A Longitudinal Assessment of Leadership Development at CSB/SJU
Abstract
Fueled by the notion that leadership can be learned, institutions of higher learning have been called upon to provide effective curricular and co-curricular leadership development programs. However, leadership development has been shown to extend beyond formal programs. Leadership development has been associated with a variety of college student life experiences such as involvement in clubs and organizations, community service, positional leadership roles, and participation in intramural and intercollegiate athletics. Demographic variables such as gender and cultural background have been associated with leadership development. The purpose of this study was to 1) examine the effectiveness of the Inspiring Leaders Certificate Program in bringing about desired changes in students' leadership attitudes and beliefs during their four years at CSB/SJU and 2) to examine changes in students' leadership attitudes and beliefs relative to gender, culture, and a variety of other college student life experiences. The results of this study are examined in relation to established theories and models of leadership development, including the Leadership Identity Development theory and the ecological leadership model.