CAS-L: College of Arts and Sciences Leaders
Be Yourself. Be A Leader.
Program Overview
You don't have to wait until after graduation to be a leader. Get started now with CAS-L!
Decide for yourself how your unique strengths and values shape you into a leader, then design your own service project to gain hands-on experience giving back to your community. Learn from university faculty and staff, from your peers, and from your own self-reflections.
Be a part of something bigger. Discover more about yourself. Grow into a stronger, more ethical leader.
Students who complete the program will also receive a CAS-L t-shirt and graduation cord!
Applications are due Friday, October 23.
Applicant FAQ
What is CAS-L?
CAS-L is a leadership program developed to help CAS students become exactly the leaders they set out to be. Through readings, group discussions, and self assessments, participants will first be challenged to determine who they are as leaders; then, they’ll be given the opportunity to test those theories in the real world through hands-on community service projects.
What does the program entail?
CAS-L participants will attend hour-long meetings every other week during the spring semester, complete at least 24 hours of community service at one of our partner service sites, write short reflection papers, and create a poster presentation about their service experience.
When and where are the meetings?
Meetings will be held every other Wednesday evening in 215 Life Sciences East, from 5:30 to 6:30, January 20 to April 28.
What will we do at the meetings?
When we meet, we will:
- discuss theories pertaining to leadership, ethics, and community
- share our experiences at our respective service sites as they progress and troubleshoot any challenges we encounter
- learn to identify our individual values and strengths and how those factors shape who we are as leaders
When and where are community service hours completed?
In order to offer maximum flexibility, all service hours will be completed on the student’s own time. Each participant will select one of our community partners for their service project. Our list of community partners includes organizations such as Our Daily Bread and the Stillwater Humane Society.
Who is eligible to apply?
Applicants must be…
- 18 or older
- currently enrolled full-time and pursuing a CAS
major at the Stillwater campus - planning to be enrolled as above during the
spring 2027 semester - in good academic standing
- available to attend biweekly meetings
- willing to complete at least 24 hours of
community service - able to arrange transportation to and from
service sites
What is involved in the application process?
To Apply:
- submit online application form by Friday,
October 23 - secure recommendation from a member of OSU
faculty or staff - complete interview
- sign commitment form
Who should I ask to recommend me?
Your recommender must be a member of OSU faculty or staff. For example, you might ask an instructor, academic advisor, or club advisor; what’s important is that this person can speak to your character. Please ask your recommender before submitting their information on the application form.
How do CAS-L recommendations work?
On the CAS-L application form, you will be asked to submit the full name and OSU email address of one person who can recommend you for the program. CAS-L administrators will contact your recommender by email to send them a brief recommendation form. Your recommender will complete this form electronically.
What can I expect to gain from this experience?
CAS-L students will make new friends, give back to their community, learn more about themselves, and grow into stronger, more ethical leaders. They will also receive a CAS-L t-shirt and graduation cord.