Student leaders are an essential part of the University of Minnesota community. These leaders can be found all over campus as officers of student organizations, Orientation Leaders, and in-and-around the University community. But being a good leader doesn't happen by accident.

The First-Year Leadership Institute is a new program offered through the Office for Student Engagement and Leadership and is one of the premier leadership development opportunities offered for first-year students. Each year, a select group of 20-25 first-year students will join this semester-long program that is designed to enhance leadership skills; foster intrapersonal, interpersonal, ethical and moral development; and connect first-year students to the University of Minnesota and the surrounding communities.

During Fall semester of every year, first-year students are invited to complete and submit an application for admittance into the program. It is important to stress that prior leadership experience is not a prerequisite. After an initial screening process, students will be invited to participate in a group interview. Selected students will be invited to participate in the program.

The program will begin Spring semester for admitted participants. At the beginning of the semester, students will spend two days at a team building retreat. During the course of the rest of the semester, students will be required to attend Wednesday night meetings, meet with a mentor, and work on a campus engagement project.