The LEAP program was established in 1997. It is a cooperative venture of the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), Montana State University (MSU), and the A.C.E. Language Institute. During this year-long professional development program, participants, all Japanese higher education administrators, take classes to improve their English and to learn about the U.S. higher education system and international program office operations. They also participate in internships, first at MSU, then at another U.S. university.

LEAP Interns at UC Davis

2009: Mari MORISHITA, NAIST
2008: Yohko TANGE, Nagoya University
2005: Tomoko KAWAMURA, University of Fukui
2004: Yumiko FURUTAKE, Kyoto Institute of Technology
2003: Mari SHIMIZU, Kyoto University
2002: Hiroe KAJIMOTO, Hokkaido University 
2001: Nami KIDA (formerly YOKOYA), Nagoya University