University of Michigan Barger Leadership Institute

During the University of Michigan's fall break, the Barger Leadership Institute hosted its annual Mindful?Leader?Fall?Retreat. BLI Students and Staff traveled to Brooklyn, Michigan, for the inclusive retreat. This three-day long trip provided students with an overview of the concepts and practices of mindful leadership, the Mindful Mindset, contemplative practices, and peace leadership. Christian Loza, a BLI Applied Leadership Fellow, wrote that the Mindful Leader Retreat was "far more than a weekend getaway," calling it an "enriching journey that allowed students to relax, reflect, and bond." We encourage you to read Christian's personal reflection linked below!

On October 1st, the Barger Leadership Institute welcomed Ira Chaleff for an incredible BLI Speaker Event. Chaleff brought a unique perspective to the Institute, discussing the importance of followership theory. Having spent much of his career in the political sector, Chaleff led a nonpartisan conversation about understanding the rise of tyrannical political leaders on both the political left and right. He also brought insights from his new book 'To Stop a Tyrant: How Courageous Political Followers Make a Crucial Difference.' His thought-provoking insights left attendees with a deeper understanding of their roles as followers and the impact they can have in shaping effective leadership. #Followership #Leaders #LeadershipDevelopment

This summer, we are thrilled to announce the release of Ram Mahalingam’s Michigan Online course! In Mindfulness, Dignity, and the Art of Human Connection, participants learn to lead a mindful life by cultivating a sense of dignity and creative engagement. Engage in art, meditation, and writing activities to foster a more profound understanding of dignity within oneself and others while refining emotional regulation skills. Deepen your connection to self, others, and the world around you — https://myumi.ch/qVQ7N

The BLI is #hiring! We are looking for a new team member in a new role. This full-time position (with summer seasonal leave) is for someone interested in creating a welcoming, fun, and enriching community for undergraduate students. As this is a new position, it's also a perfect fit for anyone seeking to get creative and develop programs, events, and procedures from the ground up. https://lnkd.in/eNgwq8ct

Our BLI Senior members had the opportunity to attend the Detroit Tigers Game, hosted in the Barger Family Suite! This was an amazing way to celebrate our wonderful Seniors and enjoy some quality time together!

Earlier this month, students from the BLI had the opportunity to attend our Detroit Retreat, with a theme centered around Utilizing Technology for Social Good! During this retreat, students heard from leaders who have made Detroit their home and learned how they contribute to their communities and use technology to make a lasting social impact. It featured leadership learning visits to iconic Detroit institutions and restaurants, and engaging group activities and reflections! Thank you to our panelists Jason Dixon, Christina Fair, Donavan McKinney, James McRae, Johnnie Turnage, Trista V., Marvin D. Yates, Sr, Raqman Lewis

BLI Academic Program Manager Fatema Haque and Rackham's Well-Being Advocate Elizabeth Rohr, MSW were recently featured on the Break Away podcast! In the episode titled "How do you learn self-compassion?", they discuss the ins and outs of self-compassion, including how social and cultural identities play into our exercising of self-compassion! They end the conversation with a variety of resources on how to build your own capacity for self-compassion. Listen here: https://lnkd.in/ei2xyyXy

Over Spring Break, students had the opportunity to visit Washington DC with the BLI for an experiential leadership journey! Attendees connected behind the scenes with community leaders and UM alumni in different contexts and experienced the rich history and culture of Washington DC! Here's what some students had to say about the trip: "Thank you so much for this amazing opportunity!! I'm so thankful that I was able to explore DC through a leadership lens and I learned so much on this trip." "The individuals I met during this trip were truly remarkable, each having a spirit of ambition and purpose. I'm grateful for the opportunity to have crossed paths with such inspiring souls." "The chance to connect with alumni during the trip was immensely beneficial, offering invaluable insights and guidance as I navigate my own path."

Recently, the BLI was able to invite five of our amazing alumni back to campus for our annual BLI Alumni Panel! In a panel organized and moderated by our Lead Applied Leadership Fellow, Drue Daley, alumni Sanjee Choudhuri, Jessica Kosticak, Ryan R., Olivia Thompson, and Raeruth (Rae) Oleshansky gave insight into making the most of their time at the University of Michigan and navigating transitions post-grad (pictured from L-R). Our students were thrilled to connect with and learn from our alumni. One student shared that "hearing from alums about their career journeys and the ways that their experiences in the BLI shaped those journeys was invaluable... every alum was visibly excited to speak to us, making the overall event that much more comfortable for everyone." Thank you to our inspiring alumni for continuing to engage with the BLI and our students! Forever Go Blue!

The BLI will be hosting an Alumni Panel this Friday from 4-6pm! Join us on the 10th Floor of Weiser Hall to hear from our wonderful BLI alumni on making the most of your time at UM and navigating transitions post-grad! The event will include a moderated panel with the following BLI alumni: Sanjee Choudhuri, Ryan R., Olivia Thompson, Raeruth (Rae) Oleshansky, and Jessica Kosticak. Following the panel, students will have the chance to engage in informal networking with panelists and other BLI alumni!