Join Blue Chip Leadership Experience to find find community, distinguish yourself, and build career skills. Our students build lifelong friendships and hone their leadership skills on campus, in the classroom, and in the community. Blue Chip graduates are pushing boundaries, solving problems, and excelling as leaders.
Preferred deadline December 10, 2023
Why join Blue Chip Leadership Experience?
- Build your community and meet other Wildcats.
- Learn through real-world experiences, service, and internships.
- Build in-demand skills like leadership, teamwork, communication, and problem-solving.
- Prepare as a professional to perfect your resume, interview skills, and elevator pitch.
“The experiences I had and the friendships I gained are some of the most valuable pieces of my college experience.”
Norbert Rwamunkunyu, Class of 2019
“Blue Chip has been the foundation of my college experience, and it has given me a tight-knit, supportive community throughout my educational journey.”
Penelope Mangaoang, Class of 2024
Blue Chip First-Year Experience
In Year 1, students focus on teamwork and collaboration, learning effective communication, conflict resolution, and teambuilding through hands-on experiences and workshops. Students strengthen their ability to lead high-performing teams through real-world scenarios and group projects
Fall
Class: EDL 297A: Your intro to leadership and career development course. Meets for 50 minutes per week.
3 Fall Signature Events!
Spring
Class: EDL 293A: Leadership & Involvement: Work with your team and a local organization to plan and implement a service project. Meets for 50 minutes per week.
2 Spring Signature events!
Preferred deadline December 10th, 2024
To build community, we place each first-year student on a team of 15-20 other first-year students. During weekly meetings, students will engage in team-building activities, thoughtful discussions, and career development exercises.
Here are some of our first-year events:
Opening Event – meet your team for the first time and have some fun!
Escape Rooms – work together to solve the mystery and learn about team-building in the process.
Days of Service – serve the Tucson community and bond with your team.
Blue Sync – be creative and make a music video with your team.
Field Day – practice teamwork and communication on this day of outdoor games and problem-solving.
Sophomores & Transfers
Sophomore and transfer students engage in a dynamic curriculum centered on problem-solving and communication. They develop critical thinking and persuasive communication skills through practical experiences. Students who enter as sophomores, juniors, or transfers will have a unique and meaningful experience and a customized path to completion.
Fall Class Options
Choose one:
A) EDL 396B: Design Thinking
B) EDL 371: Leadership for Social Change
C) EDL 396A: The Leadership Challenge (fully online)
1 Fall Signature Event!
Spring Class Options
Choose one:
A) EDL 396B: Peer Education & Leadership
B) EDL 396A: The Leadership Challenge (fully online)
C) EDL 396A: Leadership for Social Change (fully online)
1 Spring Signature event!
Preferred deadline December 10th, 2024
YEAR 2 – LEARN
You will learn advanced leadership concepts and apply them by working with local non-profits and corporate partners to solve real-world challenges.
Fall Semester
Design Thinking for Social Change – Learn how to create social change using the design thinking process. This is an interactive course that features participation and engagement from the students to maximize the learning experience. (3 credits)
Spring Semester
Peer Education & Leadership – Plan and practice leadership through peer mentorship theory. Practice facilitation strategies to become an effective mentor and leader. (3 credits)
YEAR 3 – PRACTICE
Apply the leadership skills and knowledge you have developed while creating positive change. Become a peer mentor or a preceptor for our program. This may be the most impactful experience you have during your time on campus. This is a rare opportunity for formal leadership, and it will grow your leadership skills greatly by allowing you to support and manage a group of 15-20 first-year students.
Equiss – Attend our social justice retreat to explore concepts surrounding equity, identity, inclusive leadership, allyship, and liberation. Create a personal plan for acting on social change as an inclusive leader.
Professional Development Sprint – Participate in activities/workshops that focus on networking, building a competitive resume, and interview skills to make sure you’re prepared for what comes next.
YEAR 4 – LEAD
You will apply the skills and knowledge you learned in Blue Chip to a program-wide scale. Year 4 is designed to allow you to leave your legacy with Blue Chip. You will also develop the personal and professional skills needed for a smooth transition from college into your career.
Senior Capstone – Meet weekly in this seminar-style class to refine Blue Chip student experience, dig into professional and personal development, and plan your Year 4 Retreat. (2 credits fall & 2 credits spring)
Year 4 Retreat – spend a weekend with your closest Blue Chip friends with fun activities, personal development, and relaxation.
Earn a Leadership Minor
Blue Chip Leadership Experience students earn a minor in Leadership Studies & Practice. In their courses, our students gain skills to address complex organizational and societal challenges as effective, engaged, and ethical leaders. Compatible with any major, the Leadership Studies & Practice minor is 18 credits and teaches our students how to effectively lead a team in any career. Learn more here!
What does the Blue Chip Leadership Experience program fee include?
Students who join Blue Chip in the Spring will be charged $200. Fees are charged to your university account at the Bursar’s Office and can be paid in the same manner that you pay tuition or other fees. The fees support costs associated with courses, events, and an annual Blue Chip apparel item, depending on your progress in the program.
Students in Blue Chip progress through a number of opportunities such as peer mentorship, unique access to career events, and micro-internships. This programming supports career skills that the University of Arizona’s most desired employers and graduate programs are searching for like teamwork, communication, critical thinking, leadership, professionalism, and a number of other skills that will distinguish you from the crowd.
Fee Waivers:
Blue Chip students who demonstrate financial need can apply for a fee waiver by completing the Fee Waiver Application. The fee waiver program is available to students who need assistance paying for between 25% and 100% of the First-Year Experience fee. The Fee Waiver form will open on October 1st and Closte on December 11th. Only students who have enrolled in Blue Chip by December 11th will be eligible to apply for the fee waiver.
Please do not let cost keep you from participating in Blue Chip! Contact us for more information bluechip@arizona.edu
“BlueChip revolutionized my thinking process. It allowed me to see myself and others in a new light.”
Ariel Garcia-Duarte, Class of 2024
“The connections you make are truly rewarding. The people I’ve met through the program have become great friends, people who support and celebrate my goals and achievements.”
Joselyn Falcon, Class of 2024
