At the O’Neill School, learning goes beyond the classroom. For Michaela Hylton, BSPA’22, the O’Neill Leadership Program (OLP) was where everything clicked.
The competitive program connects students with real-world leadership opportunities in the community, pairing them with mission-driven organizations and giving them the tools to lead. For Hylton, OLP wasn’t just a resume-builder—it was the most transformative part of her undergraduate experience.
“More than any other piece of my education, this program showed me how to navigate real life challenges in the workplace and beyond.”
Hylton was placed with Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of South Central Indiana, a nonprofit she already knew well. She’d been matched with a mentor herself a decade earlier–an experience that left a lasting impact.
“Ten years ago, I was matched with a mentor of my own. Her presence in my life widened my view of the world and changed my life in ways I can’t even put to words.”
Returning to the organization as an OLP intern brought everything full circle. Hylton got hands-on experience helping lead community programming and supporting youth mentorship efforts.
“I loved having a hand in the programming that brought lifechanging mentorship to kids in the community. I knew I wanted to serve my community, and my BBBS internship showed me just how passionate I am about providing 1:1 mentorship opportunity to young people.”
Hylton joined the program during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, which brought plenty of uncertainty. She credits the structure and support of OLP with helping her navigate the professional world during a time when everything felt unstable.
“In-person interactions were limited, everything was changing constantly, and it got really tough at times. The structure and support of the O’Neill Leadership Program helped me stay grounded and grow through it.”
Today, Hylton is starting her career at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana in a full-time role as their Corporate Giving and Events Coordinator. For her, it’s not just a job—it’s a dream that began with a mentor and was made possible through OLP.
“As a kid, I looked up to people in positions like mine and dreamt of being able to provide the experience to others. Now, I’m most excited to be able to contribute to the 1:1 mentorship of youth in my community.”
Her advice to students considering the O’Neill Leadership Program is simple but meaningful. Hylton says the most valuable part of the experience wasn’t just the professional development or resume boost. It was the people she met and the relationships she built along the way.
“Make connections. Deeper than networking, connecting with the people around you will ultimately be the best investment you can make in life. Through OLP, you’ll be in the perfect position to make those lasting connections.”
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