Managing Extracurricular Activities to Foster Leadership and Civic Awareness among Students at Thaksin University

Abstract

This research aims to examine the management of extracurricular activities that enhance student leadership as active citizens at Thaksin University. A qualitative research approach was employed to gather in-depth insights. Data were collected through interviews with five student leaders from the Faculty of Education Student Club, two key informants including the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and the course coordinator, as well as participant observation of 60 students enrolled in the course “Education for Citizenship and Teaching Methods Based on Communities of Learning and Citizenship” while they engaged in extracurricular activities.

            The findings revealed that effective extracurricular activity management should actively involve students in all phases—planning, implementation, and reflection. Activities that promote leadership most effectively include volunteer work and community service projects that allow students to engage directly with real social issues and take on authentic leadership roles. Integration of extracurricular experiences with academic content and continuous mentoring by instructors or facilitators were also found to be essential in fostering responsible and civic-minded leadership. The role of support systems, including clear guidelines, training for activity facilitators, and institutional backing, was identified as a critical success factor in sustaining meaningful student engagement.