Student Programming in Social Justice: Evaluation Through the Counselor’s Lens

A social justice leadership program targeted at undergraduate and graduate students was evaluated through a university-based counselor’s lens. Differences between social justice program participants and a comparison group of nonparticipating students were examined pre-and post-program intervention on measures of Ethnocultural Empathy, Agency, Understanding and Knowledge of social justice issues, and Personal and Professional Beliefs about diversity. No significant differences on any measures were found between the two groups at Time 1 assessment. Significant positive change was found on all measures for the social justice participant group at Time 2. Significant differences between the two groups at Time 2 were found on measures of Ethnocultural Empathy, Agency, Personal Beliefs, and Understanding and Knowledge. This type of “in-house” evaluation is demonstrated to show the application of viable consultation resources located within counseling centers in the academic setting, which could assist in the development and effectiveness of student programs. Providing such consultation services can help foster collaboration among professionals and units within the university and facilitate assessment and accountability for continued program development and administrative support.