Big Campus. Small Team. Real Impact.
Find your people from day one. Blue Chip brings Wildcats together in small teams to build friendships, confidence, leadership skills, and experience that help you make the most of college and what comes next.
Open to all majors. No previous leadership experience required.
Make the University of Arizona feel like home
Start with a team that knows your name.
In your first semester, you'll join a team of 15–20 students and connect with a junior or senior peer mentor. You'll have people to learn with, get involved with, and turn to as you navigate your first year at Arizona.
Why "Blue Chip"?
In the financial world, a "blue-chip" asset represents the highest standard of quality, reliability, and value. At Arizona, we believe the most important investment is in yourself. Joining Blue Chip means putting a premium on your skillset, your community, and your career from day one.
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 Alumna
I’m surrounded by people who push me to be better. It helped me to grow not just as a student, but as a future physician and community leader.
Chiji, Blue Chip Senior
Blue Chip provided me with an environment that not only let me feel like a leader, but I was able to develop and put those intangible skills to use in a productive and profound way.
Noah, Blue Chip Senior
Your First-Year Roadmap
01 / Join Your TeamStart with a small team of 15–20 first-year Wildcats who you'll learn, laugh, and grow alongside throughout the year. | 03 / Learn by DoingBuild confidence, communication, teamwork, and leadership through hands-on challenges, service, events, and shared experiences. | ||
02 / Peer MentorConnect each week with an experienced junior or senior who helps guide your team and navigate life at Arizona. | 04 / Earn CreditBlue Chip combines leadership experiences with academic coursework so what you're learning counts toward your University experience. |
What You'll Do | Skills You'll Build | How You'll Use It |
|---|---|---|
Active Group Challenges | Strategic Collaboration & Problem-Solving | Build examples you can use to demonstrate teamwork, problem-solving, and leadership in internship and job interviews.. |
Peer Facilitation & Mentoring | Communication, Emotional Intelligence & Leadership | Practice leading, communicating, giving feedback, and working effectively with different people. |
Continue Your Blue Chip Journey | Advanced Leadership & Career Integration | Participate for one to four years. Students who complete the full pathway can earn the Leadership Studies & Practice minor. |
Time Commitment
About 2–3 hours per week during Year 1, including your Blue Chip course and team experiences. Designed to complement your academic schedule.
Program Fee
Blue Chip has a $250 annual program fee that supports program experiences, events, retreats, and other opportunities throughout the year.
Fee Waivers Available
We don't want cost to keep you from participating. Financial support is available for students who need help with the program fee.
Ready to find your team?
Join the Fall 2027 Blue Chip cohort and start your Arizona experience with a community already around you.
2025 & 2026 Excelencia in Education Awardee
2025 Evidence Based Practice Awardee