Ciresi Walburn Leadership Fellows

The Ciresi Walburn Leadership Fellows (CWLF) is a cohort program for �� students with high financial need who have demonstrated a commitment to leadership, service, and furtherance of racial and social justice and the common good. Preference is given to first generation �� students.

Fellows form a group of peers (or cohort) who gather regularly from their freshman through senior years at the ��. The CWLF Program aims to help Fellows become gainfully employed in a meaningful profession or attend graduate school after receiving their degrees.

The Ciresi Walburn Leadership Fellows (CWLF) Program includes mentorship, leadership development, and the opportunity for internships and other unique experiences - plus a substantial scholarship. Fellowship students receive up to $70,000 in scholarship support over four years, which, in addition to further financial support that students receive at St. Thomas, covers the vast majority—if not all—of tuition costs for many Fellows.

Incoming first-year students in all St. Thomas' baccalaureate programs are eligible for consideration.

Program participation requires a separate application.

Contact for CWLF

Mykal Howard (he/him/his)
Manager of Ciresi Walburn Leadership Fellows
mykal.howard@stthomas.edu
651-962-6327

participants in ciresi walburn leadership fellows program

Program Goals

The Ciresi Walburn Leadership Fellows was formed to help develop independent, successful, and empowered leaders who become future civic, professional, and �� leaders.

The CWLF Program is designed to support students not only financially, but also academically, personally, and professionally. The program is intentionally designed to help students stay engaged, organized, and connected.

Many students describe the Fellowship as one of the most meaningful parts of their �� experience.

Testimonials

Keyon Archer

"I am honored to contribute to Black excellence at the �� and within the St. Paul ��, and to use this opportunity to create lasting, positive change"

Francesca Berg

"I started out as a girl from the North who didn't have many Black friends, or even many people like me who had gone through similar experiences to get where we are now. Every single person is finding who they are and spreading their wings to become something great. When I received this scholarship, I was in shock. I never knew I was capable of being part of such a wonderful scholarship program."

Andre Clifton

"I have found a group of people in my �� where I feel like I belong - people I can relate to and feel comfortable turning to if I ever need anything."

Abdulrahman Yakubu

"The Ciresi Walburn Leadership Fellows Scholarship Program has opened my eyes to so many opportunities and given me the time and support to get involved in the spaces where I want to be. It has also given me a great �� within my cohort, and it truly feels like one big family."

Abdi Ibrahim

"This scholarship has allowed me to truly experience higher education and share that journey with my siblings and friends, many of whom are also first-generation Americans. With this scholarship, I'm not just chasing my own goals - I'm also showing others in my �� that it's possible. Along the way, I'm surrounded and motivated by fellow students and inspiring leaders who come from similar backgrounds and share the same drive to make a difference."

What the CWLF Program Provides

The CWLF Program is designed to support graduates of a Minnesota high school with high financial need who are committed to leadership, service, and furtherance of racial and social justice and the common good.

three men with their arms around each other smiling

Overview & Funding

CWLF provides funds for tuition as well as mentoring, leadership development, professional development and spiritual/emotional support for four years. Funding includes:

Tuition scholarship: Up to $17,500 for each full academic year for a total of eight semesters, four years or until graduation, whichever comes first (up to $70,000 total). In addition to further financial support that students receive at St. Thomas, the CWLF scholarship covers the vast majority - if not all - of tuition costs for many Fellows
Support in finding a paid internship or research project the summer after your junior year
Support in finding on-campus employment or work-study

St. Thomas offers a number of merit scholarships and scholarships specific to individual areas of study. Receiving this scholarship may impact other funds you receive from the university. Financial aid from all sources may not exceed the annual total Cost of Attendance.

Three students overlooking the downtown Minneapolis skyline

Community & Support

While funding is important, success in �� also relies on having a �� and feeling a sense of support; these critical elements of student achievement are included in the CWLF Program.

Consistent group (or cohort) of peers who gather regularly throughout their four years at St. Thomas for events, activities, and meals
CWLF Fellows are committed to living on campus as part of the Emerging Scholars LLC during their first year
Opportunities to participate in �� service and civic engagement, along with involvement and leadership in clubs and organizations
Annual celebrations including a formal Pinning and Induction Ceremony that welcomes new fellows into the CWLF �� — honoring their leadership, identity, and commitment to the program

Group of five women with arms around one another and smiling

Scholastic & Career Guidance

The CWLF Program provides structure and resources to help students stay in charge of their �� experience, assisting students with tracking their credit hours, finding internships, networking, and building their resume or portfolio so they can leave �� after four years and move into their chosen career.

Support in finding a paid summer internship or research project following their junior year
Academic advising, checking each semester if "on track" for graduation
January-term leadership course which provides credits that count towards their degree
Business/professional attire for each fellow
Career planning and networking opportunities

Group of students in suits outside of the Capitol building

Personal Development

The CWLF Program is designed for students who want more than a traditional �� experience. The program is interested in the development of the fellows, regardless of their chosen career path, and provides individualized tools and guidance for personal growth such as:

Guided mentorship
Individual goal-setting/development plans with program staff
Cohort retreats and leadership trips

Group of students standing and laughing around tables after playing a game

Why Cohorts Matter

A cohort is a group of individuals participating in a program together. Through structured and informal shared experiences, they form strong connections and offer ongoing peer support throughout their time in the program.

The cohort model, together with embedded mentorship, is a pillar of the CWLF Program. The cohort is expected to create a distinct web of lifelong mental, spiritual and academic support for the students and create accountability within the group for each other to strengthen the experience for each individual participant.

Fellows:

Support one another academically and personally
Challenge one another to grow
Build friendships that extend well beyond ��

About the Ciresi Walburn Foundation

The mission of the is to serve as a catalyst for creative, innovative, and societal-changing programs and policies to promote education and equitable opportunities for all of Minnesota’s children and youth.

Started in 1998 with fees earned from the Minnesota Tobacco litigation, the Foundation has granted more than $43 million to more than 140 schools and nonprofit organizations to further its mission.

Applying to the CWLF Program

The Ciresi Walburn Leadership Fellows program is for graduates of a Minnesota high school with high financial need. Selection for the program among qualified applicants will be based on a holistic review of each individual student, including consideration of:

Commitment of UST's mission of dismantling inequities and economic disparities and ensuring the dignity of each person
Demonstrated history of how the student's background, heritage, or culture motivated him or her, through courage and determination, to assume a leadership role or attain a particular goal that evidences that individual's unique ability to contribute to the university
Demonstrate commitment to leadership, service, and furtherance of social justice and the common good
Eagerness to participate in all program activities and motivation to succeed
Commitment to meaningfully contribute to building and sustaining the cohort of fellows in the program (including participation in group activities and mentoring younger cohorts)
Demonstrated financial need based on the results of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid or Minnesota Alternative State Financial Aid Application and be legally authorized to work in the U.S. during the course of obtaining their degree
Preference given to first-generation �� students

How to Apply to the Ciresi Walburn Leadership Fellows program

- You can apply to the CWLF program within the Admissions Portal for St. Thomas.
- You will answer three questions, including short essays. NOTE that you can return to your St. Thomas scholarship application multiple times, saving your work each time.
- More details about applying for scholarships are available via the Admissions Portal

If your application is selected, you will be scheduled for an interview in early March, 2027. Interviews are an important part of the selection process and will provide an opportunity to showcase your qualifications further and fit for the program. You can expect to hear the interview results and final selection in March. We encourage you to prepare thoroughly and look forward to learning more about you.

Application Review Process

Applications are due February 15, 2027 at 11:59 p.m.
Virtual interviews for selected semi-finalists will be conducted the week of March 1, 2027.
On-campus interviews for selected finalists will be on March 13, 2027
Awarded students will be notified by March 18, 2027

CWLF Program Leadership

Dr. Lily Asrat, Director

As Director, Dr. Lily Asrat provides strategic leadership and direction for the CWLF Program, ensuring its scholarships, programming, and student-support initiatives advance the program’s mission. She oversees program planning, recruitment and selection, assessment, staff development, budgets, and collaboration with the Ciresi Walburn Foundation. Working closely with Fellows, campus leaders, and �� partners, Dr. Asrat strengthens the resources and opportunities that support students’ academic success, leadership growth, career readiness, and graduation.

Mykal Howard, Program Manager

As Program Manager, Mykal leads the day-to-day implementation of the CWLF experience, supporting Fellows from recruitment and selection through graduation. He coordinates cohort programming, student success initiatives, leadership development, internships, and major events while cultivating partnerships across St. Thomas and throughout the ��. Working closely with the program director, Mykal also manages program operations, student employees, budgets, contracts, data, and assessment to strengthen the Fellowship and ensure students receive consistent, individualized support.

Ciresi Walburn Foundation Board

The Ciresi Walburn Foundation is an independent nonprofit foundation. Board members bring a variety of experience in the education, legal, youth development, and workforce sectors.

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