History

Ohio Leadership Institute, Inc. was established as non-profit 501(c)(3) organization in 1992. Before that time two separate programs were established in 1982 for students in grades 6-8. These programs were Ohio Leadership Training Camp (OhioLTC) and the Ohio Model United Nations (OMUN) program. In 1992 the two programs were placed under the wings of the Ohio Leadership Institute and expanded to schools throughout the state of Ohio.

Both programs were founded by John E. Lester, an educator with degrees in comprehensive social studies, gifted education and school administration. These programs were established for students in the Gallipolis City School District in Gallipolis, Ohio, a city on the Ohio River in Southeastern Ohio during the 1981-1982 school year.

After successful programs during the first two years, additional school districts participated in the programs. After five years the programs included students from numerous school districts in Southeastern and Southern Ohio. As the programs grew in numbers, additional schools across the state of Ohio became interested in the focus of leadership development and global education.

Ohio Leadership Training Camp (OhioLTC) was established to allow students to focus on leadership development in a summer residential setting. Campers were exposed to leadership skills, activities and motivation to use these leadership skills. The middle school leadership camp soon expanded to elementary camps and high school camps. Today students in grades 2-12 from across the state of Ohio and neighboring states in the Midwest participate in the summer residential leadership camps.

OhioLTC is currently Ohio’s largest summer residential leadership program for students in grades 2-12

Ohio Model United Nations (OMUN) was established as a middle school program to allow students in grades 6-8 to learn, not only about the role of the United Nations, but to become familiar with other cultures and peoples throughout the world. In order to explore other cultures, students assume the roles of ambassadors from other nations and conduct research in order to represent these nations in a weekend simulation of the United Nations.

The OMUN program expanded as additional schools attended to include grades 9-12. Students in grades 6-8 attend Jr. OMUN held annually and students in grades 9-12 attend the annual Sr. OMUN session. During the 2007-2008 school year, the OMUN program was attended by over 3000 students from across the state of Ohio and numerous other states including Michigan, Kentucky, Arkansas, New York and Indiana.

The OMUN program is currently Ohio’s largest global education program for students in grades 6-12.