Strong Serves & Stronger Futures: Girls Lead the Way at Arizona YIP

Volleyball and engineering. To some, that may seem like an unlikely combination—but at the Arizona Youth Impact Program, it’s just another extraordinary day.

For the first time in program history, middle school girls participated in a dynamic and groundbreaking new venture: a two-week collaboration between the University of Arizona’s College of Engineering and AZ YIP. Thanks to the vision and support of Dean David Hahn and YIP founder Riki Ellison, our Arizona girls experienced a program that blended intensive athletic training, STEM learning, and real-world mentorship in unforgettable ways.

Each morning, the girls met with University of Arizona Women’s Volleyball players and airmen from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base for athletic training. These sessions weren’t just about physical strength—they reinforced the values of teamwork, communication, and discipline, both on the court and beyond.

In the afternoons, the girls stepped into the CATalyst Studio, where they were immersed in a hands-on engineering experience: designing and planning surveillance balloon systems. With the guidance of tenured College of Engineering faculty and supportive mentors, the girls explored what it takes to move from concept to execution. The project challenged them to think critically, collaborate, and apply STEM concepts in creative and practical ways.

Throughout the two weeks, bonds were formed—between dreamers and athletes, between mentors and students, and among the girls themselves. On the final day, it was clear how deeply these connections mattered. Saying goodbye was no easy task.

At the closing ceremony, the girls stood proudly and shared their goals, aspirations, and the steps they are beginning to take toward making them real. This program exists to show young women that they don’t have to choose between passions—they can be strong on the court and sharp in the lab. That their dreams, no matter how bold, are valid and achievable.

Listening to each girl speak with confidence about the future she’s envisioning made one thing abundantly clear:

This is what it’s all about.

DREAM BIG—and don’t stop there.