Female student involvement : a review and handbook development

Abstract

This study explored the relationship between female student involvement in extracurricular activities and academic achievement. Female students who are involved in extracurricular activities appear to perform better academically than non-involved female students and involved male students. This information learned from literature led to the handbook development. The handbook contains ways to promote female student involvement. Student affairs professionals working with student involvement at seven Midwestern United States universities were interviewed about their current practices to promote student involvement. Surveys were also collected from five other Midwestern universities. The information gathered from the interviews was used to create the handbook. Two themes emerged from the interviews and surveys. Posters are still the number one source that students cite as how they found out about involvement events. Universities are modifying their leadership programs to be more flexible to work with students' schedules.