SPARK

The SPARK program was founded in 2016 by a group of undergraduate women of color with the intention of creating spaces of belonging, engaging in peer-to-peer leadership development, and supporting the success and retention of students in their first year at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. SPARK empowers participants in their transitions into and through Carolina through dialogue, self-reflection, and leadership development. SPARK aims to engage participants in immersive opportunities to establish community and be empowered to create positive social change. Whether a student is a participant or leads as a Counselor, SPARK creates a supportive community and provides opportunities for leadership development, resilience, and personal growth.

SPARK initially began as a student-led overnight retreat for first year students at UNC, with a focus on supporting the transition to campus. Since its inception, SPARK has positively impacted the lives of more than 400 undergraduate students at UNC. As interest and demand in SPARK continued to grow over the years, Bloom was established in 2025 as an initiative through SPARK specifically designed to cater to upper-class students. Keeping with the tradition of SPARK being student-led, Bloom was created with the intention of expanding the reach and impact of the SPARK retreat to ensure that upper-class students who did not attend SPARK would have the opportunity to engage in a similar, high-impact experience. Bloom takes place as a day-long retreat on campus at the start of spring semester.

To be considered for either SPARK or Bloom, an application must be submitted due to the limited number of spots in both programs. Learn more about SPARK and Bloom below!

Student-created and student-led, SPARK is an immersive opportunity for leadership development, dialogue, and self-reflection for first-year students at UNC interested in collective impact and positive change.

The SPARK program consists of a retreat at the start of the Fall semester for undergraduate students in their first year at UNC. All interested students must submit an application to be considered to attend the SPARK retreat, as there are a limited number of spots available.

Retreat Dates: Friday September 11^th-Sunday September 13^th , 2026

Location: Betsy Jeff-Penn 4H Camp, Reidsville, NC

*all lodging, food, and transportation to and from the retreat are covered, making this a free opportunity for students! Attendees are required to be at SPARK for the entire duration of the retreat.

All applications must be submitted through Heel Life: https://heellife.unc.edu/submitter/form/start/727431

Priority Applications Deadline: August 3rd at 8:00AM

What is a “priority application?” If you heard about SPARK over the summer or at Orientation and you know this is the retreat for you, get your application in early! Submitting an application by our priority deadline gives you the opportunity to:

• Meet the SPARK Counselor team, previous SPARK participants, and other incoming SPARK attendees before the retreat
• Connect with staff supporting SPARK
• Contribute to the SPARK retreat playlist

Standard Application Deadline: Monday August 31st at 8:00AM

You didn’t hear about SPARK until you started classes? No problem! Applications are open through the first two weeks of classes. There are still plenty of opportunities to meet other attendees and our SPARK Counselor team in advance of the retreat.

SPARK Kickoff: August 19^th (date and time TBD)

Meet SPARK in the Pit: August 20^th and 21^st (11:30am-1:30pm)

Learn about SPARK at S.O.L.E. Fest! Stop by the Student Life & Leadership table from 11am-1pm August 24-28.

Information Sessions:

• Tuesday August 25^th at 5:30pm, Carolina Union 3503
• Wednesday August 26^th at 6:00pm, Carolina Union 3503

Student-created and student-led, Bloom builds off SPARK to create an immersive opportunity for leadership development, dialogue, and self-reflection for upper-class students at UNC interested in collective impact and positive change. Bloom consists of a day-long retreat the start of the Spring semester for undergraduate students who have completed at least one year at UNC. All interested students must submit an application to be considered to attend Bloom, as there are a limited number of spots available.

Students that have previously attended SPARK are not eligible to attend Bloom.

*Application Information Coming Soon!!*

Tentative Date: Saturday January 9th, 2027

Time: 10:00am-6:00pm

Location: TBD

Perks: CLE credit, meals, and swag provided, alongside an engaging day of community building, empowerment, and more!

*Attendees are expected to commit to attending Bloom for the entire duration of the program. This is not intended to be an event where attendees can leave and return to sessions at their own time.