Abstract:
The invaluable role student leaders play in the administration and management
of educational institutions, especially at the university level, is well documented
in the higher education literature. However, there appears to be a dearth of
information regarding how the performance of student leaders’ leadership roles
influences their academic performance. It is against this backdrop that this study
was carried out to explore the interplay between student leaders’ leadership
roles and their academic performance. The study adopted a case study design.
Qualitative data were collected through interviews with thirteen participants
from the Executive Council of the Student Representative Council of UCC. The
interview responses were transcribed, coded and analysed thematically. It was
revealed that student leaders’ main leadership roles were for them to represent
the entire student body; serve as a liaison between students and the university
management and promote the interest and welfare of students. Again, the study
reveals that whilst student leaders gain some positive experiences like
leadership, communication and interpersonal skills through performing their
leadership roles, their overall academic performances appear to take a nosedive.
Given this, it was concluded that perhaps the student leaders were unable to
adopt effective strategies to balance the performance of their leadership duties
and academic work. It was therefore recommended that the guidance and
counselling unit together with the office of the Dean of Student of UCC on a
regular basis should organise training sessions for student leaders to equip them
with effective strategies to use in discharging their leadership roles whilst
improving their academic fortunes.
