THE LEADERSHIP LABORATORY: A leadership practice field involving peer mentors in a first-year, project-based class

Abstract

Scholars of leadership education have recently called for more “practice fields” that combine leadership experience with deliberate instruction, reflection, and feedback. The value of experience and reflection toward leadership development is widely espoused; yet, few studies assess best practices for their integration within leadership education. Through an assessment of a curricular-based peer mentor program, this article offers a potential model for a successful leadership practice field. Based on an analysis of student feedback, several features of the program are noted for their correlation with leadership learning and developmental gains.