The First Ring Student Leadership Institute (FRSLI) transforms how students participate in educational decision-making. This innovative program empowers high school sophomores and juniors to identify, research, and solve critical issues affecting their educational experience. Through direct collaboration with superintendents and education leaders, students become active architects of positive change in their schools and communities.

The program operates on the Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR) framework, which recognizes students as experts in their own educational experiences. This approach emphasizes meaningful student-adult collaboration, promotes evidence-based problem-solving, and develops crucial leadership and research skills while cultivating real-world change through student advocacy.

During their first year, sophomore participants focus on creating change at the school level. Working in collaborative teams, they investigate issues affecting their school community and develop practical, implementable solutions. Throughout the year, they learn valuable research, presentation, and advocacy skills from experts in the field. The program culminates in students presenting their recommendations directly to principals and superintendents.

Junior participants in their second year elevate their involvement to address broader educational challenges. These advanced students engage in collective research on state-wide educational issues, deepen their understanding of youth activism and social change, and get the chance to present their research to state-level decision makers. They also serve as mentors to first-year participants, sharing their experience and insights to strengthen the program's impact. Students have the opportunity to continue for a third year as seniors, further developing their leadership skills and contributing to state-level research initiatives.

FRSLI's impact spans a wide range of critical educational issues. Past participants have successfully addressed mental healthcare accessibility, school culture improvement, life skills curriculum development, academic achievement, student engagement, school safety, and post-graduation preparation. Their work has led to tangible changes in school policies and programs.

The program structure consists of seven sessions throughout the academic year. These sessions bring together students from districts across Northeast & Central Ohio, fostering collaboration and the exchange of ideas. During select sessions, FRSLI students collaborate with participants from The Ohio State University Student Leadership Research Collaborative (OSU SLRC), further broadening their network and perspective. The program culminates in a year-end presentation where students showcase their research and achievements.

The First Ring Student Leadership Institute empowers students to solve real educational challenges, developing their leadership skills through hands-on experience while creating meaningful change in their school communities.