About Us

Porter-Billups Leadership Academy

 

In 1996, Regis University Men’s Head Basketball Coach Lonnie Porter established the Lonnie Porter Leadership Academy to provide academic and leadership training to at-risk inner city students from Denver.

 

In 2006, NBA star Chauncey Billups joined forces with Porter in this effort and the program was renamed the Porter-Billups Leadership Academy at Regis University. 

​

Both men grew up in inner city neighborhoods. They credit their success to the people who challenged them at a young age to work hard and get an education. The Academy is a way for both men to do for low-income youth what others did for them.

​

As the University's flagship college prep program, scholarships up to full tuition to Regis are available to PBLA graduates once they successfully complete the multi-year participation requirement and qualify for admittance. PBLA believes in educating the whole child and provides instruction in leadership, the arts and outdoor education in addition to financial literacy, communication and computer skills training. The location has proven to be important over the years, providing students with ongoing exposure to a college campus each summer so they are comfortable once they are ready to attend themselves.

​

​

Our Students

• PBLA serves 225 students grades 4-12 each summer at Regis University 

• Since its inception in 1996, 249 students have graduated from Porter-Billups Leadership Academy after having attended the Academy for at least 7 years.

• 99.5% on time high school graduation rate

• 88% of students have attended or are currently attending college 

• 82 students have attended Regis University with 42 graduates to date

• 45% of the college bound students who are eligible have graduated