North Star Leadership Academy Experience & Gala
The North Star Leadership Academy Experience is a year-long leadership and professional development initiative at OSU Institute of Technology, designed to equip students with essential soft skills and career readiness. Through a series of engaging workshops, competitions, and networking mixers—culminating in the prestigious North Star Gala Awards Celebration—this program offers students the opportunity to showcase their talents, build confidence, and connect with industry partners.
This year, we are focusing on launching key cornerstone events including:
- Resume Workshop & Competition
- Interview Skills Workshop & Competition
- Public Speaking Showcase
- Business Etiquette Challenge
- Two Industry Mixers (Fall/Spring)
- The Year-End North Star Gala Awards Dinner
Our initiative is open to all students across campus. We’re partnering with faculty, student clubs, and Industry Advisory Committees across departments to co-sponsor and judge events—ensuring this is a campus-wide collaborative experience. With your support, we can build this pilot into a transformative legacy program.
Use of Funds:
- Funds will directly support:
- Catering & venue expenses for the Gala and Mixers
- Awards, plaques, and small scholarship stipends
- Marketing materials and event promotion
- Event supplies and logistics
Project Fundraising Goal:
$8,000
We aim to raise $8,000 to cover our pilot-year costs and build a foundation for expanding in future years.
$25
North Star Supporter
Donation Range: $25 to $99 Recognition: Your Name listed on event website/social media donor wall. Impact: Helps cover small event supplies and student resources.
$100
Guiding Light Donor
Range: $100 to $499 Recognition: Certificate of appreciation + recognition in event program. Impact: Supports student participation in leadership workshops.
$500
Polaris Partner
Donation Range: $500 to $999 Recognition: Recognition in event slideshow + program + OSUIT thank-you letter signed by student leaders. Impact: Funds leadership development sessions and guest speaker stipends.
$1,000
North Star Patron
Donation Range: $1,000 to $2,499 Recognition: Logo/name on printed materials, website, and signage at Gala. Impact: Provides scholarships for student leadership training and networking opportunities.
$2,500
Constellation Champion
Donation Range: $2,500 to $5,000 Recognition: Premier recognition at Gala (verbal acknowledgment, featured signage, program highlight). Impact: Covers major event costs (venue, meals, keynote speaker) and ensures student access to the full Leadership Experience.
$5,500
Galaxy Partner
Donation Range: $5,500+ Recognition: Premier headline recognition as a Presenting Sponsor of the North Star Leadership Experience & Gala. Featured logo placement on all event materials (program, signage, website, donor wall, social media). Verbal acknowledgment during opening and closing remarks at the Gala. Opportunity to have a corporate representative speak or present an award at the Gala. Reserved VIP seating for executives/guests at the Gala. Impact: Fully funds student participation for multiple cohorts in the North Star Leadership Academy. Provides scholarships for underrepresented students to attend leadership development events. Covers the cost of bringing in a nationally recognized keynote speaker. Ensures the Gala experience remains accessible to students by reducing overall ticket or participation costs. Creates a lasting legacy by establishing a named scholarship or award tied to leadership and student success.