Join Blue Chip Leadership Experience to 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.
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 and elevate 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, Blue Chip Alumni
“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, Blue Chip Alumni
Blue Chip First-Year Experience
In Year 1, students focus on teamwork and collaboration, learning effective communication, conflict resolution, and teamwork through hands-on experiences and workshops. Students strengthen their ability to lead high-performing teams through real-world scenarios and challenges.
Each semester Blue Chip leaders get extra perks to have fun and build lasting friendships. You’ll love the Escape Room Challenge and our spring Field Day on the University of Arizona Mall.
Fall
Join our first-year leadership course along with your team of 15-20 first-year students. You’ll learn and grow together. 50 minutes per week, 1 credit.
3 Fall Signature Events!
Spring
Work with your team and support the community by working together to solve a real-world challenge for a local non-profit. Watch your personal leadership skills grow as you build strength as a team with the support of your peer mentor. 50 minutes per week, 1 credit.
3 Spring Signature events!
To build community on our campus of 56,000+ students, we place our first-year students on teams of 15-20 with other first-year students. During weekly class meetings, students are led by one of our peer mentors and 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 Room Challenge – 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.
Blue’s Clues – compete against other teams and practice teamwork and communication with this campus-wide scavenger hunt.
Improv Night – mix it up with other Year 1 students in this game night.
JA Day – Facilitate life skills workshops to local elementary and middle school students. Blue Chip supports over 2,000 k-12 students with this event and our community partner, Junior Achievement.
Sophomores & Transfers
Sophomore and transfer students engage in a curriculum centered on problem-solving and group management. They develop critical thinking and persuasive communication skills through practical experiences. Students who start during Year 2 will have a unique and meaningful experience and a customized path to completion.
Fall Class
This course provides students with a transformative approach to problem-solving. Students engage in hands-on learning, applying Design Thinking principles to address unique challenges with a focus on equity and social responsibility, culminating in presenting potential solutions to the clients.
Spring Class
Our group management course equips students with essential facilitation skills and problem-solving techniques to support diverse teams through transition. Through interactive learning, students develop strategies for developing group dynamics, promoting respect, and building strong relationships within their teams.
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)
Equiss – Our signature event and a student favorite! This equity and access focused retreat allows students to explore new perspectives while spending meaningful time together to build community.
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 equity and access retreat to explore concepts surrounding equity and leadership. Create a personal plan for acting on social change as a respectful leader.
Professional Development Series – Navigate a menu of career development opportunities that focus on networking, building a competitive resume, and interview skills to make sure you’re prepared for what comes next.
YEAR 4 – ELEVATE
Year 4 is designed to elevate your ability to inspire, persuade, and adapt. You will develop the personal and professional skills needed for a smooth transition from college into your career.
EDL 498 Senior Capstone – Meet weekly to dig into professional and personal development, craft a TEDx-style presentation, develop a comprehensive transition plan, and learn from leaders and experts on campus and in the community. (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.
Blue Chip Graduation – celebrate four years of leadership in this one-of-a-kind graduation ceremony.
Earn a Leadership Minor
Our students earn a minor in Leadership Studies & Practice. They gain skills to address complex organizational and societal challenges as effective, engaged, and ethical leaders. Compatible with any major, the Leadership Studies & Practice minor supports our students in effectively leading 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. The fee waiver program is available to students who need assistance paying for between 25% and 100% of the First-Year Experience fee.
Please do not let cost keep you from participating in Blue Chip! Contact us for more information!
“Blue Chip revolutionized my thinking process. It allowed me to see myself and others in a new light.”
Ariel, Blue Chip Alumni
“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, Blue Chip Alumni
We’d love for you to join Blue Chip!
