Inclusive Leaders in Information
Develop an inclusive approach to leading within the information science field while connecting with a strong cohort of peers. As a UMSI student in the Inclusive Leaders in Information program, you’ll build skills in facilitation, restorative practices, storytelling and navigating difficult conversations, which you can begin practicing immediately and take with you into your professional life.
The ILI program is grounded in the core competencies of adaptability, empathy, building relationships, teamwork and self awareness.
Program objectives
- Join a strong cohort of student leaders who trust and find community amongst each other.
- Develop the competencies of an inclusive leader, through the opportunity to facilitate workshops with experts and use reflection tools to relate new competencies to current situations.
- Enjoy opportunities to connect with faculty and leaders in the field.
- Learn strategies for articulating these skills in your resume and interviews.
- Work as a cohort to create a more inclusive community at UMSI.
Program timeline
September–April each academic year
Highlights
Retreats
You’ll attend one retreat each semester. Past retreats have included team building activities at the Radrick Adventure Education Center and planting succulents at the Matthaei Botanical Gardens.
Faculty and industry professional talks
You will hear directly from UMSI faculty and industry professionals with real-world experience in the program’s topics, with opportunities to ask questions and learn from their insights.
Interactive sessions
Throughout the program, you will participate in sessions focused on developing inclusive leadership skills, with the opportunity to practice these skills with your cohort through engaging activities.
Why should I apply?
- You’ll become part of a supportive community who will help you in creating and making progress toward your goals.
- You’ll gain insights and advice from seasoned professionals on navigating the job market and standing out as an inclusive leader.
- You’ll gain critical skills that will help you work effectively with diverse populations. You’ll have the opportunity to propose solutions or strategies to create lasting change to the school.
- Upon successful completion, you will receive a certificate of completion, a special leadership graduation cord and experiences to share on your job application materials.
How to apply
All UMSI students who will be enrolled for the entire academic year are welcome to apply. The application for the ILI program opens in mid-August and closes in early September. To learn more and apply, email [email protected].
“As an BSI student, this was a great space for me to connect with graduate students, and that made me feel more comfortable doing so in other settings. I learned that leadership comes in many forms, and the combination of traits that make us unique make us great leaders in our own way. The retreats were highlights of my UMSI experience!”
—Lance Negrut, BSI ’27
“ILI helped me grow as a leader and a professional. I gained confidence in communication, dynamic teamwork, and understanding different leadership styles. I also built connections with mentors and fellow UMSI students, which expanded my network. Most importantly, I learned how to apply leadership skills to make a positive impact in my academic journey, professional development and community work.”
—Olga Hamilton, BSI ’26
“This one of few spaces in the School of Information where we really talked about human complexity on a bigger scale. As we continue to do work with one another in the realm of information science and continuously putting people at the center, it's important to consider perspective. UMSI students gain a sense of community in ILI while also reflecting on experiences that may shape how they retrieve, store, present, utilize and create information in more holistic ways.”
—Dallas McGhee-Henry
