Coronavirus COVID-19 Updates: uc.edu/publichealth
Search By:
Through systematic cultivation of mindfulness, compassion, and value-aligned leadership ethics, this program empowers student leaders with the transformative skills necessary to promote self and social leadership in the service of personal and social care, healing, fairness, and well-being.
The Mindful and Compassionate Transformative Leadership Program is an innovative initiative designed for University of Cincinnati student leaders. Our mission is to empower emerging leaders by cultivating mindful self-leadership, compassionate communication, and community engagement. Through experiential learning, mentorship, and hands-on projects that drive social change, participants will develop practical and compassionate leadership skills. Additionally, to support their embodied knowledge, they will be funded to visit the Smithsonian African American Museum in Washington, DC as a cohort, integrating this unique learning opportunity into the program. With dedicated support—including mentorship and a $500 stipend—our program prepares students to create a lasting, transformative impact in their communities.
Trymaine Gaither, CMT-P, is a Certified Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Teacher and trained Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) instructor.
Meera Murthi, MS, PhD, is a licensed counseling and clinical psychologist in the State of Ohio and New York, and teaches mindfulness and compassion-based interventions at the Osher Center of Integrative Health at the University of Cincinnati’s College of Medicine, Department of Family and Community Medicine.
Trymaine Gaither, CMT-P
Trymaine Gaither, a Certified Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Teacher and trained Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) instructor. With extensive experience in anti-racism and mindfulness programming, Trymaine has earned certifications from the International Mindfulness Teachers Association and the UC San Diego Center for Mindful Self-Compassion.
Meera Murthi, MS, PhD
Dr. Meera Murthi is a licensed counseling and clinical psychologist in the State of Ohio and New York, and teaches mindfulness and compassion-based interventions at the Osher Center of Integrative Health at the University of Cincinnati’s College of Medicine, Department of Family and Community Medicine. She completed her PhD at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, internship at the University of Notre Dame, and a postdoctoral residency at Cornell University. Dr. Murthi has worked in university mental health practice at the University of Rochester, Xavier University, and University of Cincinnati and has taught and trained and supervised pre-doctoral interns, post-doctoral fellows and medical residents.
She trained in the Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction program at the University of Massachusetts Medical School and the Mindful Self-Compassion program at the University of California San Diego Medical School and is a qualified teacher of these programs. She has offered consultations and trainings, on systemic trauma and healing practices for academic and community based organizations in the US and India, including Cincinnati Public Schools, Free Store Food Bank, Asian Community Alliance, American Psychological Association Division 35 Justice and Joy Initiative, Brown University, University of Notre Dame, University of Cincinnati College of Nursing, University of Cincinnati Student Services Leadership, Vijay R. Sanghvi Foundation, and Center for Mindful Self Compassion. Currently she is engaged in programming around trauma education, systemic healing, and mindfulness and compassion based training at UC and in the local communities in Cincinnati. Her experiences and commitment to addressing unresolved and ongoing personal and social stress and trauma through equitable mindfulness make her an invaluable mentor for this program, as she brings both clinical expertise and compassion-centered teaching to foster personal and social healing and fairness.
Expand all
Collapse all
A $500 Stipend: Each selected participant will receive a $500 stipend to support their engagement in the program and their leadership development.
A Transformative Learning Experience: This program is an opportunity to develop leadership skills, build meaningful connections, and engage in community impact initiatives.
A Fully-Funded Trip to Washington, DC: As part of the cohort experience, participants will embark on a 3-day trip to the African American Museum in Washington, DC, offering a powerful, immersive learning experience that will deepen their understanding of history, leadership, and community transformation.
All University of Cincinnati undergraduate , graduate, and professional students pursuing academic and professional pathways in public service, education, health/medicine, law, research, and nonprofit sectors. 10-12 participants will be chosen for this cohort.
A selection committee consisting of program directors and one program faculty will evaluate all completed applications. A strong application will include information on your experiences, skills and learning that are aligned with the MCTL program; how MCTL leadership training program will support your study, projects, and benefit you. Your essay should address leadership goals that are geared towards making positive social change. Preference is given to applicants who:
Schedule and Dates: 2025-2026 Cohort
Program Costs:
Participants can expect a dynamic and supportive learning environment where they will engage in:
Interactive Workshops & Retreats – Hands-on leadership training, mindfulness, and personal development sessions.
Meaningful Community Engagement – Opportunities to apply leadership skills in real-world settings through guided projects.
Networking with Experts & Mentors – Access to experienced leaders, faculty, and guest speakers who will provide valuable insights and support.
Ongoing Peer Support – Build lasting relationships with like-minded student leaders in a collaborative cohort model.
A Personalized Learning Experience – One-on-one mentorship sessions to align program insights with individual leadership goals.
An Unforgettable Learning Trip – Travel with your cohort to Washington, DC for an immersive experience at the African American Museum, connecting history to modern leadership practices.
Students who are accepted and join the MCTL cohort are required to participate in all aspects of the program structure and offerings. The program offerings are designed to support students in their personal growth and to aid their academic progress in their current year of undergraduate/graduate work. Full attendance is required to enable students to maximize their learning of MCTL program content and to apply MCTL principles to envision community projects, and initiatives to enact positive social change.
This program empowers students to emerge as mindful community and social leaders who are equipped with tools to work across differences, build coalitions, and resolve conflicts in ways that foster community dialogue, engagement, healing, and transformation for collective action, social change and progress.
Through systematic cultivation of mindfulness, compassion, and value-aligned leadership ethics, this program empowers student leaders with the transformative skills necessary to promote self and social leadership in the service of personal and social care, healing, fairness, and well-being. Through the program's explicit emphasis on experiential and peer learning, influential and evidence based scholarship, speaker series, and impactful mentorship, participants will be supported as emergent leaders prepared to enact innovative, positive, and sustainable change in their communities and social spheres of influence. To support student’s embodied knowledge, they will be funded to access a learning opportunity as a cohort to visit the African American Museum in Washington DC to integrate learning in this program.
Complete this form and submit all required materials by July 1, 2025. Incomplete or late applications may not be considered.
We welcome and encourage applications from all students, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, or any other aspect of identity. Our commitment to equal access and opportunity is fundamental to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and transformative learning environment. Any questions about application and eligibility should be directed to Meera Murthi. Completed application review and acceptance decisions are determined by the selection committee comprising of project directors and one project faculty
Program Dates: October 2025 – June 2026Location: University of Cincinnati, Osher Center for Integrative Health Application Deadline: July 1st, 2025
Section 1: Applicant Information
Please complete all required fields.
Please provide thoughtful responses (150-300 words per question).
Section 3: Supporting Materials
To complete your application, please attach the following document:
This field is required
Section 4: Agreement & Signature
By submitting this application, I confirm that:
Incorrect value for the captcha image
Contact Meera Murthi: murthima@ucmail.uc.edu
Medical Sciences Building Suite 4358231 Albert Sabin WayPO Box 670582 Cincinnati, OH 45267-0582
Mail Location: 0582Phone: 513-558-2310Fax: 513-558-3266Email: osher.integtrative@uc.edu