Students learn more from their band experience than musical concepts. Many students learn leadership skills as a part of their time in band, but these skills are rarely an official part of the curriculum. Additonally, band directors must use leadership to successfully build and guide their program, but are rarely provided formal training in leadership theory and skills. I used transformational leadership (Bass & Riggio, 2006; Burns, 1978) as a framework to examine practices band directors use to learn leadership themselves and help students develop their own leadership. I utilized Deci and Ryan’s (2000) Self-Determination Theory (SDT) and autonomy supports (1995) to help identify director practices that were transformative in nature. Through the use of interviews with three band directors and ten students I examined how band directors learn leadership, how they use it, and how students in band understand the use of leadership by directors and themselves. I found that band directors typically learn these transformative skills through a variety of formal and informal situations through life starting as early as high school. Directors develop leadership skills through the presence of mentors and the use of critical self-reflection over the course of their careers. Directors create a culture of band that is extended to the student body and reinforced through student leadership and peer mentoring. Finally, managerial tasks can be used to help students develop leadership identities (Komives et al., 2005), develop leadership skills, and allow them to act as transformative figures themselves.

Leaders are generally viewed in a positive frame as having the ability to influence and motivate others (Tierney, 2005). They are frequently required to make choices in order to lead their organizations. Those choices are often influenced by the opinions of followers and public opinion in general (McIntosh, Cacciola, Clermont & Keniry, 2001). Understanding the opinion formation process, how leaders formulate opinions and how they make choices in leading their organizations is still at issue (Burns, 1978; Gardner, 1990). One of the goals of higher education is to create student leaders who are contributing members of society and who are able to generate informed opinions. The purpose of this study was to explore the influence of student-student interactions on change of opinion among student leaders (SLs) and non-student leaders (NSLs). This study compared differences between student leaders and non-student leaders, and sought to examine which types of discussions with students different from oneself, best predict change in opinion. Data from the 2004 College Student Experience Questionnaire (CSEQ) (Pace, 1984) were used in the study. The CSEQ asks respondents about their involvement with leadership experiences and the degree to which they have influenced others' opinions and been influenced by others' opinions. Participants also report how often they have become acquainted with or had discussions with other students who are different from themselves based on several characteristics. These characteristics referred to individuals who had different interests, philosophies of life or personal values, political opinions, religious beliefs, race or ethnic backgrounds, family backgrounds or were from different countries. Data were analyzed via logistic regression and t-tests. Findings revealed that discussions with other students who are different from oneself in regards to political values and country of origin lead to higher levels of opinion change. Opinion change, then, is influenced by specific types of discussions, and these discussions have an even greater influence on SLs than NSLs. In addition, highly involved SLs engage in discussions with others different from oneself significantly more often than less involved SLs for each of the seven types of discussions. / Ph. D.

The purpose of this study was to assess the self-perceptions of leadership skill development and attitudes of experienced collegiate sophomore student leaders who elected to take an undergraduate collegiate leadership course. Leadership attitude, for the purpose of this study, consisted of one's group or leader orientation. The five leadership skills studied were working in groups, positional leadership, communication, decision-making, and understanding self. A post-then methodology was utilized with self-reporting as the process by which data was collected following completion of an academic leadership course. The major findings of this study were as follows: After the semester course, there were no significant differences among sophomore student leaders regarding their attitude toward the construct leadership orientation and their attitude toward the construct group orientation. In addition, the sophomore student leaders who completed the academic leadership course displayed a self-perceived increase in their ability to work in groups, work in positions of leadership, communicate, make decisions, and in their awareness of self. No relationship was found between the self-reported attitudes on leader or group orientation of sophomore student leaders with the amount of high school leadership courses that were completed. No statistically significant relationship was found between the self-reported attitudes on group orientation of sophomore student leaders and the amount of leadership activities in which the subjects participated in high school. A statistically significant positive relationship was found between the self-reported attitudes on leader orientation of sophomore student leaders and the amount of leadership activity participation in high school. No statistically significant relationship was found between the post-class self-perceptions of the leadership skills of sophomore student leaders and their high school leadership education. A statistically significant relationship was found between the self-perceived communication skills of sophomore student leaders and the amount of leadership activities completed in high school. The more high school leadership activities in which students participated, the less confidence the students perceived in their communication skills. Statistical analysis failed to reveal a relationship between an attitude of group orientation and any one type of leadership skill.

The purpose of this study was to assess the self-perceptions of leadership skill development and attitudes of experienced collegiate sophomore student leaders who elected to take an undergraduate collegiate leadership course. Leadership attitude, for the purpose of this study, consisted of one's group or leader orientation. The five leadership skills studied were working in groups, positional leadership, communication, decision-making, and understanding self. A post-then methodology was utilized with self-reporting as the process by which data was collected following completion of an academic leadership course. The major findings of this study were as follows: After the semester course, there were no significant differences among sophomore student leaders regarding their attitude toward the construct leadership orientation and their attitude toward the construct group orientation. In addition, the sophomore student leaders who completed the academic leadership course displayed a self-perceived increase in their ability to work in groups, work in positions of leadership, communicate, make decisions, and in their awareness of self. No relationship was found between the self-reported attitudes on leader or group orientation of sophomore student leaders with the amount of high school leadership courses that were completed. No statistically significant relationship was found between the self-reported attitudes on group orientation of sophomore student leaders and the amount of leadership activities in which the subjects participated in high school. A statistically significant positive relationship was found between the self-reported attitudes on leader orientation of sophomore student leaders and the amount of leadership activity participation in high school. No statistically significant relationship was found between the post-class self-perceptions of the leadership skills of sophomore student leaders and their high school leadership education. A statistically significant relationship was found between the self-perceived communication skills of sophomore student leaders and the amount of leadership activities completed in high school. The more high school leadership activities in which students participated, the less confidence the students perceived in their communication skills. Statistical analysis failed to reveal a relationship between an attitude of group orientation and any one type of leadership skill.

In this study, I was investigating the role of student leadership played in institutional transformation at the University of Pretoria (UP). In order to contribute to understanding, student leadership role played in institutional transformation at UP and also student leaders understanding of transformation following the #FeesMustFall protests. Hence much research focused on conflict, disruption, violence and closure of universities related to the #FeesMustFall; there are comparatively fewer studies about the role played by the student leadership in institutional transformation at universities. The study researched how student leaders’ voices and agency have been represented in the institutional transformation initiatives. A qualitative case study method was used, based on content analysis of transformation documents from social media and transformation and policy documents available at the UP portal. The documents revealed that the student leaders played important roles and negotiated with the university management and the government about tuition fees and demands for free education, as well as about the change of the language policy; the renaming of the university buildings, and balancing quotas to reflect the SA demographic at the university. Also discussed were the transformation of the curriculum and the institutional and residence culture. Student leaders played a significant role in drafting a policy for the renaming of university buildings and in drafting the four drivers for the proposed curriculum changes at UP and the self-reflection questions for faculties to interrogate their curricula. The documents reveal that, in response to these demands, there was a 0% increase at South African universities in 2016 for all of the tuition fees and full funding of education for poor students for the following three years was announced. The management changed the language of instruction policy as demanded. The Client Services Centre (CSC) was renamed to the Student Services Centre (SSC) while new buildings are now named after South African heroes. Most significantly, of the more than fifty thousand students now accommodated at the University, the majority are female and black and many black students are now accommodated in residences. Management also decided to integrate both Indigenous and Eurocentric knowledge in the curricula and eliminate all legacy systems leading to racial segregation at UP. / Dissertation (MEd)--University of Pretoria, 2019. / Education Management and Policy Studies / MEd / Unrestricted

The advent of democracy opened learning opportunities for all students and racial segregation no longer characterizes institutions of higher learning in South Africa. The racially diverse student body confronts universities with the challenge of racial tension amongst students as well as staff. Recent protest movements such as #Rhodesmustfall and #FeesMustFall have highlighted uneasy race relations in South African universities. Although such incidents are crucial, equally important are the everyday realities of race relations that continue to define the lives of students in these institutions. The purpose of this study was to provide an in-depth understanding of student leaders‟ experiences of race relations at a South African university. A qualitative research approach was adopted to shed light on these experiences. Purposeful sampling was employed to recruit six student leaders of various races. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with the participants. The analysis of the interview material revealed that the history of South Africa as a racially segregated, unequal society affects race relations. Racial discrimination and distrust hamper racial integration in the student body and external factors such as politics also affect student leaders‟ experiences of race relations. Even though friendships afford opportunities for good race relations, they are largely class dependent. It is recommended that the university invest into personnel diversity training and the creation of platforms for intercultural and interracial exchanges within the university. / Dissertation (MA (Research Psychology))--University of Pretoria, 2019. / Psychology / MA (Research Psychology) / Unrestricted

Within the university system, student organizations have historically had multiple positive influences on the students who choose to participate in them. This study looked at a particular banner organization in the College of Agriculture, Food and Environment at the University of Kentucky. Using the Social Change Model of Leadership Development theory as a backbone, a survey was created to evaluate the impact UK CAFE Ambassador Program has on its participants, as well as to identify avenues for improvement. This is a program that seeks to represent the college through recruitment and to develop student leaders through soft skill building. After surveying current and past ambassadors, there is overwhelming evidence that the UK CAFE Ambassador Program has positively impacted the students whether it was through skills building, networking, or college experience.

This study investigated whether and in what ways a learner-centered instrumental music education classroom environment may nurture musical growth and independence. The mixed-methods design incorporated quantitative and qualitative measures to compare performance outcomes, musical growth, and learner and teacher dispositions in learner-centered and teacher-centered middle school orchestra classrooms. Quantitative measures included a Performance Assessment Instrument and a researcher-designed survey of student perceptions and attitudes. Qualitative measures included classroom observation, student and teacher interviews, and teacher journal entries. Research participants were four teachers, two of whom taught using a teacher-centered approach, and two of whom were oriented to learner-centered classroom strategies through a professional development program taught by the researcher. The teachers implemented learner-centered or teacher-centered environments in four intact classrooms that included 155 student participants. Learner-centered methods were based on democratic (Dewey, 1938; Woodford, 2005) and constructivist (Vygotsky, 1978; Wiggins, 2001) principles as well as research and pedagogical literature detailing the characteristics of learner-centered classrooms (McCombs & Whisler, 1997; Schuh, 2004). These included peer tutoring and collaboration; student conducting, solicitation and incorporation of student input; and facilitation of student leadership. I found no differences in music performance outcomes between learner-centered and teacher-centered ensembles. However, learner-centered students exhibited increased musical growth and greater musical independence as compared with students in the teacher-centered environment, and indicated higher perceptions than teacher-centered students of choice and leadership opportunities in their classrooms. Learner-centered teachers reported increased engagement and leadership skills from their students. Results of this study indicate that music ensemble teachers can incorporate a learner-center classroom environment that engages students musically, promotes independence and leadership, and involves students in higher order thinking while attaining performance standards at or above those expected of middle-school orchestra students.

Extensive research on burnout in different occupational fields has taken place internationally. However, no studies on students at higher education institutions in South Africa have been performed. The objective of this research was to standardise the Maslach Burnout Inventory- Student Survey (MBI-SS) and the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale-Student Survey (UWESSS) for student leaders in a South African university. Further objectives included empirically determining the relationships between burnout and engagement on the one hand, and work stress, optimism, individual and organisational commitment on the other. In so doing the researchers would be able to advise higher education institutions on how they could help with preventing burnout in student leaders, as well as enhancing the work engagement of these student leaders. A cross-sectional survey design was used. The entire population of student leaders were involved (N=196). The population of student leaders consisted of student leaders of 22 different House Committees and the Students' Representative Council. The Maslach Burnout Inventory-Student Survey and the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale-Student Survey, Life Orientation Test Revised, Attitudes Towards Your Organisation Survey and Position Characteristics Survey were administered. Descriptive and interferential statistics were used to analyse the data. The results obtained for MBI-SS proved this measuring instrument to be reliable and valid. By using the structural equation modelling approach a three-dimensional factor structure for burnout among student leaders emerged which supported earlier conceptions in this regard. The same applies to the UWES-SS. The results showed that for the Burnout model Emotional Exhaustion was best predicted by Overload, Cynicism by Job Demands and Professional Eficacy by Resources. For the Engagement model Absorption was best predicted by Recources and Dedication and Vigour were best predicted by Optimism. / Thesis (M.Com. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2004.

Extensive research on burnout in different occupational fields has taken place internationally. However, no studies on students at higher education institutions in South Africa have been performed. The objective of this research was to standardise the Maslach Burnout Inventory- Student Survey (MBI-SS) and the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale-Student Survey (UWESSS) for student leaders in a South African university. Further objectives included empirically determining the relationships between burnout and engagement on the one hand, and work stress, optimism, individual and organisational commitment on the other. In so doing the researchers would be able to advise higher education institutions on how they could help with preventing burnout in student leaders, as well as enhancing the work engagement of these student leaders. A cross-sectional survey design was used. The entire population of student leaders were involved (N=196). The population of student leaders consisted of student leaders of 22 different House Committees and the Students' Representative Council. The Maslach Burnout Inventory-Student Survey and the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale-Student Survey, Life Orientation Test Revised, Attitudes Towards Your Organisation Survey and Position Characteristics Survey were administered. Descriptive and interferential statistics were used to analyse the data. The results obtained for MBI-SS proved this measuring instrument to be reliable and valid. By using the structural equation modelling approach a three-dimensional factor structure for burnout among student leaders emerged which supported earlier conceptions in this regard. The same applies to the UWES-SS. The results showed that for the Burnout model Emotional Exhaustion was best predicted by Overload, Cynicism by Job Demands and Professional Eficacy by Resources. For the Engagement model Absorption was best predicted by Recources and Dedication and Vigour were best predicted by Optimism. / Thesis (M.Com. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2004.