Blue Hen Leadership Program

Learn. Serve. Lead.

Explore your potential and gain certification in multiple tiers of leadership through our nationally recognized Blue Hen Leadership Program, which provides diverse development opportunities for hundreds of students from all areas of campus each year.

Trabant, Lower Level, 157A

(302) 831-7622

BHLP staff recognized as winners of both the Distinguished Educator Workshop and the Outstanding Educator Workshop Awards for 2021

BHLP has been recognized by the Association of Leadership Educators as the 2021 Outstanding Leadership Program

Program Model

The Blue Hen Leadership Program is centered on The Social Change Model of Leadership (Higher Education Research Institute, 1996 Tier) and builds on its tiered curriculum to correspond to the Self, Group, and Community lenses of that model. Tenants from the Social Action, Leadership and Transformation (SALT) Model (Muesus, 2017) inform our curriculum in all 4 tiers. The Leadership Challenge (Kouzes and Posner) and its five principles: Model the Way, Inspire a Shared Vision, Challenge the Process, Enable Others to Act, and Encourage the Heart, provide the foundation for the Emerging Leader tier of the program. All leadership theories and models taught in the program rely heavily on self-awareness, values, the importance of relationships, and communication in ultimately affecting positive change. In addition, the focus of program content is guided by 6 competency areas:

1. Personal Leadership

Students will gain insight into their personal traits, values, fears, perspectives and goals in order to develop a greater sense of self, purpose, balance and effectiveness.

2. Organizational Leadership

Students will develop methods to effectively lead diverse teams, to set and achieve shared goals, and to contribute to the success of healthy organizations in a variety of roles.

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3. Communication

Students will develop skills to think critically, and then to effectively and courageously communicate in a variety of areas. These areas may include decision making, seeing things from multiple and diverse perspectives, sharing ideas, listening to the ideas of others, and problem solving. They will also learn to articulate their own leadership style and apply it to personal experiences and potential areas of employment.

4. Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Students will understand that in our global society, leadership embraces many traditions, cultures, identities, lifestyles, and approaches. Students will explain the importance of openness, inclusiveness, sensitivity, the ability to interact respectfully with all people; understand individual differences, and the unique contributions they bring in building inclusive communities.

5. Community Engagement

Students will learn that those who lead meaningful lives contribute to their communities by affecting positive change. Engagement speaks to going a step beyond volunteerism towards embracing social responsibility.

6. Management Skills

Students will understand the difference between management and leadership and will demonstrate a variety of management skills to help them effectively contribute to their organizations, teams, or group projects.

Program Summary

Since 2010, BHLP has:

emerging Blue Hen leaders through the QUEST program

workshops presented on leadership topics

sponsored annual campus wide leadership conferences

students certified in at least one tier of the program

students participated in 20 alternative break service experiences

Why do students value BHLP?
Reflection on Change Podcast
Student and Alumni Stories

Program Goals

Students who participate in the BHLP will:

  • Enhance their résumés with theoretical knowledge, practical skills, and experiential leadership 
  • Understand that everyone has the potential to lead 
  • Understand that leadership development is an ongoing process 
  • Articulate a personal, demonstrated leadership style and application 
  • Appreciate and understand a diverse array of perspectives, cultures and style preferences 
  • Understand that true leadership involves affecting positive change 
  • Learn skills that enhance their ability to build relationships and to manage an organization or team 
  • Improve their communication skills, critical thinking skills, problem analysis, and management skills 
  • Lead a team through the successful design, planning, completion and assessment of a project 
  • Engage in purposeful community service and reflection 
  • Have the opportunity to earn a Certificate of Excellence in Leadership in four levels