ABSTRACT
The focus of this chapter is to propose an integrative model of student leadership, called responsible leadership development, which builds on the interdisciplinary work of leadership identity development and social emotional competence. The model is in response to increased pressure for college accountability and the need for an understanding of leadership that addresses limitations of current leadership models and programs in higher education. In particular, existing concepts of leadership generally fail to account for the unique developmental context of college students. In addition, programs of leadership often view leadership as a position for a select few students, rather than as a process for all students. In this chapter, we highlight the push for greater accountability in higher education and the limitations of current approaches to leadership development, and present our integrated model of responsible leadership development.
