Exploring the Motivations and Perceived Benefits of Volunteerism among Student Leaders at James Madison University

• In Event: Managing staff and volunteers

Abstract

The racial disparity in the enrollment of college students in the US has been a point of discussion and research in the past few decades with the majority of students being white. This disparity is further seen in the representation in the student leaders numbers in the universities. From the data base of Centre of Multicultural Students at JMU and the student leadership Centre, there are a total of 240 total student organization, with 194 being white student organizations being represented and led by four hundred student leaders and 46 student of color student organizations represented by 180 student leaders of color (CMSS Student Organizations, 2022). Student leaders function as volunteers who represent their organizations and groups on the campus. Student leaders are a key part of success in institutes of higher education: they have the ability to influence and lead other students, have the vision and the commitment, and provide the followers with the knowledge to achieve their goals (Antonakis & Day, 2017). Student leaders are elected, nominated, or appointed representatives of the students in various capacities within the university. This study will contribute to the body of literature on student leader engagement among people of color in higher education and using a well-tested instrument the VFI developed by Clary et al (1999) to examine student motivation to volunteer and the perceived motivations of altruism and socialization.
The purpose of this study is to further understand the perceived motivations of volunteerism of student leaders who identify as people of color in higher education institutes in the United States. With particular interest in their experiences as volunteer student leaders, and its impact on their academic success, career readiness and resilience.
Research question.
1. What are the perceived motivations of volunteering as a student leader of color in higher education?
2. What are the potential implications of serving as a student leader on academic success and career readiness.

The setting for the study is James Madison University with an enrollment of 19,550 students. The percentage of students of color is at 14% as of 2020. Through the Centre of Multicultural Student Services, I will look at the 240 student organizations among which 46 are organizations represent students of color, and 580 student leaders in total among which 180 students identify as students of color. The student leaders are formal volunteers who aim to serve in the student clubs.
The results of this research could be used to create more inclusive and equitable student leadership opportunities and to provide more support and resources for underserved student populations. Additionally, the findings could inform best practices for student leadership development and could be used to create more effective student organization programs that are tailored to the needs of underrepresented students. Finally, it could provide insights into how universities can better engage and support student leaders of color. This could be beneficial to both the individual students and the universities as a whole.

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Author

• Diana Kamwibua, James Madison University