Leadership and learning are indispensible to each other. ~ John F. Kennedy

What sets Blueprint apart from other pre-college programs? It’s the people. We mean it. And an attitude that lets students be themselves and explore their options.

For each campus, Blueprint hires its own skilled crew of directors, teachers, resident advisers and medical staff. Blueprint liaisons work tirelessly to coordinate with partner-school faculty and staff, develop activities, finalize the fascinating courses, and much more.

Founders
Friends since elementary school, Justin and Michael traveled along different paths – both educationally and professionally, but reunited to create the kind of pre-college program that they wished they had gone to. Their own experiences and their blend of complementary backgrounds shaped the foundation of the Blueprint Signature Summer Programs where curiosity is key and kids can be themselves. Together, they are great partners!

Justin Laman
With a degree in journalism from the University of Georgia, Justin took on the world as a journalist in New York City. He switched gears in 2003 to follow his family's tradition of work in education. After running successful East Coast summer programs for colleges and secondary schools, he knew he was ready to create a new kind of program that he would have enjoyed as a high schooler, and founded Blueprint with Michael.

A couple of tips from Justin:

• "Smaller colleges want to meet you; try and take a look at a few and see if you like them. Just because some college guidebook assigns them a number doesn't mean it isn't where you'll get the most bang for your tuition dollar."

• “For whatever college you consider, ask yourself ‘Why am I am applying here?’ and ‘Is this the right fit for me?’ ”

Michael Dodson
After transferring from UVM, Michael received a degree in political science from Emory University. Although not a part of his original college plans, he studied in Italy and Egypt. He worked as an options trader at the New York Board of Trade before developing summer programs in 2005. He even spent some time on the educational front lines, teaching history.

A couple of tips from Michael:

• “Take fun, unusual courses that will never land you a job.”

• “You know when a college is the right fit for you when you're almost sad to go home for the holidays.”