Master of Arts in Higher Education (MAHE) Theses
Impact of a Student Leadership Experience on the Development of Creativity in Undergraduate Students
Date of Award
5-2018
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
First Advisor
Drew Moser
Second Advisor
Scott Gaier
Third Advisor
Tim Herrmann
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of a leadership experience on the development of creativity in undergraduate students in order to help student affairs professionals, faculty, and administrators better understand how they can develop creativity in their students. A phenomenological study was conducted on students who held a leadership position as a Resident Assistant or cabinet member of a student organization on the campus of a small institution in the Midwestern United States. The study consisted of an open-ended survey and semi-structured interviews. Key findings from this study include insight into various aspects of students’ experiences in leadership, including event planning, supervisors, collaboration, impact on communication, looking at past failure, incorporation of interests into their roles, redefining creativity through their roles, and the students’ creative self-efficacy. These findings additionally provide support for the idea that a leadership experience is an effective method for teaching creativity to undergraduate students.
Recommended Citation
Smith, Austin Taylor, "Impact of a Student Leadership Experience on the Development of Creativity in Undergraduate Students" (2018). Master of Arts in Higher Education (MAHE) Theses. 117.
https://pillars.taylor.edu/mahe/117