TO LEAD OR NOT TO LEAD?

JEREMY CARTER & ADAM WHITE

THAT IS THE QUESTION

MIAMI UNIVERSITY

WHAT SHALL WE LEARN? (LEARNING OUTCOMES)

Understand the motivating factors behind student s decisions to NOT participate in official leadership roles within their respected organizations Recognize how students view leadership, and specifically, leadership positions on campus Acknowledge the ways in which we, as student affairs professionals, can better meet the needs of these types of students

Identify practical strategies to assist with student s overall leadership development

WHY THIS TOPIC?

SAHE Leadership track
Both of us have an interest in student s leadership development

A gap in the literature

No literature could be found regarding this specific approach to understanding student s leadership experiences

We both have a narrow view of what defines student leaders

In higher education leaders are those who hold specific titles (VP, Director, Coordinator, etc.)

A chance for student s NOT involved in these leadership positions to speak their minds and offer insights

DEFINING LEADERSHIP
For the sake of this assignment , we defined leadership as:

A student who holds an official title and/or position within any organization on an university/college campus
This is NOT our personal view or definition of leadership! This definition allowed us to focus on a specific demographic of student

A great need exists to understand better the unique nature of college student leadership development as well as how the collegiate experience contributes to that process
(Dugan & Komives, 2007)

METHODOLOGY
Five 20-30 minute Interviews 5 open-ended questions Collected responses Cross-checked for themes Questions asked: 1) Do you consider yourself to be a student leader on this campus? Why or not not? 2) Do you see these leadership positions as positions of leadership? 3) Are these types of roles valuable for students to obtain? 4) Walk us through your thought process when determining whether or not you will attempt to participate in a leadership role within your organization(s) 5) What are the pros and cons of becoming an official leader within an organization?

PARTICIPANT DEMOGRAPHICS
Abby
Sophomore Xavier University Female

Justin
Junior Miami University Male

Brian
Senior Xavier University Male

Jordan
Senior Miami University Female

Cassie
Sophomore Xavier University Female

ABBY - XAVIER
Does not consider herself as a leader Does not see these leadership positions as positions of leadership within her organizations Time, is the eventual deciding factor that leads her to NOT participating in these roles/positions
Art student and projects take a lot of time

These roles are, good for the resume, helps portray if someone can be a good boss

The college experience is on learning, and only a few can take a job. If leadership was an important part of college then everyone would have to be a leader to have the full experience - Abby

BRIAN - XAVIER
Considers himself to be a leader on campus Not all students in leadership roles are student leaders
It depends Some people get the roles but don t do anything or they really do not care, they just use it to boost their resumes

When deciding to run for a position:

Depends on if I will be of value; if I will actually have the time to fulfill my duties adequately, and if I think I have a fair chance of winning

You can be a leader other ways. In the classroom, outside the classroom, etc. - Brian

CASSIE - XAVIER
Yes, I consider myself a leader on campus for wanting to make a difference, although I am not in a leadership position

Sees these leadership positions as positions of leadership

Students who fill these roles ARE leaders, because they are very dedicated to the club and making it the best it can be Does not involve herself in these roles because, too much stress and responsibility, since I am trying to focus on getting myself back on track with academics Experience in leadership positions is good for future careers
Looks good on resume

I consider any student wanting to make a difference and is active in their organization to be a leader in some sorts - Cassie

JUSTIN - MIAMI
Sees himself as a leader on campus
Because of my performance within the organization Sometimes you don t need an official position

Looks at students in these roles as leaders

We have to do what they tell us to do, they have the authority

These roles are valuable, depending on what organization, these roles can prepare you for what you are trying to do after college Did not involve himself in these roles because, felt that it would have been too much heading into the academic year
I only run for these positions if I can dedicate all of my time too it, but I wanted to be involved in a bunch of other things instead It s more about your presence and what you do during your time involved. Just because I don t hold a specific leadership position doesn t mean I can t be looked at as a leader from others - Justin

JORDAN - MIAMI
I am a leader, because I show up to thing that I don t necessarily have to These leadership roles are not positions of leadership, they are more of a job Not all students in these roles are leaders
The current officers do what is needed to do, but do not go above and beyond

There is value in participating in these roles

Shows responsibility and helps a person grow by helping them have a better understanding of the organization and its components

I didn t run for a position because I didn t have time and I didn t want the extra stress Leadership is about getting more people involved and putting the organization in a better situation than it was before - Jordan

THEMES UNCOVERED
Leadership positions are stressful Titles may not be as important as we originally thought
4 out of 5 students considered themselves to be leaders

These positions ARE positions of authority

Have final say in organizational decisions

Leadership positions are important for professional development

Feel, however, no need to take advantage of these roles Too much responsibility and time is required

Nice to have on resume or talk about in job interviews

Majors/Academics can determine level of involvement

Poor grades Intense major

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

Are we, as professionals, forcing students to become position holding leaders? How do we assist in students leadership development if students do not want to hold prominent roles within the organization? How are we as professionals enforcing the stigma of you are not a leader unless you hold a title? How can we alter this stereotype?
Is this a stigma at all?

What can we do differently in terms of working with student leaders based off the information gathered?

QUESTIONS?

THANK YOU!!! & HAVE A SAFE BREAK!