The Power of a Student Leadership Council: Building Tomorrow’s Leaders Today

You’ve probably heard about student councils at the high school level but more and more Adult and Higher Education Institutions are adopting this programming as a way to incubate the next generation of leaders, innovators, and changemakers who can impact programming at a foundational level while integrating into the wider community.

Owatonna Adult Education was able to build such a council with IELCE grant dollars and the impact on programming can be seen daily. By giving students a voice at their educational institution, these student leadership councils foster critical skills like communication, collaboration, and problem-solving but also bring a transformative element of belonging and connection to the community. We encourage you to learn more about the benefits of building a student leadership council and urge you to invest in student leadership programs to enhance the present while students prepare to lead the future.

Start with a Purpose

Owatonna’s Student Leadership Council (SLC) is an adult student group that engages in leadership and life skills learning opportunities with an emphasis on building community within the Adult Learning Center (ALC) program and the wider Owatonna community. The cornerstone of Owatonna Adult Education’s SLC is to empower students. All Adult Learning Students can send their program and class feedback to the council who act as liaisons between students and staff. Students on the council also have the opportunity to meet community leaders and coordinate three major events during the school year – a Student Success Celebration and two Leadership Dialogue events.

When our Adult Learners are given the opportunity to make decisions, advocate for their peers, and implement events and initiatives, they develop the confidence and essential skills that extend far beyond the classroom. These experiences help students understand their potential to effect real change in our programs and their communities. Owatonna’s SLC has advocated for additional evening ESL hours, an additional online GED class, a community resource fair, a student-needs focus group, a Spanish Driver Permit Prep class, and an end-of-the year Student Success Celebration, among many other initiatives, over the last four SLC cohorts.

A strong SLC doesn’t just create figureheads; it builds engaged and responsible leaders. Students involved in SLC’s often become more invested in their education, are more likely to participate in civic activities, and are better prepared for future professional roles in the workforce. The Adult Learning Center, the council members, the Adult Learner student population, and the Owatonna community all benefit, holistically.

Build a Stronger School Community through Leadership Cohorts

An SLC partly serves as a bridge between students and staff. By giving students a platform to voice concerns, suggest improvements, and contribute to school culture, councils help create a more welcoming, inclusive, and responsive learning environment. Our cohort model grows a natural mentorship opportunity within our Adult Learning Center and allows our SLC to:

• Organize events and initiatives – Community resource fairs, hands-on learning labs, student-needs focus groups, open houses, student success celebrations, and a Center Resource binder that is accessible to all within the Center.
• Encourage student representation – School board presentations, monthly industry newsletters, and classroom and community presentations ensure that diverse perspectives from our ALC are heard and valued. It’s not enough to keep your SLC inside your buildings. They must venture outside your four walls to gain recognition and opportunity is sure to follow.
• Enhance communication – Regular council meetings are scheduled throughout the year and use of the communication app, GroupMe, allows for direct communication between student representatives and school administrators that fosters trust, transparency, and collaboration all year long.

Encourage Essential Life Skills

Participation in the SLC provides students with real-world skills that are applicable far beyond their school years. These include:

• Public speaking and communication – Expressing ideas clearly and confidently is a skill that benefits students in both academic and professional settings. Owatonna Adult Education is fortunate to have several council members who have gone on to complete the Community Interpreter course and act as translators within the Center and are often called upon to assist with translations in the school district. It is likely that being part of the SLC allowed students to develop the skills and connections necessary to move on to more advanced training and important opportunities with community partners.
• Problem-solving and Decision-making – Councils encourage students to analyze their concerns, consider different perspectives, and develop feasible solutions. Most often the solution is identifying which staff can assist with the barrier. However, that also means developing the courage to ask for help when needed. Through this SLC program, self-advocacy within your student population may become more natural, empowering all students to confidently navigate challenges, seek support proactively, and contribute to a more collaborative school environment.
• Time Management and Organization – Balancing leadership responsibilities with schoolwork and the life of an Adult Learner teaches valuable prioritization and efficiency skills. Each cohort at Owatonna Adult Education starts with student and staff nominations, followed by an individual meeting with each candidate to fully understand the time commitment required to be on the council with all those life factors in mind. These skills are regularly reviewed in each council meeting so students can understand how much attention is needed to manage their responsibilities and have the ability to pivot or reorganize. This ongoing reflection helps students build resilience, stay organized, and make informed decisions about their commitments.
• ACES in Action – SLC members have the opportunity to develop and practice Academic, Career, and Employability Skills (ACES) in a supportive environment, gaining valuable experiences to highlight in job interviews or college essays.

Create a Lasting Impact

A well-structured student leadership council doesn’t just create change within the school, it can inspire long-term improvements in the wider community. Many councils engage in service projects, partner with local organizations, or advocate for important local causes.

Starting with the basics of forming a council, doing a student needs assessment, and developing leadership skills helps students recognize their ability to influence the world around them. Building upon that first cohort and adapting to each year’s student population ensures that the council remains relevant, responsive, and reflective of the evolving needs and aspirations of the students it advocates for.

Additionally, the leadership experience gained in councils often serves as a foundation for future roles in business, government, education, non-profit organizations, and many other industries. Many successful leaders in various fields credit their early involvement in student leadership as a key part of their leadership development. Owatonna Adult Education Council members have gone on to work as translators within the school district, open up their own small businesses that directly benefit Owatonna’s economy, and even continue to coach the new cohorts of the student leadership council.

Motion to Adjourn

The power of a student leadership council lies in its ability to shape confident, capable, and compassionate leaders who can advocate for their peers, their program, and their community. By providing students with opportunities to lead, the council cultivates a sense of responsibility, teamwork, and ambition that stays with them for life. Schools that invest in student leadership programs are not just enhancing the present – they are preparing students to lead the future.

For more information about creating your own student leadership council, reach out to Lydia Yahnke at lyahnke@isd761.org.