Leadership program designed to help freshmen 'survive their first year'

Eric M. Jukelevics Arizona Daily Wildcat Leadership Coordinator Terry Thompson speaks about the Arizona Blue Chip Program. The pilot program develops leadership skills for UA students and will start in the fall next year.

"Leadership is always under construction," Blue Chip Leadership Coordinator Terry Thompson said. "We can give you the opportunity and you let it happen."

About 200 incoming freshmen will be recruited for the Arizona Blue Chip Program in the fall semester of 1999, but it is open to all students.

"Leaders come from all walks of life," Thompson said. "Our intent is to help every student."

Throughout students' college careers, participants will develop leadership skills in classes, workshops and a leadership camp, he said. As upperclassmen, students will teach conferences and workshops to younger members.

"They will get a much more intensive direction on how to survive the first year," Thompson said.

Freshmen will be recruited from Tucson high schools and during orientation sessions this summer, Thompson said. He said other University of Arizona students can apply in August.

Thompson is working with UA departments to make Blue Chip a "university collaboration."

"This (leadership) is an area people traditionally say is too hard to do - I don't believe that," he said. "You see it (the benefit) in all the students helped."

Thompson said he thinks the UA needs a place for students to formally develop skills in a structured setting.

"Education is part of what we do here," Thompson said, adding that the personal-leadership program can be an important aspect of the university experience.

The free program is not supported by any corporations because "we want it to be our (UA) program," Thompson said. Funding is not yet secure for the program, which began last month.

Students will be encouraged to work an internship during Blue Chip, using skills they learn at the UA to benefit the community, said Ann Wolnick, program director for Student Programs.

"I think the idea of a way for UA students to give back to the state of Arizona is pretty neat," she said.

For students entering the program as upperclassmen, officials will assess applicants' past leadership experiences, Thompson said.

When students finish, they will receive a transcript that outlines their leadership activities, he said.

The program will give students a sense of connection to the university, Dean of Students Melissa Vito said.

"To me, it is important that students stay here and the quality of their experience is important," Vito said.

Some UA students said they think the opportunity would be beneficial.

"I think it will really help freshmen get established and teach them how to manage their time," said Tracy Sedlock, a music education sophomore. "It might help them develop better habits."

Medical technology sophomore Michelle Mergner said leadership skills are important for students to learn.

"In your career you are going to need good communication and leadership skills," she said.

Rachael Myer can be reached via e-mail at Rachael.Myer@wildcat.arizona.edu.