Enhancing student development through experiential learning: Impact on academic growth, leadership, and community engagement in Thailand

This research aimed to evaluate the student development project and establish guidelines for its enhancement, utilizing a mixed-methods. The quantitative component involved the administration of an evaluation form to 18 lecturers and students, with data analyzed through frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation calculations. The qualitative aspect consisted of interviews with key informants, also comprising 18 lecturers and students, selected through purposive sampling, with responses analyzed using descriptive analysis to identify key themes. The findings revealed that the overall evaluation of the student development project across the Context, Input, Process, and Product dimensions was rated at a high level (μ = 4.12, σ = 0.80). Among the assessed aspects, Context received the highest rating (μ = 4.30, σ = 0.62), followed by Input (μ = 4.27, σ = 0.65) and Process (μ = 4.20, σ = 0.82), although Product, which evaluates performance outcomes, received the lowest rating (μ = 3.73, σ = 0.88), suggesting potential areas for further refinement. The proposed guidelines for project improvement emphasize establishing clear objectives and goals, ensuring alignment with the institution’s vision and academic priorities, fostering leadership development, and maintaining transparent operational processes. Key success factors include adequate personnel allocation, meticulous planning, technological integration to enhance efficiency, and structured preparation in advance. Furthermore, the project framework underlines teamwork and adherence to implementation standards, leading to significant benefits, including student acquisition of life skills and leadership experience, community empowerment through knowledge transfer on self-sufficiency economics, and curriculum adjustments to strengthen alignment with community needs.