Kaylyn Woods, vice president of leadership development for the National Student Council, proudly represented student leaders from across the nation during an October visit to the White House. PHOTO COURTESY OF NASSP

In its first year as a rebranded program, the National Association of Student Councils is giving student leaders a strong national voice, especially through its 32-member National Student Council (NSC). NSC leaders have met with staff from the White House and other federal agencies, including participating in a listening session on former President Biden’s executive order on gun violence prevention. They have also worked with NASSP leaders and staff to make sure students’ views are included in the association’s various initiatives.

The NSC includes 10 nationally elected leaders and 22 students representing states across the country. They meet monthly and take information from those meetings back to their states so it can benefit student councils at
all levels.

Discussion at a recent meeting centered around selecting a national service project for student councils across the country to work on in 2025. The project’s broad umbrella will be school and community wellness, with a focus on food insecurity, homelessness, mental health, and physical health.

The NSC’s service committee had some great discussions, says Ann Postlewaite, NASSP’s director of student program operations. “They didn’t want to focus just on one specific issue, they wanted to take a broader look at wellness and the needs in their schools and communities. They also wanted it to be something that every school can participate in.” She adds that one possible goal is to have a national month of service in April, which would coincide with National Student Leadership Month.

Another new initiative, taking place this month, will be the first-ever National Student Council Advocacy Summit. NSC officers and state representatives will come to Washington, D.C., for advocacy training and for meetings with members of Congress and administration officials on key issues affecting students.

The summit will take place at the same time as the National School Leaders Advocacy Conference, also in Washington, D.C. Some of the same issues will likely be discussed as students and school leaders meet with lawmakers, but the NSC will create its own policy platform focused on student concerns. In addition, Postlewaite says, the students will be learning more about the advocacy process from the school and district level to the state and national level.

Interested in elevating student voice in your school and beyond? Learn more at natstuco.org and have your school join NASC.