ICD undergrads selected for Tom Burnett Leadership Program
Three ICD undergraduate developmental psychology students were selected to be participants in the Tom Burnett Advanced Leadership Program in the Office of Undergraduate Education. The TBLP was named to honor University of Minnesota alumnus Thomas E. Burnett Jr., a passenger on United Flight 93 who took action with other passengers to stop the hijackers who were part of the terror attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. United Flight 93 crashed in a Pennsylvania field and all on board were killed. This year, ICD students make up a quarter of the program's 12-person cohort. They will participate in a semester-long weekly leadership development program.
Alharith Dameh
Alharith Dameh is a junior majoring in neuroscience and developmental psychology. After graduation, he intends to pursue a PhD in neuroscience and become an academic researcher.
What does it mean to you to be selected for the TBLP?
Being nominated and ultimately selected for the Tom Burnett Advanced Leadership Program has reaffirmed my commitment to leadership in various areas of my life. I'm glad that this work has been recognized as meaningful and I'm excited to continue similar service throughout my career.
What do you hope to gain out of the experience?
Through the program, I hope to bridge the gap between academic research and the communities they seek to benefit. Two of my mentors here in ICD, Dr. Phil Zelazo and Isabelle Morris, inspired me with their community-driven approaches to 'civic science,' and ever since then I realized this was the direction I hoped to take my own academic research career. Through the TBLP, I hope to continue developing these skills; grow as a leader in academia; and cultivate meaningful partnerships with the communities I hope to serve.
Alharith Dameh
Zach Douglas
Zach Douglas is a senior majoring in developmental psychology and family social sciences. He is applying to graduate schools and aims to work in therapy, specifically with children and adolescents. He is currently serving as the President of the Developmental Psychology Student Organization.
What does it mean to you to be selected for the TBLP?
It means a lot to be selected, as I have put a lot of work into showing leadership in my undergrad career. However the part I am most proud of is that I was nominated in the first place. To know others have seen enough examples of my leadership to think of me when considering nominees is an amazing feeling.
What do you hope to gain out of the experience?
I am hoping to gain more tangible knowledge on what it means to be a leader. I am eager to work on my leadership skills, and to compare my style of leadership to others in the program.
Zach Douglas, who also competes as a ballroom dancer.
Grace Goller
Grace Goller is a senior majoring in developmental psychology and political science. She is applying to law schools and is interested in the intersection of child development and the legal system. She is currently serving as the Marketing Officer of the Developmental Psychology Student Organization.
What does it mean to you to be selected for the TBLP?
I'm incredibly thankful to have been nominated and selected for this program. I'm excited to have the opportunity to receive individualized guidance in further developing my leadership skills, something which I believe will benefit me for years to come.
What do you hope to gain out of the experience?
I hope to learn how to become a more motivating leader in times of misdirection, and improve my ability to acknowledge feelings of disillusionment but still inspire new progress.
Grace Goller