in Art History and Spanish Language and Literature. Always taking advantage of the opportunities presented to him, Gabriel simultaneously completed his graduate coursework in Hispanic Studies through a dual BA/MA program at Villanova.

Currently, Gabriel works for the Rutgers University-Camden Community Leadership Center as a Site Manager for Jumpstart, a supplemental early childhood education program facilitated by Rutgers students. This is a natural fit for Gabriel who actively looks to make an impact in underserved areas, which in the past has included translating for the Limited English Proficient communities of Kennett Square, diversity research at the Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, and grant writing for a nonprofit social service center in Camden. The bulk of his work experience has been in the educational sector as a Spanish Teacher at his alma mater, LEAP Academy.

When not looking for ways to give back to the Camden community, Gabriel is an up-and-coming fine artist. His watercolor and acrylic paintings are becoming sought out pieces by his growing social media following resulting in him being commissioned to produce pieces for a variety of patrons, as well as donating them as auction items for the fundraising of charitable causes. His most recent project was the creation of a logo for the Philadelphia-based Mazzoni Center Gala: Metamorphosis. Raw Artist Pop-up Gallery-Philadelphia, the City of Camden’s Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration, and the Broward Art Guild of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida have been the most recent venues in which Gabriel has been asked to showcase his work.This is a passion that was encouraged at a young age by LEAP Academy’s own fine arts faculty. His earlier works were always popular auction items at the annual Rutgers Alfredo Santiago Endowed Scholarship Gala, an academic scholarship that Gabriel’s scholastic achievements made him a recipient of. Today you can find many of Gabriel’s earlier artwork in the offices of the Early Learning Research Academy and LEAP Academy Buildings.

Instagram: Gabe_Paints
Facebook: Gabe Paints
Email: gabemolina.paints@gmail.com