Steven Phillips

January Alumni Spotlight

LEAP Academy Class of 2010

The time that I spent at LEAP Academy molded me into a much more competitive student leader, both inside and outside of the classroom. I began at LEAP Academy as an eighth grade student, after attending Camden city public schools. It was a dramatic transformation from what I was used to, and I was introduced to a “college going culture” that instilled in me a sense that anything was possible through education. During my senior year, I took dual-enrollment coursework at Rutgers University, and I also set the record for college and university acceptances for a LEAP senior, amassing over fifty admissions offers and over two-million in merit-based scholarships. I wanted to break the mold and reverse the stereotypes that say Camden city students simply are not cut out for college. After considering countless options, I made the decision to continue my education at Rutgers University-New Brunswick as a Communications major with a focus in Public Relations. LEAP Academy taught me the importance of being able to communicate and advocate for the issues that are important to me, and as a result I was able to achieve success in college. I was selected for a prestigious internship position at both JP Morgan Chase and for the Blue Flame agency working under renowned music industry mogul P. Diddy. Being exposed to the world of business, commerce, and executive communication opened my eyes to the power of written and oral communication, and it made me realize how important my experiences were as a LEAP Academy student. After graduating from Rutgers-New Brunswick, I obtained a position as a Basketball Operations and Logistics Associate with the Philadelphia 76ers organization. Working as a young professional in the newly built Philadelphia 76ers practice facility on the Camden Waterfront has brought me full circle, and I am proud to still be connected to the Camden community. LEAP laid the foundation for my success, and I look forward to encouraging other LEAP alumni to pursue their dreams!