Different pathways to leadership development of college women and men

Analyzing data from the Wabash National Study of Liberal Arts Education, this study explored gender differences in the development and learning of college students' leadership capacities as framed with the Social Change Leadership Model (SCM). The results show that female students reported higher scores on six out of eight SCM values, and also had more growth on their leadership capacities than male students. Interpersonal interactions more than cocurricular involvement influenced students' growth on SCM values with the effects varied by gender. The results of this study indicated a "male disadvantage" and suggest the need to develop a leadership program for male students.