Needs assessment of university leadership programs

✍ Scribed by Spralls, Samuel A.; Garver, Michael S.; Divine, Richard L.; Trotz, Heather

• Publisher: Wiley (John Wiley & Sons)
• Year: 2010
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 121 KB
• Volume: 4
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 1935-2611
• DOI: 10.1002/jls.20152

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

Although research indicates that university leadership programs can offer students many extremely valuable outcomes, the overall effectiveness of these programs is highly dependent on their abilty to attract student participants. This study addresses this issue by employing maximum difference scaling (MDS) analysis to determine the needs and preferences of university students with regard to participating in university leadership activities. From this data, four distinct need‐based segments of students are identified and discussed: socializers, leaders, self‐improvers, and job seekers. Suggested strategies are presented to increase particpation within each segment by focusing leadership programs on delivery of those outcomes most desired by each segment.