The interplay between leadership roles and academic performance: views of ‘student leaders’ of the University of Cape Coast

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.