Empowering students to make positive change in their schools and communities.

About us

The Ohio Association of Student Leaders (OASL) is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping Ohio’s middle and high school students identify and develop their leadership capacity to make positive change in their schools and communities.

Over 70 years of working with students in Ohio

Created by students, teachers, and administrators back in 1953, we continue to design and facilitate our high-impact educational experiences specifically for the developmental needs of youth leaders in partnership with educators and schools across the state.

Year Round Programs

Utilizing the skills and talents of professional educators and student facilitators from diverse schools and communities, we host a variety of leadership programs throughout the calendar year.

  • OASL's signature program is our Summer Workshop. These 5-day, 4-night programs are offered for both Middle Level (middle school) students and Senior High (high school) students. Participants join us on a university or college campus for a leadership "summer camp" experience, complete with large and small group experiential learning sessions, fun and games, personal reflection opportunities, and friendships that will last a lifetime. Participants often describe OASL summer workshop as the best week of their summer, and one that helps them better navigate life at school, at home, and in their communities. Alumni often credit their summer workshop experiences as pivotal in their young adult development and relevant far beyond their time as participants.

    Visit Link to learn more!

  • Our overnight weekend retreats provide students with the chance to dive deeply into a particular leadership theme while enjoying outdoor activities in both large and small group settings. Retreats are typically offered in the fall and winter, with fun and games to match the season (and weather!). We partner with educational camps across Ohio to host our programs in cabins and/or retreat centers.

  • OASL brings one-day leadership programs to various regions across the state throughout the school year. At the beginning of the fall, we host a one-day program at either Cedar Point (Sandusky) or King's Island (Cincinnati), where students work together to complete fun leadership challenges in the morning, then explore the amusement park together in the afternoon. We also offer one-day workshops specifically designed for middle school student leaders featuring keynote speakers and small group activities. OASL is constantly developing new one-day programs to diversify our offerings and better meet the needs of our member schools.

  • OASL State Conference is hosted each year by a selected Ohio middle school or high school. The entire local community comes together to welcome students and advisors from OASL member schools for a 3-day, 2-night program that includes both leadership development sessions and OASL business meetings. Features of State Conference include peer-led mini workshops, election of our Executive Board representatives, keynote speakers, and our annual school and student awards ceremony.

  • Visit this link to access OASL member partnerships and supporters. These organizations offer further opportunities for our students!

We believe that leadership is a process between diverse individuals contributing their best to help a group, organization, or community thrive.

If we want to make real change, we need to develop the leadership capacity in everyone, not just those with access to formal positions. OASL is an organization for anyone who wants to contribute to the leadership process and be an advocate and agent for change.​ ​

Our experiential learning curriculum focuses on both personal and group development, including topics such as group dynamics, diversity and inclusion, self-esteem, authenticity, visioning and goal setting, organizational skills, collaboration, and community-building.

We are proud to have an incredible team of educators, community members, and students who give of their time and talent to keep the organization thriving.

  • OASL's administrative staff include the Executive Director, Senior High Director, and Middle Level Co-Directors. As career educators, these individuals are responsible for the daily operations of the organization and for the design and delivery of our student leadership programs. The organization is also supported by a volunteer Social Media & Communications Coordinator and Website Administrator.

  • We have cultivated an expert volunteer team of adult coordinators and high school/college students to facilitate OASL's Student Leadership Programs. Our staff members engage in year-round training on program curriculum, facilitation skills, group development, leadership models and approaches, and diversity and inclusion. We are proud of our strong peer education model that sits at the heart of our success in developing student leadership capacity and efficacy.

  • The OASL Executive Board includes both elected and appointed representatives responsible for overall governance and organizational strategy. Students and student organization advisors from member schools are eligible for elected positions on the board. Additional community members and alumni may also be appointed for their particular subject-matter expertise that fills an identified organizational need. The OASL Executive Director and Program Directors serve as non-voting members of the Executive Board.

    ML State Representative – TBD

    ML State Representative – TBD

    SH State Representative – Nabiha Mohamud

    SH State Representative – Meredith Walsh

    SH State President – Abby Wells

    Advisor Representative – Heather Baker

    Advisor Representative – Robbi McCarty

    Advisor Representative – TBD

    Adult Representative – Niro Wimalasena

    Adult Representative – TBD

Meet the Team

  • Connie Miley

    Executive Director
    connie.miley@oasl-oh.org

    Connie has been committed to and invested in student leadership development throughout her professional career, including 19 years as a Middle School Student Council Advisor and 25 years directing Middle Level programs for OASL She currently serves as Director of Programming for The iBELIEVE Foundation and is Executive Director for OASL.

  • Anthony Paletta

    Director of Advancement & Middle Level Co-Director
    anthony.paletta@oasl-oh.org

    As an alumni of OASL, Anthony has been involved with the organization since middle school. Anthony has served a leadership role in OASL since 2017. He currently works on building new partnerships, recruiting new schools, and growing OASL to reach as many students in Ohio as possible. Anthony is a full time social studies teacher at New Albany High School and is a cross country and tennis coach. Anthony’s favorite part of OASL is the the connections and life long skills students obtain to make a positive impact in their schools and communities.

  • Kaitlin O'Hara

    Senior High Director
    kaitlin.ohara@oasl-oh.org

    Kaitlin has been serving as OASL's Senior High Director since 2014. Previously, she volunteered as an adult staff member at OASL events after she participated as a student and volunteer staff member during her middle school and high school years. Kaitlin is a full time school counselor at Grove City High School in Grove City, Ohio. Kaitlin's favorite part of OASL is watching students grow and learn together, and as a result seeing them build more confident versions of their authentic selves.

  • Sydney Cassel

    Social Media and Creative Coordinator

    sydney.cassel@oasl-oh.org

    Sydney is an alumni of OASL and graduated from Medina High School. Sydney is currently studying Molecular Genetics at The Ohio State University. Her favorite thing about OASL is the life long friendships and the constant inspiration and motivation the organization provides.

  • Krysten Bonacci

    Middle Level Co-Director
    krysten.bonacci@oasl-oh.org

Unlock the leader inside you today!