Victor Saad took a giant leap during the last leap year. In 2012, the Chicago native left a job he loved and created an experiential master’s program rooted in design, business, and social change. After interviewing several friends and family, he created a hands-on education that placed him in 12 experiences within 12 months. The impact resonated with others, too. Saad’s project begat a Leap Year community that challenged people to take bold steps; all of which culminated in a book and TEDx talk.

As an apprentice at these dozen diverse companies, he traveled the world, gaining invaluable experience in how he could positively impact people’s lives. Saad’s latest extension is Experience Institute, a new look at Higher Education that balances real-world practice and classroom theory.