RESEARCH
Beyond the Leadership Title
What 271 Student Leaders and 37 Advisors Reveal About Helping Students Succeed
Natalya Lucas • Teen Exec • September 2026
Student leadership can look very different from one organization to another. I conducted this research to better understand the challenges student leaders face, the support they receive, and what schools can do to help make leadership a meaningful opportunity to grow.
Research at a Glance
271
STUDENT LEADERS
37
ADVISORS
44 + D.C.
GEOGRAPHIC REACH
12
RECOMMENDATIONS
Natalya with fellow student leaders at DECA’s International Career Development Conference.
WHY I BECAME INTERESTED
A Question That Started With What I Noticed Around Me
As I became more involved in student leadership in high school, I noticed that student leaders had access to different levels of support depending on the organizations they were part of. For some, that support came primarily from local advisors and previous student leaders; others also had access to conferences, training, and resources provided by state and national organizations.
I wanted to understand what support student leaders need, where they are getting that support now, and what schools could do to make sure every student leader has a strong foundation, regardless of their organization.
A NOTE ABOUT THE RESEARCH
Participants were recruited through student organizations and direct outreach, and participation was voluntary. The respondents represent a targeted convenience sample, so the findings describe patterns within this group rather than the experiences of every high school student leader.
METHODOLOGY
How I Conducted the Research
I surveyed 271 high school student leaders from 44 states and Washington, D.C., along with 37 advisors and coaches. The surveys explored leadership preparation, advisor support, organizational practices, leadership transitions, common challenges, and student leadership experiences.
I also reviewed published research on student leadership and leadership-development resources from established state and national organizations. The student and advisor surveys provided the basis for the first six recommendations, while the organizational review helped shape the next six.
FINDINGS
Five Findings
Five patterns stood out as I reviewed the student and advisor surveys.
01 Clear expectations don’t guarantee follow-through.
Most students understood their roles and goals, yet 41% reported that tasks still fell through the cracks.
02 Leadership competes with an already full schedule.
Time management and competing commitments were the most consistently reported struggle for both students and advisors.
03 Teams need more than communication tools.
Communication tools were widely used, but getting the work done also depended on delegation, accountability, and leading peers effectively.
04 Not every student leader gets the same preparation and support.
Preparation varied widely, ranging from formal transition processes and workshops to no training or guidance.
05 Student leaders value relationships and growth, not just results.
Students’ proudest accomplishments included completed events and projects, personal growth, stronger relationships, and service.
45%
The Role of Advisors
Among the 211 students who identified their primary source of training or guidance, 96 — about 45% — selected an advisor or coach, more than any other source. The surveys don't show that an advisor determines success, but they do suggest that an advisor can strongly shape the experience.
What the Findings Suggest
Clear expectations are only a starting point. Student leaders also benefit from help managing time and team responsibilities, guidance from previous leaders, and opportunities to take meaningful responsibility and learn through experience.
Two Priorities. Twelve Recommendations
The paper offers 12 practical recommendations organized around two priorities. They form a framework for choosing improvements, not a checklist schools must complete all at once.
Give Every Student Leader a Foundation of Support
01 Supportive advisor
Give students an adult they can turn to for guidance.
Recommendations 1–6 respond directly to needs identified in the student and advisor surveys.
02 Clear roles and expectations
Clarify expectations, decisions, dates, and sources of help.
03 Planning around full schedules
Teach students to look ahead, prioritize, and ask for help.
04 Shared task tracking
Record what needs to happen, who owns it, and when it’s due.
05 Delegation and peer accountability
Help students divide work, check progress, and address problems.
06 Leadership handoffs
Preserve useful dates, contacts, documents, and lessons learned.
Create Meaningful Leadership Experiences
07 Responsibilities that matter
Give students an adult they can turn to for guidance.
Recommendations 7–12 draw on practices from established state and national student organizations.
08 More ways into leadership
Clarify expectations, decisions, dates, and sources of help.
09 Reflection
Help students identify what worked and what they would change.
10 Practical advisor resources
Offer useful tools and connections with experienced advisors.
11 Learning beyond one organization
Connect leaders across groups, schools, and broader networks.
12 Make leadership visible
Recognize the work, learning, and growth behind the title.
How Schools Can Use the Research
EXAMINE THE FOUNDATION
Look across student organizations. Do leaders have supportive advisors, clear responsibilities, help planning, a shared way to track work, practice with delegation, and useful leadership handoffs?
EXAMINE THE EXPERIENCE
Look at what students actually get to do. Can they make decisions, grow into greater responsibility, reflect on what they learn, and learn from leaders beyond their own organizations?
A PRACTICAL PLACE TO START
Review where support is already strong, identify the most important gaps, and choose one or two manageable improvements for the year.