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

 Black Student

Student Applications Now Closed for 2022-2023

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.  

In this first year of the program, Western B.L.U.E. will provide paid part-time leadership experiences for 15 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 $6,000 for the part-time commitment over the 5 month period. 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.

View the Hosts and Challenges for 2022-2023 Western B.L.U.E

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

Information for Students:

Responsibilities

  • Students must be willing to commit 15 hours/week to this program between November to April
  • 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 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

Deadline to Apply: September 30, 2022

 

Process and Key Dates

September 26, 2022: Drop-in session for students 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 30, 2022: Deadline for students to apply

Early October 2022: 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 2022 – March 2023: Students spend 15 hour/week in-person at the host site working on the challenge identified

 

Information for Employers (Applications for Host sites now closed for 2022-2023):

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 2022 – March 2023
  • 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.

Deadline to apply as a host:  Applications now closed