Publication Date

Spring 5-11-2026

Document Type

Student Project

First Advisor

Jon Briscoe

Degree Name

B.S. (Bachelor of Science)

Department

Department of Management

Abstract

This capstone project focuses on the development of a leadership playbook designed to support student organization leaders through practical guidance, organizational strategies, and leadership systems grounded in real experiences. The project was inspired by my experience serving as President of Pi Sigma Epsilon and the leadership challenges commonly faced within student organizations. Throughout my time in leadership, I observed how communication, structure, accountability, and organizational culture directly impacted the success and sustainability of organizations. These experiences motivated the creation of a resource that could help future student leaders navigate leadership responsibilities more effectively while building stronger and more sustainable organizations.

The project explores the importance of student leadership within higher education and emphasizes the role student organizations play in leadership development, professional growth, and community engagement. Many students enter executive board positions without formal leadership training or operational guidance, often learning through trial and error. As a result, organizations frequently experience challenges related to communication breakdowns, poor delegation, inconsistent member engagement, lack of accountability, and weak leadership transitions. This project aims to address those challenges by identifying leadership practices and organizational systems that contribute to successful student organizations.

Research for this project was conducted using a qualitative approach through conversations with student organization presidents and faculty advisors within the College of Business at Northern Illinois University. The interviews focused on leadership responsibilities, organizational structure, communication systems, delegation, member engagement, advisor support, and succession planning. Through these conversations, several recurring themes consistently emerged, including the importance of communication and transparency, leadership structure and direction, accountability, organizational culture, collaboration, recruitment and retention, and organizational sustainability. Faculty advisors and student leaders both emphasized that strong organizations are built through effective leadership systems, clear communication, engaged executive boards, and positive organizational culture.

The findings gathered throughout the research process became the foundation for the leadership playbook included within this project. The playbook provides practical guidance for future student leaders in areas such as leadership expectations, executive board structure, communication systems, recruitment and retention, and succession planning. It also highlights the importance of creating sustainable systems that allow organizations to continue succeeding beyond one executive board term. In addition to organizational strategies, the playbook emphasizes professionalism, collaboration, accountability, and relationship-building as critical components of effective leadership.

Overall, this project combines personal leadership experience, research, and practical application to create a resource that can support future student leaders both within Pi Sigma Epsilon and across other student organizations. The goal of the project is not only to improve organizational effectiveness, but also to help student leaders build stronger communities, create meaningful experiences for members, and develop organizations that can continue positively impacting students for years to come.

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