Oelschlager Summer Leadership Institute Nomination Information

High school 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 the Institute director. Each high school may nominate up to three students. Nominees must be students who are currently juniors in high school. The Institute staff will select up to 48 high school participants for the Institute. School 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 school counselors and instructed to complete the student application. 

Typically, school counselors receive nomination packets during 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 late spring. Nominees will be reviewed as all materials are successfully submitted and will be notified on a rolling basis. 

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. 

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 team builders facilitated by the University's Student Recreation & Wellness Center.
Presentations and activities will also be lead by the Institute mentor staff sharing their personal academic, leadership, and involvement 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.