2011 NASPA Annual Conference  Philadelphia, Pennsylvania  March 12–16, 2011 Deconstructing the Black Student Leadership Experience March 14, 2011 Cord McLean – The University of Georgia R. Teresia Greer – Louisiana State University

LEADER BLACK

What the Literature Says… About Black Students at PWIs Existence in multiple “spaces” – Home community – Smaller Black community on campus – Larger campus community – Society and culture Negotiating various (sometimes conflicting) values and expectations

What the Literature Says… About Black Student Issues Self-concept and identity integration Negative assumptions Hypervisibility Physical and social isolation Lack of support

What the Literature Says… About Black Student Involvement Cultural communalism – Familiarity, expression, and validation Safe space Source of resistance and persistence Positive impact on academic and social outcomes Opportunity to give back

What the Literature Says… About Leadership Industrial Leadership Conventional, hierarchical, exclusive Partial to systems and structures Intentional influence over others Reserved for small subgroup of population Postindustrial Leadership Emerging, communal, relational Dynamic and change- oriented Dependent on quality relationships with others Contextual; demonstrated by anyone at any time

WHAT DOES ALL OF THIS REALLY MEAN?

Future Directions For Black Student Leaders Allow yourself the opportunity to integrate YOUR OWN ideals into your self-concept/identity. Don’t use cultural familiarity as a defense mechanism. Talk about issues that may be attributed to being a Black Student Leader. Explore your multiple spaces, and come up with solutions that work for YOU!

Future Directions For Effective Advising Increase awareness, knowledge, and skills Consider relevance of theoretical models Respect intragroup diversity Innovate! – Encourage reflection that allows students to express creative energies. – Champion spaces and programs that redefine this experience.

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