Who We Really Are: Demographic Factors that Predict Student Service Leadership

Abstract

Demographic data were collected from 38 program directors in a university-based community service center and a control group of 62 other students not engaged in any service activity randomly selected at a large, urban, research university. A series of multiple regression analysis were conducted to identify significant predictors of students likely to undertake leadership roles in community service. Results suggest a number of demographic factors are highly correlated with students’ level of service leadership. Some of the factors validate national trends while others are surprising, suggesting that much motivation stems from extrinsic professional goals rather than intrinsic motivation.