Tier 1 is designed as a very structured program within the Leadership Journey for first-year students at Purdue University. The Emerging Leaders Program (ELP) helps facilitate learning and engagement for first-year students. Students benefit substantially by being involved in co-curricular activities. Students learn by becoming involved. Students who engage in co-curricular learning experiences and involvement are more likely to do better academically, exhibit better time-management skills, graduate from college (retention), get hired after graduation and remain connected with their institution as active alumni. The underlying premise of the ELP is that students who engage in a co-curricular leadership development program will benefit through a heightened sense of self-discovery, skill level and self-confidence, as well as, stronger connections to peers and staff.
The ELP is structured to convey a basic approach to leadership concepts. This curriculum is meant to introduce basic themes, attitudes and skills of leadership to first-year students. This ELP will hopefully serve as a foundation for their future leadership at Purdue University and beyond. Leadership is explored as an integral component of a student’s career and life plan. Once first-year students have completed the ELP, they will be invited to continue on the Leadership Journey by participating the subsequent tier programs as well as in other leadership opportunities on campus and in the community
           
Specific learning objectives include:
*Consciousness of Self
*Congruence
*Commitment
*Inclusiveness
            -Understanding of Self
            -Understanding of Others
*Ethical Behavior
            -Integrity