Student leader

For the magazine, see Student Leader (magazine).

A student leader is any student who influences their peers in a positive manner. A student leader acts beyond their standard academic responsibilities in ways that benefit their school or community. Leadership can be developed in students of any age. At the elementary age, leadership skills will help young students navigate lifestyle occurrences. At the secondary and collegiate levels, leadership skills guide students in long term decision making processes. Students may seek leadership opportunities in extra curricular clubs, sports, academic support, or private organizations. These outlets place students in age appropriate scenarios in which they can observe, practice, and execute skills in which they lead their peers.

Leader Development

Developing leadership among student populations is important because it encourages student agency in their academic and extracurricular pursuits. By increasing engagement within their academic and extracurricular pursuits, student leaders are more likely to see a positive engagement in their academic performance overall. In addition, effective student leaders who represent various ethnic groups may influence stronger identities and relationships among their communities.

Without proper guidance, their leadership may fall short or cease to grow upon graduation. In order to guide student leaders to success and efficiency, they need individualized mentoring as opposed to a broad leadership development approach. Students who engage in more leadership development and engagement have greater social awareness, self-control, and have greater chances of pursuing higher education.

Ideally, developing leadership skills and mentoring student leaders will provide them with more transferable skills. Specifically, students who have held leadership positions should have a greater locus of control. With such skills, students will be more willing and able to reflect on their actions and practices in order to make more beneficial choices for their futures.

Elementary Level Leadership

Leadership development can begin as early as the elementary level. At this age, students can practice foundational skills such as communication, goal-setting, and teamwork. These skills will not only provide young students with tools for success, but they will ideally enhance their learning environments to create a more positive experience. In doing so, as students mature they will be able to more easily apply these early foundational skills in future leadership positions. Educators may utilize curricular packages or other Social-Emotional practices to establish these leadership skills.

Secondary Level Leadership

Upon entering secondary school, students are placed in an environment where they are able to practice their autonomy. Through their academic pursuits, students may be able to develop skills of active listening, collaboration, and problem solving. If given the opportunity to participate in extra-curricular activities, they may then take on more formal leadership roles such as team captains or class / organizational presidents. Through such positions, secondary students can develop more collaborative leadership skills such as task management and putting others first.

Post-Secondary Leadership

At the collegiate level, students may pursue leadership positions through a variety of methods. Some may be paid, such as Resident Advisors (RA's) or Teaching Assistants (TA's), while others are unpaid, such as Greek Life or Student Government leadership. Some student leadership positions are often made available through an application process. At this stage, students will hopefully master their ability to manage tasks and peers, collaborate with others, and produce innovative ideas and projects. These leadership positions will be the gateway for many students as they enter the workforce.

Conclusion

In a broader sense, a student leader can take up the responsibility of their community, their city, their country or the world and work towards it with or without the help of a mentor.

Examples

A student leader could be any of the following roles.

Primary or secondary school

• Member of student government, student council, or ASB.
• Teacher's Aide
• Peer mentor
• Member of any number of student clubs or organizations
• Peer-mediated instruction

School

• Resident Assistant
• Member of student government
• Member of Residence Hall Association or NACURH or NRHH
• Member of incoming freshmen orientation team
• Student assistant or employee
• Member of any number of student clubs or organizations
• Peer-mediated instruction

See also

• Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad