The relationships among students' reports of learning outcomes based on leadership experiences in various types of student organizations and various roles within organizations were investigated. Relationships between demographic variables (i.e., ethnicity, gender, age, and type of housing) and type of organization, role within an organization, and learning outcomes, were also examined. A new instrument, the Student Leadership Learning Outcomes Assessment (SLLOA), was created to measure student generated learning outcomes; it has good internal consistency and validity. The SLLOA was completed by 328 student leaders at a private southeastern university. SLLOA scores indicated student leaders in cultural and service groups reported learning more than student leaders in sports/athletic groups. Vice Presidents and Presidents reported learning more from the leadership experience than Treasurers. Female student leaders reported learning more than male. Relationships were found between ethnicity of student leaders and type of organization and between type of housing (i.e., on campus, off campus without parents/parental figures, off campus with parents/parental figures) and type of organization. There was no relationship between type of organization and leaders' gender and age, or between the role held and leaders' gender, ethnicity, and type of housing. The results revealed no relationship between ethnicity and SLLOA scores.

The purpose of this study was to examine the perceived leadership orientations of leaders and general members affiliated with the Corps of Cadets at Texas A&M University, assess the validity and reliability for the Competing Values Instrument for the cadet population, and identify differences in leadership orientations of leaders and members of a student organization. The survey instrument used was an adaptation of Quinn's 1988 Competing Values Instrument. The two-part 32-item instrument was theoretically based on Quinn and Rohrbaugh's (1981, 1983) Competing Values Framework of managerial-leadership. The instrument divided the items into eight groups of leadership role orientations: Innovator, Broker, Producer, Director, Coordinator, Monitor, Facilitator, and Mentor. The instrument was administered to 520 cadets enrolled in 28 randomly selected Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) and School of Military Science (SOMS) courses at Texas A&M University. Responses were compared using various background information and environmental factors. Responses were also examined to establish validity and reliability for the instrument when used with college student members of this student organization. Factor analysis procedures resulted in slight alteration of items within specific factors. Results supported the idea that perceived leadership orientations are associated with academic classification, Corps classification, gender, age, leadership experience prior to college, involvement in college leadership experiences other than the Corps of Cadets, contract status, level of leadership position in the student organization, and military service affiliation. The contributions the student organization made to the development of leadership were assessed, and a better understanding of leaders' and members' perceptions of their leadership tendencies and practices was obtained. Survey instrument data indicated the Corps of Cadets was effective in enhancing students' perceptions of their leadership orientations. Recognizable differences were found to have existed in relationship to the complexity and nature of the leadership position. The higher the level of leadership position held by members of the Corps of Cadets, the more frequent those members' practice of leadership and management behaviors became. Military cadets were also more likely to practice leadership and management behaviors more frequently than non-military cadets. The study provided evidence that the Corps of Cadets has some effect on leadership development.

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Leadership is a socially constructed concept shaped by the context, values and experiences of society (Klenke, 1996); the historical context of gender and ethnicity in society affects views about leadership and who merits a leadership role. Therefore, developing an understanding of Hispanic women students’ leadership identity development is critical in broadening how we define leadership and develop leadership education. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore and describe the leadership identity development of a select group of women leaders at a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) in the southeast. A psychosocial approach to the study was utilized. In-depth interviews and focus groups were conducted with 11 self-identified Hispanic women students of sophomore, junior or senior standing with varying degrees of involvement in leadership activities at Florida International University. Participants were asked questions related to four topics; (a) leadership, (b) gender, (c) ethnic identity, and (d) influences that contributed to their understanding of self as leader. Five topics emerged from the data presented by the participants’: (a) encouraging relationships, (b) meaningful experiences, (c) self development, (d) the role of gender, and (e) impact of ethnicity. These themes contributed to the leadership identity development of the participants. Findings indicate that leadership identity development for Hispanic women college students at this HSI is complex. The concept of leadership identity development presented in the literature was challenged as findings indicate that the participants’ experiences living and attending a school in a majority-minority city influenced their development of a leadership identity. The data indicate that leadership is not gender or ethnicity neutral as differences exist in expectations of men and women in leadership roles. Gender expectations posed particular challenges for these women student leaders. The prescriptive nature of stage-based models was problematic as findings indicated leadership identity development a complicated and continuing process influenced strongly by relationships and experiences. This study enhanced knowledge of the ways that Hispanic women students become leaders and the influences that shape their leadership experiences which can assist higher education professionals in developing leadership programs and courses that address gender, multiculturalism and awareness of self as leader.