Understanding the Pedagogical Role of Service-Learning for Preparing Citizen Leaders in Higher Education

Abstract This paper presents a survey that explored the impact of service-learning in the realm of higher education on the readiness of students for their forthcoming leadership positions as citizen leaders. A narrative review approach was adopted. A significant amount of research has been conducted on service-learning outcomes; however, few studies have investigated the role of service-learning in developing civic leadership of higher education students. The primary aim of this study was to assess the current body of literature regarding the pedagogical significance of service-learning in fostering engaged citizen leaders within higher education. The findings of this investigation demonstrate the effectiveness of service-learning as a valuable tool for cultivating leadership abilities among students in higher education. Notable skills enhanced through this approach include problem-solving, critical thinking, public speaking, decision-making, and interpersonal proficiency. These are also considered the top employability skills in the current job market. Based on the findings, the paper supports the integration of service-learning as a useful educational approach in higher education curricula to develop leadership skills of graduates.