Creating Space for International Students in Leadership Education

Area of Science:

• Higher Education
• International Student Affairs
• Leadership Studies

Background:

• International undergraduate student enrollment in the U.S. reached 1.1 million in 2023-2024.
• Leadership programs are increasingly enrolling international students.
• Some programs struggle to effectively include this diverse student population.

Purpose of the Study:

• To understand international students' perceptions of campus leadership.
• To provide guidance for leadership program administrators.
• To foster inclusive environments for international students.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative analysis of student leadership understanding.
• Exploration of administrative challenges in program integration.
• Review of best practices for multicultural engagement.

Main Results:

• International students may hold diverse leadership perspectives influenced by cultural backgrounds.
• Effective inclusion requires culturally responsive program design and facilitation.
• Administrators need training to navigate cultural nuances in leadership development.

Conclusions:

• Universities must adapt leadership programs to be more inclusive of international students.
• Culturally sensitive approaches enhance leadership development for all students.
• Further research is needed on specific cultural leadership models.