Leadership & Social Justice

Leadership at LOYNO

At Loyola, we believe leadership and social justice are inseparably tied. Our leadership programs are structured based on, among other things, The Social Change Model of Leadership (1994). This values-based model shows us how the process of leadership can facilitate social change. According to the Social Change Model, leadership happens at individual, group, and community/societal levels by utilizing the 7 C's to accomplish SOCIAL CHANGE. We utilize the social change model across all of our leadership programs to ensure students are becoming effective leaders for social change. 

The Model approaches leadership as a purposeful, collaborative, values-based process that results in positive social change. It was built upon the following assumptions:

• Leadership is socially responsible, it impacts change on behalf of others.
• Leadership is collaborative.
• Leadership is a process, not a position.
• Leadership is inclusive and accessible to all people.
• Leadership is values-based.
• Community involvement/service is a powerful vehicle for leadership. 

Students have many different options for leadership at Loyola that follow the 7 C's of the Social Change Model, which are:  

• Consciousness of Self means being aware of beliefs, values, attitudes, and emotions that motivates one to take action. 
• Congruence refers to thinking, feeling, and behaving with consistency, genuineness, authenticity, and honesty towards others. Congruent persons are those whose actions are consistent with their most deeply-held beliefs and convictions.
• Commitment is the psychic energy that motivates the individual to serve and that drives the collective effort. Commitment implies passion, intensity, and duration. 
• Collaboration is to work with others in a common effort. It constitutes the cornerstone value of the group leadership effort because it empowers self and others through trust.  
• Common Purpose means to work with shared aims and values. It facilitates the group’s ability to engage in collective analysis of the issues at hand and the task to be undertaken.  
• Controversy with Civility recognizes two fundamental realities of any creative group effort: those differences in viewpoint are inevitable, and that such difference must be aired openly but with civility. 
• Citizenship is the process whereby the individual and the collaborative group become responsibly connected to the community and the society through the leadership development activity. 

Check out our Inclusion & Advocacy overview here!