Faculty Mentor
Kip Sorgen
Location
Russell Union 2052
Type of Research
Proposed
Session Format
Oral Presentation
College
College of Education
Department
Leadership, Technology & Human Development
Abstract
Are you a student leader or do you work with student leaders? If you said yes, then this presentations for you! This presentation explores the connection between student leadership and student‑centered professional practice by introducing three foundational leadership and development theories: the Social Change Model, Self‑Determination Theory, and Astin’s Theory of Involvement. Rather than studying student and professional motivations separately, this session invites participants to consider how these theories mirror the shared values, behaviors, and purposes that shape leadership in higher education.
Participants will engage in guided discussion and Think‑Pair‑Share activities designed to help them reflect on how each theory applies to their own experiences as student leaders, student affairs professionals, or both. Through these conversations, this session encourages participants to examine why students choose to lead, how their motivations align with the principles of student engagement, and how professionals can intentionally support leadership development through theory‑informed practice.
As we talk through why students choose to lead and what motivates them to stay engaged, we’ll also look at how those motivations mirror the values that guide student‑centered work. By tying the theories directly into real experiences, this session highlights how student and professional perspectives reinforce one another. Participants will leave with a clearer sense of how these ideas show up in everyday practice and how intentional, student‑centered design can strengthen leadership development across campus.
Program Description
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DOI
10.20429/GS4.2026.013
Start Date
4-23-2026 11:15 AM
End Date
4-23-2026 11:30 AM
Recommended Citation
Lockett, Dezrae M., "Applying Self-Determination Theory to Student Leaders and the Educators Who Shape Them" (2026). GS4 Student Scholars Symposium. 121.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/research_symposium/2026/2026/121
Applying Self-Determination Theory to Student Leaders and the Educators Who Shape Them
Russell Union 2052
Are you a student leader or do you work with student leaders? If you said yes, then this presentations for you! This presentation explores the connection between student leadership and student‑centered professional practice by introducing three foundational leadership and development theories: the Social Change Model, Self‑Determination Theory, and Astin’s Theory of Involvement. Rather than studying student and professional motivations separately, this session invites participants to consider how these theories mirror the shared values, behaviors, and purposes that shape leadership in higher education.
Participants will engage in guided discussion and Think‑Pair‑Share activities designed to help them reflect on how each theory applies to their own experiences as student leaders, student affairs professionals, or both. Through these conversations, this session encourages participants to examine why students choose to lead, how their motivations align with the principles of student engagement, and how professionals can intentionally support leadership development through theory‑informed practice.
As we talk through why students choose to lead and what motivates them to stay engaged, we’ll also look at how those motivations mirror the values that guide student‑centered work. By tying the theories directly into real experiences, this session highlights how student and professional perspectives reinforce one another. Participants will leave with a clearer sense of how these ideas show up in everyday practice and how intentional, student‑centered design can strengthen leadership development across campus.
