Information About the Institute for Participants: 

 What are the dates of the Oelschlager Summer Leadership Institute, and where does it take place?

OSLI 2013 will have one (1) session for 48 participants. The session will be from June 21 - 27, 2013. Most of the Institute takes place on The University of Akron campus. When the Institute goes off site for activities, the Institute coordinates all travel.

Who is eligible to participate?  

High school students, nominated by their guidance counselor, who have completed their junior years in the Ohio counties of Cuyahoga, Medina, Portage, Stark, Summit, and Wayne as well as some students in the Stahlstown, Pennsylvania area are eligible to participate. Participants must have a high school grade point average of less than 3.0 (based on a 4.0 scale). Students must: (1) demonstrate significant involvement in leadership and/or service and (2) be recognized as having future potential for leadership and scholastic achievement.

How are Institute participants selected?  

High school guidance counselors employed in all the eligible counties and communities are invited to nominate students from their high schools. Nomination packets will be mailed in the early part of spring semester by Department of Residence Life & Housing. Each high school may nominate up to four students. Nominees must be students who are currently juniors in high school. The Institute staff will select 24 females and 24 males to participate in each of the Institutes. Guidance counselors will be asked to identify the student's strengths and weaknesses as a leader, why they feel their student is underutilizing his/her academic potential, and what they hope their student will gain by attending the Oelschlager Summer Leadership Institute. Student nominees will be contacted by the guidance counselors and instructed to complete the student application. 

Typically, guidance counselors receive nomination packets during the early part of the spring semester, and nominee applications and reference forms are submitted to the University by the date indicated on the nomination packet. 

A committee of University of Akron administrators and staff reviews all nominations. All nominees are notified of the results by mid March.

What does it cost to participate in the Institute?  

There is no cost to attend OSLI. The Institute covers the cost of housing, sheets, towels, meals, curriculum materials, and transportation during the Institute and admission to the special events. The students will live on campus in a residence hall owned and staffed by the University. The only cost incurred by the students might be incidentals, such as snacks and personal hygiene products. 

What do students do during the Institute?  

The Oelschlager Summer Leadership Institute is designed to motivate a group of high school students to prepare themselves to take full advantage of a college education. By virtue of the Oelschlager endowment, the Institute goals are accomplished through experiential learning. National leadership speakers will help show participants the importance of leadership, civic engagement, and academics. Team and group development will be accomplished through activities such as a low-ropes course at YMCA's Camp Y-Noah. Active presentations in academics and the importance of education will be demonstrated through speakers, activities, and group experiences. These are just a few examples of the types of innovative and fun activities that are utilized in the Institute curriculum.

The Institute will enhance the potential for collegiate academic success by: 

·         Assisting students in assessing and improving learning skills such as time management, critical thinking, test-taking, and learning styles

·         Helping students understand the process of career decision-making

·         Supplying opportunities to interact with University staff and student leaders, and

·         Introducing students to the programs and resources available on campuses such as The University of Akron.

Students will enhance their leadership and community service skills by: 

·         Using simulated and actual experiences from national speakers and University staff to explore the dynamics of leadership and service, and

·         Interacting with current student leaders at The University of Akron to experience out-of-class leading and learning environment on college campuses.

Application available for download below:

2013 OSLI High School Guidance Counselor Nomination Packet

High school students nominated by their guidance counselor who have completed their junior years in the Ohio counties of Cuyahoga, Medina, Portage, Stark, Summit, and Wayne as well as some students in the Stahlstown, Pennsylvania area are eligible to participate. Participants must have a high school grade point average of less than 3.0 (based on a 4.0 scale). Students must: (1) demonstrate significant involvement in leadership and/or service and (2) be recognized as having future potential for leadership and scholastic achievement.

For more information, contact Aysen Ulupinar-Butzer or Brandon Mikulski at 330.972.5288 or OSLIUAkron@gmail.com. 

2013 OSLI Institute Directors:

Aysen Ulupinar-Butzer, Residence Life and Housing
Brandon Mikulski, Residence Life and Housing