The Barger Leadership Institute (BLI): the home for immersive and interdisciplinary undergraduate leadership experiences at the University of Michigan. The BLI takes a holistic approach to help students explore, nurture, and realize their leadership potential.
Through the power of empathy, understanding, and mindfulness, students explore a leadership approach based on dedicated practice, deep human connection, and inspiration. With a balance of high-touch mentorship and real-world autonomy, BLI offers a certificate, classes, fellowships, and more — all designed to enhance and elevate the full Michigan educational experience.
BLI is far more than a resume builder. It is the realization of leadership potential in all aspects: social, situational, relational, and cultural. With your donor support, the Institute offers emerging leaders more than just a skill set; they will help instill a learning mindset – one that will serve Michigan students throughout their education, career, and life. The BLI uses the power of human connection and financial support from Alumni, donors, and friends to unearth and uplift tomorrow's leaders.
View our Giving Opportunities PDF.
In our students' words,
As I got more involved, I quickly realized that BLI was not a standard leadership experience that emphasized hard work and hard skills and sent you on your way. Rather, BLI distinctly emphasizes mindful leadership: the process of using self-reflection to measure and manage leadership responsibilities, thus cultivating focus, creativity, and passion for team members.
“Leaders and best” is a popular phrase at U of M, but in the Social Transformation Fellowship (STF), you feel that more than ever. I am incredibly grateful that I could enter an incredibly supportive, endlessly passionate community of scholars and, most importantly, change-makers. I have no doubt that I will continue seeing names from STF creating spectacular businesses, nonprofits, and organizations.
With the help of the BLI, I was able to put into work the ideas I am passionate about and explore the world of research and intervention. BLI helped me transition my focus from me being the first to go to college, to how can I help those who are also the first in their family to go to college.
