Western Black Leadership University Experience (B.L.U.E.)

Image of 17 students representing the 2023/2024 cohort of BLUE students Western Blue Cohort of 2023-24

Student Applications Now Closed


Western is committed to creating an inclusive, diverse, and equitable campus. We aspire to empower and support Black students throughout their university journeys, so they are confident and prepared to embark on successful and fulfilling careers.​ With this in mind, we are excited to launch the Western Black Student Leadership University Experience (Western B.L.U.E.) program.  

Western B.L.U.E. provides in-person, paid, part-time leadership experiences for 20 Black students. The experiences will be funded by the university and hosted by organizations in the London area (including Western). Each experience is valued at $6,300 for the part-time commitment over the 5-month period. Western B.L.U.E was generously supported by Western’s Alumni Association for the 2024/2025 academic year. 

Students will be given the opportunity to work on a chosen challenge independently alongside a dedicated mentor who will provide the student with ongoing supervision and feedback.

The program’s key objectives include:

  • To demonstrate the passion, talent and knowledge of Black student leaders in the community and instill a spirit of community giving across campus
  • To help Black students develop transferable skills through work-integrated learning and community partnerships
  • To create meaningful income-earning opportunities for Black students
  • To develop a strong network of Black student leaders who can offer guidance and mentorship to future program participants

For questions or inquiries, please attend the drop-in information session on Tuesday the 24th of September from 12:30 to 1:30 at the Weldon Library Community Room or email westernblue@uwo.ca.

Information for Students (Applications Now Closed): 

Responsibilities

  • Students must be willing to commit 15 hours/week to this program from November 2024 - March 2025. These hours must be completed during the working hours of the organization you are partnered with. For more details on preferred hours, please visit the Host and Challenges page
  • Demonstrate the necessary leadership and problem-solving skills required to tackle the chosen challenge independently
  • Aim to achieve 4-6 learning goals that will be identified at the start of the experience
  • Participate in mid-point and final check-ins with the university 
  • Students are also expected to attend two career workshops and one networking event per semester

Eligibility 

  • Must be a full-time student at Western, Kings or Huron and expect to retain full-time student status for the duration of this appointment
  • Has previously demonstrated leadership in the classroom, through extracurriculars, work or within their community
  • Preference for students currently enrolled in their second year or higher, including those in postgraduate studies.

Information for Employers (Applications Now Closed):

Requirements of host sites include:

  • Identify an exciting challenge for a Western B.L.U.E. participant to work on independently
  • Provide a safe and inclusive workplace and complete Western’s Anti-Racism online module prior to the start of the experience
  • Assign a dedicated mentor who will provide the student with ongoing supervision and feedback
  • Host the student in-person up to 15 hours/week from November 2024 – March 2025
  • Provide the student with a workspace and any other required tools and resources (e.g., laptop, software)
  • Help the student develop 4-6 learning goals at the start of the experience
  • Participate in mid-point and final check-ins with the university 
Please note that submission of a challenge does not guarantee that you will be matched with a student.

Process and Key Dates

August 19, 2024: Deadline for host site applications

September 13, 2024: Student applications open

September 24, 2024: Drop-in session for students from 12:30 - 1:30 at Weldon Library Community Room, ​Room 128; students interested in the program are welcome to drop by to learn more or to ask questions (no registration required)

September 29, 2024: Deadline for students to apply

Early October 2024: Student applications will be evaluated by Western’s Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI); selected students will participate in an interview with the site and member of the Office of EDI

November 2024 – March 2025: Students spend 15 hour/week in-person at the host site working on the challenge identified