Research in Post-Compulsory Education Vol. 13, No. 3, October 2008, 251–266 ISSN 1359-6748 print/ISSN 1747-5112 online © 2008 Further Education Research Association DOI: 10.1080/13596740802354252 http://www.informaworld.com Leadership skills of first-year students at public universities in Jordan Aieman Ahmad Al-Omari*, Abdullah Mohammad Abu Tineh and Samer Mohammad Khasawneh Faculty of Educational Sciences, The Hashemite University, Zarqa, Jordan Taylor and Francis RPCE_A_335592.sgm (Received 17 January 2008; final version received 23 July 2008) 10.1080/13596740802354252 Research in Post-Compulsory Education 1359-6748 (print)/1747-5112 (online) Original Article 2008 Taylor & Francis 13 3 000000October 2008 Aieman AhmadAl-Omari aieman66@hotmail.com The purpose of this study was to examine the pre-college leadership skills of first-year students and examine differences by gender on eight distinct scales. The Student Leadership Outcomes Inventory defined these eight scales. A total of 296 participants were chosen to participate in the study from a population of all first-year students at a public university in Jordan. Participants reported moderate levels of leadership skills on all eight scales. However, differences by gender were found on the technology scale of the instrument. Overall, it would seem that students matriculate with some intact leadership skills. Administrators might use this baseline skill level when designing leadership development opportunities for students. Keywords: leadership; leadership skills; students; public universities; Jordan Introduction Colleges and universities are focusing on graduating students who will succeed in careers (Braxton et al. 1991; Erwin 1991; Quinn 2004). Colleges and universities have recognised that most high-paying jobs require a college degree and they have adjusted their curricula to reflect the skills needed to earn these jobs (Carnevale 2001). To accomplish this, institu- tions have explored what skills and experiences employers value so that they can provide those skill sets and experiences for students. To some degree the skills and experiences employers seek vary by study. Nevertheless, employers seem to seek certain skills across disciplines such as reading, writing, creative thinking, personal management, group effec- tiveness, organisational effectiveness and leadership (Attinasi 1992a; Grogger and Eide 1994; Kerka 1990; Mittelhauser 1998). In general, employers look for students who have completed a bachelor’s degree and possess a broad skill set (Aksoy 1998). Many employers specifically seek leadership skills among the graduates they hire (Gale 2002; Gerber 2003; Kerka 1990; Stronge 1998; Santosus 2003). In general, employers are more interested in students who are leaders (van Linden and Fertman 1998). A study at Florida State University also found that employers feel it is important for graduates to have leadership experience (Reardon et al. 1998). The literature on leadership skills has also focused on college students (Chambers 1992; Cooper et al. 1994; Cox and Miranda 2003; Cress et al. 2001; Graham and Cockriel 1997; Romero-Aldaz 2001; Skeat 2000; Striffolino and Saunders 1988; Turrentine 2001). This has been due in great part to the belief that the development of leadership skills is one responsibility of higher education. *Corresponding author. Email: aieman66@hotmail.com