Welcome to the OSLE!

Are you looking to get more involved on campus? Do you want to make an impact here at Hofstra? At the Hofstra Office of Student Leadership and Engagement (OSLE) it is our job to see that each and every student gets the most out of their college experience.

Every student can be a leader and has something unique to bring to the university. There are a variety of conferences, lectures, workshops, cultural programs, seminars, concerts, dance parties and socials that take place at Hofstra each semester. In addition, more than 100 clubs and organizations on campus.

Meet The Staff

Nestor Melendez - Assistant Dean of Students and Director for Student Leadership and Engagement

Karl Koeppel -Associate Director, Student Leadership and Engagement

Denise DeGennaro -Assistant Director, Student Leadership and Engagement

Nicole Thomas -Assistant Director, Student Leadership and Engagement

Stan Cherian - Director of Orientation / Associate Director for Student Leadership and Engagement

Sara Diem - Assistant Director, Student Leadership and Engagement

Mary A. Gale – Senior Assistant To the Assistant Dean and Director , Student Leadership and Engagement

Colleen M. Niemczyk - Senior Assistant To the Associate Director, 

Student Leadership and Engagement

Remington "Chad" Freeman - Assistant Director, Intercultural Engagement & Inclusion 

(LGBTQ + Affairs)

What does it mean to be a leader?

The OSLE believes that there are many ways to become a leader. OSLE administrators are available to help you figure out how you can best use your skills and talents to make this university the best it can be.

I am a new student at Hofstra looking to get involved. Where do I start?

Excellent question! For new students, the OSLE is great place to figure out how to become involved.

Students are encouraged to contact Karl Koeppel, Associate Director, Student Leadership and Engagement at Karl.W.Koeppel@hofstra.edu. Karl can sit down with you and help find the student organization the will best fit your interests and talents.

What if there are no clubs or organizations that I am interested in?

The OSLE understands that every student has a wide variety of interests. If you feel that there are no clubs or organizations that best fit your needs, the OSLE will work with you and get a process in place to start your new student organization.

What can the OSLE provide for me as a student to enrich my experience at Hofstra?

Not only does the OSLE oversee all of the official clubs and organization on campus (except for club sports). They also provide a wide variety of leadership programming including:

• Student leadership summits such as the blue and gold leadership summit (blue for first and second year students in the spring and gold where students are paired with staff or faculty mentor). The summits feature different leadership topics wide from presenters working at the university.
• If you are looking for a shorter time commitment, the OSLE presents leadership summits off campus for new student leaders.
• For seniors at Hofstra, the OSLE provides senior seminars.
• Students may also participate in community service programming, including alternative spring breaks and “staycation.” 
• Educational programming.
• Substance abuse programming.
• New student orientation and welcome week for incoming freshmen.