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May 17, 2026New Directions for Student Leadership0 citations

A Narrative Inquiry of Meaning Making and Leader Identity Development among College Students

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HSHannah M. SundermanVirginia TechKMKate D. McCainVirginia TechJOJonathan OrsiniUniversity of Florida

Key Points

  • The study aims to explore the processes of leader identity development and meaning making among college students from childhood to emerging adulthood.
  • Conducted two open-ended interviews with 26 college students.
  • Utilized a narrative storytelling approach to capture participants' experiences.
  • Identified high, low, and turning points in leader identity development.
  • A process of leader identity development emerged through personal development experiences.
  • Participants reported enhanced personal worthiness following meaningful leadership experiences.
  • Meaning-making opportunities were crucial for personal development outcomes.

Abstract

ABSTRACT Leader identity development (LID) and meaning making are essential and interconnected developmental processes. The current study explored LID and meaning making from childhood to emerging adulthood among college students ( N = 26). Utilizing two open‐ended interviews and a narrative storytelling approach, we explored participants’ LID high, low, and turning points. A process of LID emerged in which leadership development experiences resulted in personal development outcomes following meaning‐making opportunities and a sense of personal worthiness.

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Cite This Study

Sunderman et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a095c6d7880e6d24efe2908https://doi.org/10.1002/yd.70051
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