Bellevue University's Gina Ponce Earns LEAP Advisor Credential
Recipients Demonstrate "Shared Commitment to Teaching, Mentoring and Coaching" Latino Entrepreneurs
Gina Ponce, Director of Latino Community Outreach at Bellevue University, recently earned the Latino Entrepreneur Access Program (LEAP) Advisor credential.
The LEAP Advisor credential is issued by the Latino Leadership Institute and recognizes individuals who “have an understanding of a shared commitment to teaching, mentoring, and coaching LEAP entrepreneurs who are primed for future success.”
The institute's LEAP program is designed to drive three major outcomes for entrepreneurs – sustained profitable revenue growth, workforce expansion and access to new capital from public and private financing sources.
The LEAP credential recipients work alongside other industry, business, and financial leaders while working directly with tomorrow’s success stories. Their expanded network and board experience serve as a springboard for larger nonprofit and for-profit boards.
Ponce heads up El Camino Latino Center, located on the main campus of Bellevue University. The Center serves students, their families and the Latino community.
According to Bellevue University President Dr. Mary Hawkins, the LEAP credential further affirms Ponce's commitment to the community. “Gina excels at connecting students and their families with rich and rewarding educational and career opportunities. We're lucky to have her expertise on our University team.”
Ponce has been in Omaha for over 30 years serving the Latino community. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Management and Human Resources and a Master of Arts in Communication from Bellevue University. She currently serves on the Kids Can and South Omaha Community Council boards. Ponce is the President of Women on a Mission for Change, a nonprofit serving women and girls in the area of leadership for more than a decade.
Founded in 1966, Bellevue University is a non-profit university with more than 60,000 graduates worldwide. The University is a recognized national leader in preparing students for lifelong success with career-relevant knowledge and skills, while making college affordable. Routinely ranked among the nation’s top military and accessible institutions, the University serves residential students at its main campus in Bellevue, Nebraska, and everywhere online with more than 80 degree programs uniquely designed for working adults. The University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org).