Student Leadership

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The Camp Cowboy experience is coordinated by students for students. Four student directors and a team of coordinating council leaders work together to plan activities to help new OSU students learn what means to be a Cowboy and grow their sense of orange pride, while making new friends before classes begin.

 

Join the Leadership Team

The 2026 Camp Cowboy Leadership Team application is currently open! Applications are due Aug. 10, 2025. 

 

Camp Cowboy Leadership Selection Timeline:

• • Application opens - Early July
  • Application deadline - Aug. 10
  • Candidate interviews - Mid-August
  • Camp Cowboy Leadership Team announced - By Sept. 1

Additional position requirements and expectations are detailed on the application within CampusLink.

 

For further information about becoming a member of the Camp Cowboy leadership team, please email us at campcowboy@okstate.edu.

 

Camp Leadership Team FAQs 

• What are the minimum requirements to apply for a position on the Camp Cowboy Leadership Team?

  To serve as a Camp Cowboy Student Director, you must:

  • Have served previously as a Camp Cowboy student director, small group leader and/or wrangler.
  • Have a minimum 2.75 cumulative college GPA, and be in good standing
  • Not plan to enroll in classes for Summer 2026, unless approved by the Camp Cowboy Advisor

  To serve on the Camp Cowboy Coordinating Council, you must:

  • Have attended Camp Cowboy
  • Minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA, and be in good standing

  All Camp Cowboy Leadership Team members must be enrolled in classes at OSU for Fall 2025 and maintain enrollment in good academic standing for Spring 2026 and Fall 2026.

• What is the commitment level for Student Directors during the fall and spring semesters?

  Camp Cowboy Student Directors commit to manage and follow through with the responsibilities outlined of their specific student director role and serve as a supportive teammates for other Camp Cowboy directors, leaders and staff.

   

  Student Directors schedule approximately five weekly in-office hours at the Camp Cowboy desk in Campus Life during the fall semester and ten weekly in-office hours during the spring semester. Directors also participate in a full-day teambuilding and planning retreat during the fall semester, lead bi-weekly meetings of their respective Coordinating Council Committees throughout the spring semester, and help facilitate three camp staff trainings and a camp rehearsal in the spring.

• What is the commitment level for Coordinating Council Leaders during the fall and spring semesters?
  Camp Cowboy Coordinating Council Leaders commit to actively contributing to committee work for one of the four camp planning committees - the Marketing and Communications Committee, the Programming Committee, the Logistics Committee, or the Internal and External Engagement Committee. This commitment includes participating in a teambuilding and planning retreat during the fall semester, attending bi-weekly committee meetings throughout the spring semester, and participating in the three camp staff trainings and camp rehearsal during spring.
• Are Camp Cowboy Leadership Team positions paid?

  Camp Cowboy Student Directors do receive a $4,000 stipend for their service. Full summer housing is also available for Student Directors, if needed.

   

  Coordinating Council Leaders are not paid for their leadership service.

   

  Additional compensation and professional development opportunities are under development for Camp Cowboy leadership and staff. Details will be made available as developments materialize.

 

Meet Our 2025 Student Directors

• Brysun Paddock, Co-Director of Programming and Logistics
  

  • Year & Major: Junior, Sociology: Pre-Law
  • Hometown: Clarksville, TN
  • Brysun's Thoughts about Camp: "The people are great and Camp Cowboy is a great way to get students involved before they are even taking classes on campus. I'm excited this year to be developing my leadership and teamwork skills but also to enhance the experience that new students have when beginning at OSU."
• Emani Panchal, Director of Marketing and Communications
  

  • Year & Major: Sophomore, Psychology
  • Hometown: Enid, OK
  • Emani's Thoughts about Camp: "I think the most enjoyable aspect of Camp Cowboy for me was getting to meet current student leaders and getting to hear about how they stay involved on campus. As someone who was extremely introverted when attending camp, I loved when the camp leaders took the time to socialize with me, even if it was a simple conversation. I hope to be the reason that someone feels like they can take a moment to step out of their bubble and share something about themselves."
• Rhylen Schmidt, Director of Internal and External Engagement
  

  • Year & Major: Sophomore, Aerospace Administration and Operations: Professional Pilot
  • Hometown: Galva, KS
  • Rhylen's Thoughts about Camp: "I enjoy meeting people from all walks of life and hearing their stories, struggles and excitement. Connection is an essential part of feeling at home, and I hope that with the connections I build with campers and fellow staff, I can help Oklahoma State University feel like a home to those who selected this fantastic university as their alma mater."
• Haylie Williamson, Co-Director of Programming and Logistics
  

  • Year & Major: Junior, Management Information Systems
  • Hometown: Stillwater, OK
  • Haylie's Thoughts about Camp: "I love meeting new first-year students, learning about them, and seeing them become more confident in their decision to attend Oklahoma State throughout camp. Helping students feel comfortable on campus, answering questions they may be too afraid to ask others, and leading students to develop their sense of orange pride, no matter where they came from, makes me happy."