Overview
Each spring semester, a small cohort of University of Minnesota students meet weekly in an advanced leadership development program focused on identifying and nurturing leadership skills. This no-cost experiential program offers workshops and discussions on leadership in transition, maximizing personal strengths and values, and finding alignment between self-perception and personal impact. Students also have an opportunity to apply their learning in a practical context through a mentorship program.
Tom Burnett’s Story
On September 11, 2001, University of Minnesota alumnus Thomas E. Burnett Jr. became an American hero. Burnett switched flights on his return trip to California from a business trip in New York so he could get home to his wife Deena and three young daughters sooner than planned. He ended up on United Flight 93. On the same morning of the terror attacks on New York’s World Trade Center and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., the plane on which Burnett was a passenger was hijacked. He called Deena from the plane several times asking questions and telling her, “We have to do something. I’m putting a plan together.” Later he said, “We’re waiting until we get over a rural area. We’re going to take back the airplane.”
Burnett and a handful of fellow passengers accosted the hijackers and did something that caused United Flight 93 to crash into a Pennsylvania field, rather than into another American landmark. All on board were killed, but no one on land perished.
“He died as a hero to millions,” explained a long-time friend and fraternity brother. “None of us will likely be in the position in which Tom found himself that morning so we can’t emulate his last acts; but we can emulate how he lived, with character, courage, spirit, curiosity, integrity, and love.”
Program Structure
When Burnett jumped to action on United Flight 93, he acted as an ordinary citizen who knew he could make a difference. That is the essence of leadership. University of Minnesota leadership programs teach students how to become personal leaders who are active, engaged citizens committed to the broader community and their careers after graduation. Through a breadth of activities, students learn about citizenship, how to be a leader in their chosen field, and how to enact change, one person at a time.
Student Qualifications
- Be a University of Minnesota junior or senior (preference will be given to seniors)
- Maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA
- Have knowledge, understanding, and experience in leadership
- Commit to the necessary time and effort to complete the program
Nomination & Application Process
- Staff, faculty & TBLP alumni are welcome to nominate outstanding senior student leaders for the program. The nomination form will open again in September 2025.
- Nominated students will be invited to apply for the program. Student applications will open again in October 2025.
Contact Coordinator Rebecca Bergner (berg1097@umn.edu) for more information.