ANY MOVEMENT OF THE NEEDLE: The Oaks Leadership Scholars Represent Themselves as Learners, Allies, Advocates, and Activists

The Oaks Leadership Scholars engage in a year-long program grounded in transformative leadership and framed by Project Based Learning to develop identities as advocates and activists. Analysis of Scholars’ reflections throughout the year indicate increased representation of their selves as advocates and activists over time and identifies significant events – such as a museum tour and engagement in their year-long project – in the program year. The findings of the study indicate that The Student Leader Activist Identity Continuum is an effective way to conceptualize the year and when paired with intentional teaching of transformative leadership, and can impact Scholars’ concept of self in relation to justice and equity work. The findings of this study indicate areas for future study and could inform curriculum revisions.