Barger Leadership Institute

Congrats to the BLI class of 2026!!

Create your Leadership Path We prepare students to become leaders at the university, at their workplace, in their communities, and in their lives through real-world actions.

The first step in your leadership journey! Join the BLI — the home for immersive and interdisciplinary undergraduate leadership experience.

What is leadership? What does it mean to follow well? This 3-credit winter course will help you build a leadership and followership “toolkit” that’s based on your values, skills, abilities, visions, and personal style.

Explore mindfulness and Peace Leadership in Japan! This course is set in a living-learning community in Japan, where students gain a holistic understanding of mindfulness from a cultural and humanities perspective.

BLI Community Meetings Join us for bi-monthly sessions on leadership learning while building community and making connections over great food!

BLI Detroit Retreat Apply to join the Barger Leadership Institute on a fully funded trip to Detroit this spring!

Leadership Certificate at the University of Michigan A BLI and MLEAD collaboration to help undergrads articulate and formalize their leadership experiences on campus.

Social Transformation Fellowship Take your passions and inspirations to positive social impact through a mini-course and up to $7,500 in project funding.

BLI Leadership Grants Allowing BLI members to receive financial support for short-term projects, events, or leadership development opportunities.

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Recent News

Empowering Student Impact: A Reflection on the BLI Grants Year

Our campus is overflowing with students who have the passion to create change, and I feel honored to have played a small part in fueling those efforts.

Lessons from Hiroshima: Cultivating Mindful Peace Leadership

A symposium examining how a mindful peace leadership education can empower the next generation to lead with dignity, responsibility, and hope.

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LSA is the place for foundational knowledge where creative thinkers engage with a complex, diverse, and changing world. We need your support to fuel our innovative environment, invest in the brightest people, and advance tomorrow’s breakthroughs.

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Welcome to the Barger Leadership Institute:

The home for immersive leadership experiences at the University of Michigan. We use the power of human connection to unearth and inspire authentic leaders.

Quick Links

JOIN THE BLI! Fill out the membership form here

Subscribe to the BLI SMS Service

Learn about our Leadership Path

Explore BLI member experiences in our Student Voices Blog

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