About Leadership Interns
Being a morally responsible leader who thinks critically, acts wisely and works skillfully to advance the common good is not for the faint of heart. It requires conviction, fortitude, character and, above all, faith. The two-year Habiger Institute Leadership Interns program for St. Thomas juniors and seniors offers Christ-centered formation that brings the full demands of the Gospel to being a Catholic leader in a complex world.
Participating students are exemplary leaders from a variety of St. Thomas fields of study and extracurricular activities.
Our approach is a Christ-centered, distinctly Catholic leadership formation integrating hands-on opportunities for leadership and service, as well as exciting opportunities to personally engage with faithful, seasoned Catholic leaders in the areas of business, politics, education, law and the Church.
Contact
Fr. Austin Litke, OP
Leadership Interns Program Pillars
Catholic Leadership Formation
Leadership is who you are, not what you do.
Your faith and character are the foundation upon which your gifts and skills find their strongest footing. Our formation program is based upon five building blocks which are, in order of importance:
- Faith
- Character
- Vocation
- Gifts
- Skills
Program Activities
You begin with the fall semester Vision Retreat and continue with weekly leadership and formation meetings throughout the academic year. In between you will lead and help coordinate Catholic-related student life programs. You will also interact with business and Church leaders, and inspiring St. Thomas alumni.
Spring Institute
This program capstone is an opportunity to examine the concrete, practical implications of Catholic leadership. Past Institutes include studying the principles of Christian culture in France, considering a Catholic's duties toward society in Washington D.C., exploring Latino and Hispanic Catholic culture in Peru, and experiencing the demands of Catholic charity in Denver.
Catholic Leadership Formation
Leadership is who you are, not what you do.
Your faith and character are the foundation upon which your gifts and skills find their strongest footing. Our formation program is based upon five building blocks which are, in order of importance:
- Faith
- Character
- Vocation
- Gifts
- Skills
Program Activities
You begin with the fall semester Vision Retreat and continue with weekly leadership and formation meetings throughout the academic year. In between you will lead and help coordinate Catholic-related student life programs. You will also interact with business and Church leaders, and inspiring St. Thomas alumni.
Spring Institute
This program capstone is an opportunity to examine the concrete, practical implications of Catholic leadership. Past Institutes include studying the principles of Christian culture in France, considering a Catholic's duties toward society in Washington D.C., exploring Latino and Hispanic Catholic culture in Peru, and experiencing the demands of Catholic charity in Denver.
Clarity of conviction and strength of character are more important in leadership than any talent or gift or skill or technical training a person may possess.

Leadership Interns in Denver
Not So Different
Leadership Interns share personal reflections on the Denver Spring Institute.
Contact Information
For more information about Leadership Interns, please contact our Coordinator and Program Chaplain, Fr. Austin Litke, OP.