Student body vice president grows as a leader through student government work and experiential learning opportunities
‘What leadership means to me is having the honor and responsibility of representing something bigger than yourself’
Student body vice president grows as a leader through student government work and experiential learning opportunities
Video by Zach Burnett and Cameron Johnson
When considering colleges, Kirsten Osteboe ’26, a Diplomacy and Global Politics major, knew she didn’t want to be in a busy urban environment. So, after touring Miami University’s campus with her mom, she simply recognized it was the place for her.
“I got out of my tour, and I looked at my mom, and we said, ‘There's nowhere else.’ You kind of just come to campus, and you can't see yourself anywhere else,” Osteboe said. “You really fall for that environment and the promises it holds — and everything's been true since. So, I'm happy.”
Originally a Political Science major, Osteboe quickly learned she preferred the international relations aspect of politics, so she switched to Diplomacy and Global Politics. “I think it's really interesting because you get to look at so many different aspects of how the world works, and it expands your worldview,” she said.
When switching majors and considering her options, Osteboe really appreciated the availability and support of her professors and advisors. She gave a shoutout to her new advisor, Ann Wainscott, associate professor of Political Science: “She is the best,” Osteboe said.
Contributing in student government, study abroad, and research opportunities
Since her first year at Miami, Osteboe has been involved in Associated Student Government (ASG) — eventually being elected as student body vice president in spring 2025 along with her campaign running mate, Daniel Martin. She said, “My main interest when participating in the Associated Student Government is getting to be involved in government and civic engagement, which is a personal interest of mine. But also, it's a very cool thing to be a part of when it's a student government made up entirely of students for students.”
Through her role in ASG, Osteboe aims to keep students informed of what’s happening on campus and connect them to helpful resources for career preparation, academics, wellness and mental health, and more. “My favorite thing about my position right now is getting to interact with the students and also the administrators. I'm getting to see kind of a behind-the-scenes look at higher education that I haven't gotten to experience before. And it's really gratifying to be able to have a seat at those tables and speak on behalf of students,” she said.
During her time at Miami, Osteboe has gotten the opportunity to study abroad and conduct research, helping her to explore career options after graduation. She participated in the Miami University Dolibois European Center (MUDEC) program in Luxembourg, describing it as a challenging yet most gratifying experience. She said, “I think I came out of that semester more grown than I had in my first two years of college. It really forces you to look at adulthood in a different way and look at your independence in a different way, outside of the classroom.”
While in Luxembourg in summer 2025, Osteboe participated in the Undergraduate Summer Scholars (USS) program — a 10-week program offering research experience for undergraduate students at Miami — along with her mentor, John Forren, interim chair and associate professor of Justice and Community Studies. Her research project focused on creating a historical narrative of Luxembourg’s role in World War II.
She said her biggest lesson from her study abroad and research experience is that she can still see the good happening in the world. “There's still people that care about the lessons of history; there's still people that want to make change and want to improve life for people, even though they might not be getting the major headlines,” Osteboe said. “And I think that's just a really important piece that I try to remember every day.”
Harnessing leadership skills
Recognizing the value of people and community, Osteboe said her favorite part about Miami is the people. “It's such a welcoming environment, and it's just such a special thing that there's so much involvement on campus — so many student organizations, so many ways to get involved.” She continued, “And then there's also the area in civic engagement that people are so passionate about certain issues. And that advocacy, I think, gives me hope for future leaders.”
Coming in as a first-year student, Osteboe described herself as shy and anxious. Now, though, she’s developed as a leader and is comfortable with public speaking, being surrounded by administrators, and making a strong statement. She said, “I think that if I hadn't come to Miami, those hard skills really wouldn't have developed. And I just wouldn't have had the chances that I had that really made me into a leader now, which included participating in a debate, being a part of Student Senate, being a part of student organizations, going abroad.”
“What leadership means to me is having the honor and responsibility of representing something bigger than yourself,” Osteboe said. “Oftentimes, as a leader, you have the opportunity to sit at tables that most students don't have seats at, and that means making sure and ensuring that you're representing them but also putting your own personal views aside to really represent the consensus of the student body, the concerns of the student body.”
Preparing for the future
After graduating from Miami, Osteboe has her sights set on attending law school — she’s currently studying for the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) — aiming for a future in diplomacy. She credits the Sue J. Henry Center for Pre-Law Education for helping to advance her education, describing it as “an amazing resource.” She’s also grateful to have such great Miami alumni connections available to her — and the confidence and skills to reach out to that network.
“The alumni network, I think, at Miami is so special and so strong that really, anywhere you go, you can reach out to someone about a potential job opportunity or an internship opportunity; and that confidence to just cold call somebody, I think, is something that Miami makes sure you learn and can really become comfortable with,” she said. “I think that Miami has done wonders in making me feel like any career path I choose, there will be something down there for me.”
“Because of Miami, I believe in myself,” Osteboe said.
