The Effect of Undergraduate Extracurricular Involvement and Leadership Activities on Community Values of the Social Change Model

Abstract

<p>The purpose of this study was to explore the effects that undergraduate extracurricular involvement and leadership activities had on the community values component of the Social Change Model of Leadership Development. Senior students in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Iowa State University completed an online questionnaire about their extracurricular experiences. The Socially Responsible Leadership Scale (SRLS–R2) citizenship scale was used to assess leadership community values. Students who participated in more extracurricular clubs and organizations, students who reported spending more time per week involved in clubs and organizations, students who served as an officer, and females scored significantly higher on the SRLS–R2 citizenship scale. Students who participated in college–wide organizations, Greek organizations, university–wide organizations, and social/recreational organizations scored significantly higher on the SRSL– R2 citizenship scale than students who did not. Participation in major–related organizations, competitive/team based organizations, faith–based organizations, or community–based organizations did not provide significant results on the SRLS-R2 citizenship scale. These findings have implications for leadership development for all students, not just those in positional leadership roles. It is recommended that clubs and organizations revisit their purpose and associated activities to ensure they are aligned to meet espoused student leadership outcomes. It may be that not all clubs are focused on community values.</p>