Leadership Programs

Students show broken wood blocks from a board-breaking exercise

Leadership Programs

Explore a range of leadership opportunities and certificate programs at the University of Delaware, designed to empower students and professionals alike. Whether you're looking to build core leadership skills, enhance your career or make a greater impact in your community, UD offers flexible programs tailored to your goals.

Blue Hen Leadership Program (BHLP)

BHLP is your chance to grow as a leader and find your people at the University of Delaware. Open to all undergraduate and graduate students, BHLP lets you design a leadership journey that fits your goals, interests and schedule.

You can dive into the full experience by completing certificates in Individual, Group, and Community/Context Leadership, a capstone certificate and 30 hours of community service, or you can jump into a single certificate to build specific skills right away. Along the way, you’ll gain practical leadership tools, explore who you are as a leader and learn how to make an impact on teams and in communities.

BHLP is a community—students form meaningful friendships, strong support networks and connections that last well beyond graduation. You’ll join a diverse community of Blue Hens who are driven by growth, purpose and impact. Students from different backgrounds, majors and experiences come together to challenge themselves, build meaningful relationships and explore how their leadership can create positive change. Whether you’re just getting started or ready to take your leadership to the next level, BHLP meets you where you are and helps you become the leader you want to be.

Blue Hen Leadership Program Checklist

Leadership Certificates

Join us for a leadership certificate this spring! These are non-credit-bearing, co-curricular certificates that focus on a specific area of leadership. In Spring 2026, we’re offering five certificate programs.

Emerging Leader Certificate

The Emerging Leader Certificate is a foundational leadership certificate that meets for one hour per week for eight weeks. Students will learn some leadership theories, values and strengths, goal setting and how to work across differences and commonalities. This is a great place to start your leadership journey if you haven’t figured out where you want to go.

Followership Certificate

The Followership Certificate explores the power that followers hold in the Leader-Follower relationship. Without followers, leaders cannot create change. This new certificate will help students determine some excellent qualities of followership and encourage students who see themselves as leaders to explore where they are followers and how to embrace that role.

TED Lasso Leadership Certificate

The Ted Lasso Leadership Certificate meets for two hours each week for five weeks, ending before Spring Break. It will include watching the show Ted Lasso and then engaging in analysis and discussion about leadership lessons demonstrated in the show, including servant leadership, authentic leadership and courageous followership.

Leadership for Organizational Effectiveness

The Leadership for Organizational Effectiveness Certificate helps college students develop essential skills to lead and collaborate effectively in various settings. Students will learn about communication, teamwork and problem-solving while gaining insights into how organizations operate and succeed.

Leadership Portfolio Certificate

The Leadership Portfolio Certificate is an opportunity for students to compile all their leadership knowledge, learning and experiences throughout their time at UD and beyond into a portfolio and presentation that will assist with interviews for internships, graduate school and full time employment. Comprehensive reflection and demonstrated leadership learning are key components of this portfolio as analyzed along a path of personal and professional growth. Only students nearing graduation should register for this certificate.

What can you gain from a certificate in leadership?

  • Enhance your resume 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 leadership involves effecting positive change 

  • Learn skills that enhance your ability to build relationships and to manage an organization or team 

  • Improve your communication skills, critical thinking skills, problem analysis and management skills 

  • Engage in purposeful community service and reflection

JUMP Leadership Weekend

JUMP Leadership Weekend

Join us each September at Sandy Hill Camp & Retreat Center for an overnight leadership retreat where you’ll dive into goal setting, team building and a lot of fun!

Learn more about JUMP

Resources for Registered Student Organizations and Campus Groups

Leadership Consultants

Designed by students for students, our leadership consultants are a resource for your student organization to address concerns you might have and to understand and realize your team’s potential. Through personalized meetings, workshops and goal management, we hope to see your organization thrive to learn, lead and serve! 

If you are interested in connecting with the Student Leadership Consultants, please complete this form and we will be in touch with you!

Connect with a Leadership Consultant

Request a Workshop

The Creative Leadership, Innovation and Service team is proud to offer a variety of workshops that can engage all members of the campus community on leadership topics. Use our Request a Workshop form below and choose from one of our available topics or request a customized workshop.

Workshop Topic Areas

  • Personal Development
  • Leadership Foundations
  • Group and Team Dynamics
  • Organization Effectiveness

Request a Workshop