The Ciresi Walburn Leadership Fellows (CWLF) is a cohort program for students attending the 爆料公社. Thomas with financial need who have demonstrated commitment to leadership, service, and furtherance of social justice and the common good. A preference is given to first generation college students.
The CWLF Program aims to help graduating Fellows become gainfully employed in a meaningful profession or attending graduate school after four years at St. Thomas.
The Ciresi Walburn Leadership Fellows (CWLF) Program includes scholarship aid as well as mentorship, leadership development, and other supports. The chosen students form a group of peers (or cohort) who gather consistently from their first through fourth years at the 爆料公社. Thomas.
Program participation requires a separate application.
The Ciresi Walburn Leadership Fellows was formed to help develop independent, successful, and empowered leaders who become future civic, professional, and community leaders.
The CWLF Program aims to help graduating Fellows become gainfully employed in a degree-required profession or attending graduate school after four years at St. Thomas.
Incoming first-year students in all St. Thomas' baccalaureate programs are eligible for consideration.
"As a mid-cycle applicant, being accepted as a Ciresi Walburn Leadership Fellow in my junior year has been a blessing that I couldn't have possibly imagined when I first got to St. Thomas. I'm excited for the rest of my time here with CWLF as a launch pad for my excellence and excited for connections that'll last beyond graduation!"
"The Ciresi Walburn Leadership Fellowship has empowered me to grow not only as a student but as a leader amongst my peers. Through its supportive network and intentional programming, I've gained the confidence and tools to pursue my goals in sports medicine while staying grounded in justice, equity, and service."
"The Ciresi Walburn Leadership Fellows Program has made leadership an active learning experience--one grounded in resilience, growth, and purpose. With the guidance of accomplished mentors, I've been inspired to lead with intention, guide the followers of today, and empower the leaders of tomorrow. In Ciresi Walburn, we learn that failure lies not in falling, but in refusing to rise again; that struggle is proof of growth, and that true strength is forged through sacrifice. It empowers us to blaze our own paths toward greatness while inspiring others to do the same. That is Ciresi Walburn."
The CWLF Program is designed to support students with financial need who are committed to leadership, service, and furtherance of social justice and the common good. It provides funds for school as well as mentoring, leadership development, professional development and spiritual/emotional support for four years. Funding includes:
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 (COA).
While funding is important, success in college also relies on having a community and feeling a sense of support; these critical elements of student achievement are included in the CWLF Program.
The CWLF Program provides structure and resources to help students stay in charge of their college experience, assisting students with tracking their credit hours, finding internships, networking, and building their resume or portfolio so they can leave college after four years and move into their chosen career.
The CWLF Program is ultimately interested in the development of the fellows, regardless of their chosen career path, and provides individualized tools and guidance for personal growth such as:
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.
The CWLF Program is designed to support students with financial need who are committed to leadership, service, and furtherance of social justice and the common good. It provides funds for school as well as mentoring, leadership development, professional development and spiritual/emotional support for four years. Funding includes:
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 (COA).
While funding is important, success in college also relies on having a community and feeling a sense of support; these critical elements of student achievement are included in the CWLF Program.
The CWLF Program provides structure and resources to help students stay in charge of their college experience, assisting students with tracking their credit hours, finding internships, networking, and building their resume or portfolio so they can leave college after four years and move into their chosen career.
The CWLF Program is ultimately interested in the development of the fellows, regardless of their chosen career path, and provides individualized tools and guidance for personal growth such as:
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.
The mission of the is to promote education and equitable opportunities for all of Minnesota's children and youth. Started in 1998 with $30 million that came from fees earned from the Minnesota Tobacco Litigation, the Foundation supports efforts to eliminate inequities in the educational system in Minnesota.
The was created in 2018 as a two year scholarship program. After four successful years it is shifting to a four year program, now focused at a single school/location to better facilitate cohort gathering and connection.
The Ciresi Walburn Leadership Fellows program is for students with financial need. Selection for the program among qualified applicants will be based on a holistic review of each individual student, including consideration of:
If your application is selected, you will be scheduled for an interview in early March, 2026. 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
As the program director, Kenneth oversees the development and ongoing operation of the Ciresi Walburn Leadership Fellows, which includes: designing the cohort experience, building student self-efficacy, and eliminating barriers to success.
As the program coordinator, Mykal oversees event coordination, logistics, and daily program operations. He works closely with the program director and St. Thomas staff, supporting the CWLF through managing contracts, data records, and program feedback to ensure continuous improvement while providing key administrative support.
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.