Socially Just and Culturally Relevant Experiential Leadership Learning: Centering Equity and Inclusion in Learners' Praxis

Abstract

The current article draws on findings from a constructivist, qualitative case study via which we explored which and how experiential leadership learning activities supported students in making meaning of social inequity and change as well as how students’ identities were held in conversation. Data collection was grounded in semi-structured interviews with 13 students enrolled across four leadership courses (i.e., Leadership Theory; Women and Leadership; Leadership and Social Change; Leadership and Organizational Problem-Solving) at a public, four year university in the Mid-Atlantic. Thematic analysis of student voice—as well as syllabi and student journals—uncovered not only the types of experiential leadership learning that amplified students’ awareness of social justice issues, but also how students’ experiences of dissonance and vulnerability, the creation of safe/brave learning environments, and educators’ emotional availability intersected with experiences to expand leadership learning.