Abstract
This Dissertation in Practice presents a case study describing the leadershipcharacteristics of a student organization that has been active for 54 years. The student
organization described is a religious group at the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras
campus (UPRRP). Since its founding, this organization has not enjoyed the guidance of
paid staff or the support of a national organization. The social context of this organization
is within the Latin American experience, which is most familiar to social change models
of leadership. Social Change Model (SCM) and horizontal leadership will be used as
comparative models, particularly as they have influenced student leadership within the
UPRRP. The methodology makes a case for why this research is best to be approached as
a case study.
Keywords: student-led groups, persistence, engagement, retention, leadership,
Social Change Model, case study.