The Pima Leadership Institute and Arizona Blue Chip Program/National Collegiate Leadership Conference Collaboration

Overview of the Partnership

Pima Community College’s “Pima Leadership Institute” and the University of Arizona’s “Arizona Blue Chip Program” and “National Collegiate Leadership Conference” have come together to create a seamless transition for Pima Community College students to the University of Arizona through a comprehensive leadership development experience. .

The Pima Leadership Institute is modeled from the curriculum and structure of the Arizona Blue Chip Program tailored to the community college setting. The Pima Leadership Institute provides opportunities for enhancement in the areas of diversity, service, integrity and excellence and allows students in general interest, direct-work and transfer programs to gain a leadership experience that meets their individual needs.

Overview of the Pima Leadership Institute

Pima Leadership Institute offers 3 levels of leadership certificates for Pima Community College students.

Level 1: Foundations of Leadership

Students can complete requirements for Level 1 in one semester either through attending workshops, retreats, a combination of the two, or through Student Success classes at the College. Level 1 is coordinated and facilitated entirely through Pima Community College and is free, with the exception of Student Success classes. Topic areas of Level 1 include:

  • Time Management
  • Wellness/Stress Management
  • Learning Styles
  • Mission/Vision
  • Communication
  • Leadership Styles (Student Leadership Practices Inventory)
  • Building a Leadership Portfolio
  • Creating Change
  • Networking

In addition, students must complete a leadership portfolio and present it to a staff member or present it at the end of the semester banquet.

Level 2: Leadership Skills

Students complete requirements for Level 2 upon full completion of Level 1. This certificate can be completed in one semester through participating in STU 240B, a 1 credit leadership course which includes an overnight backpacking retreat. Level 2 is coordinated and facilitated entirely through Pima Community College and the cost for students is in the amount of 1 credit of tuition. Topic areas of Level 2 include:

  • Multiculturalism
  • Motivating Others
  • Facilitation Skills
  • Presentation Skills
  • Conflict Management
  • Ethics
  • Social Change

Level 3: Individual Leadership

Students complete requirements for Level 3 upon full completion of Level 2. Level 3 is coordinated and facilitated through the University of Arizona and/or Pima Community College and the cost for students is in the amount of 2-3 credits of tuition depending on which option they choose. Students who are enrolled at Pima Community College during Level 3 can complete the certificate in one year through one of the following 3 options. Students who are enrolled at the University of Arizona during Level 3 can complete the certificate in one year by completing options 1 or 2.

Option 1: Arizona Blue Chip Program (University of Arizona)
Level 1 and Level 2 of Pima Leadership Institute is equivalent to Phase I of the Arizona Blue Chip Program. Students participating in Option 1 take part in Phase II of the Arizona Blue Chip Program at the University of Arizona.

Requirements of this option include:

  • Registering for SOC 289 (a thematic leadership class through Pima Community College)/HED 297a (a thematic leadership class through the University of Arizona) and attend class at the University of Arizona with other Blue Chip students.
  • Participating in all other requirements of Phase II of Blue Chip at the University of Arizona.

If students complete Option 1 while enrolled at Pima Community College, upon completion of Option 1 (Phase II of the Arizona Blue Chip Program), students begin in Phase III of Blue Chip upon academic transfer to the University of Arizona.

Option 2: National Collegiate Leadership Conference (University of Arizona)
Students participating in Option 2 take part in the Planning Committee for the National Collegiate Leadership Conference at the University of Arizona.

Requirements of this option include:

  • Registering for SOC 289 (an event planning class through Pima Community College)/EDL 281 (an event planning class through the University of Arizona) and attend class at the University of Arizona with other students on the Planning Committee.
  • Serving on the Planning Committee (attend meetings, do office hours, etc.).
  • Completing 15 hours of community service.

Option 3: Peer Facilitator (Pima Community College)
Students participating in Option 3 hold the position of Peer Facilitator at Pima Community College. Register for STU 230, an in-depth leadership course through Pima Community College, and attend class at Pima Community College.

Requirements of this option include:

  • Mentoring Level 1 Pima Leadership Institute students (help facilitate workshops, retreats, and events, assist in marketing, database management, and advising).
  • Completing 15 hours of community service.

How the Partnership Works

There are two distinct features of the partnership. The first is that Blue Chip students help coordinate portions of the Pima Leadership Institute through mentoring, facilitation, and administration of the program. Second, the partnership provides opportunities for Pima Community College students to participate in University of Arizona leadership programs with an option to transfer into the Arizona Blue Chip Program in Phase II or Phase III upon academic transfer to the University of Arizona.

Benefits of the Partnership

First, Arizona Blue Chip students help facilitate portions of the Pima Leadership Institute both to give them experience in working with different college campuses as well as to expose Pima Community College students to university students as mentors. Second, there are opportunities for Pima Community College students to participate in University of Arizona leadership programs (Level 3 Options 1 and 2) to interact with University of Arizona students and create a smooth transition for transfer to the University of Arizona. In turn, University of Arizona students can learn from the experiences of Pima Community College students.

Contact Information

For more information about the Pima Leadership Institute, call the Student Life Office at Pima Community College Desert Vista Campus at 520-206-5026.