From Skill-Building to Statewide Change: How NDSU Extension Leadership Programs Change Lives and Communities

This evaluation examined relationships between participation in NDSU Extension Leadership and Civic Engagement programs and leadership-related outcomes. Findings reflect self-reported data and identify statistically significant associations rather than direct causation.

Comparisons between participants and nonparticipants strengthen interpretation, while analysis of program dosage provides insight into how outcomes vary with level of engagement. Results should be interpreted as evidence of public value and program effectiveness within real-world community contexts, influenced by individual motivation, local opportunity structures, and community size.

This evaluation was guided by an outcomes-based framework that connects leadership education to real-world community impact. NDSU Extension LCE programs include workshops, facilitated processes, and multi-month leadership development experiences delivered across the state.

The evaluation framework connects program inputs and outputs to outcomes measured across three levels:

• Short-term outcomes: Improved leadership skills, including problem solving, communication, decision-making, and confidence to pursue elected or appointed roles.
• Intermediate outcomes: Increased participation in leadership roles, partnerships, and community planning efforts.
• Long-term outcomes: Greater involvement in policy development, sustained civic engagement, and perceived community impact.

This approach reflects Extension’s role as a public service entity focused on applied learning, local leadership capacity, and community vitality rather than isolated individual outcomes.

• Statewide, IRB-exempt evaluation study (NDSU IRB0005490)
• Online survey administered via Qualtrics
• 310 total respondents with connections to North Dakota communities
• Measures included leadership skills, civic engagement, leadership roles, community planning, policy involvement, and perceived community impact
• Analysis examined both participation status and level of program involvement (program dosage)

This design allows for comparison between participants and nonparticipants and provides insight into how increased exposure to leadership programming is associated with stronger outcomes.

This evaluation reflects responses from 310 adults with connections to North Dakota communities, including both individuals who participated in NDSU Extension Leadership and Civic Engagement programs and a comparison group of nonparticipants. Including both groups allows for clearer interpretation of how leadership programming is associated with differences in skills, engagement, and community involvement.

Respondents represented a range of educational backgrounds and leadership experiences. While many held a bachelor’s degree or higher, a substantial portion reported that NDSU Extension was their primary source of leadership training. This indicates that Extension programming plays a distinct role in leadership development rather than simply duplicating other training opportunities.

Participants reported varying levels of engagement across LCE programs, from short workshops to intensive, multi-month leadership experiences. This variation in program dosage made it possible to examine how outcomes differ with level of participation, providing insight into how depth and duration of programming relate to leadership development.

Importantly, the majority of respondents live in rural communities, farms, and ranches, with over half residing in places with fewer than 2,500 people. This rural concentration reflects Extension’s reach into smaller communities where leadership capacity and civic engagement are critical to local decision-making and community sustainability.

NDSU Extension Leadership and Civic Engagement program participants gain practical tools and use them.

Evidence Snapshot

• Participants outperformed nonparticipants in four key skill areas: problem solving (p < .001), creating change (p < .001), communication (p < .014) and decision-making (p < .001).
• Participants were 2.6x more likely to adopt new leadership or community practices (Exp(B) = 2.64, p < .01).
• More LCE programming meant more crediting the experience with developing participants’ leadership skills (r = 0.43, p < .001).

What This Means for My Community

Participants leave with stronger leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills. They have the tools that equip them to take action.

NDSU Extension Leadership and Civic Engagement program participants have increased leadership confidence.

Evidence Snapshot

• Participants are 1.83x more likely to participate in community partnerships (Exp(B) = 1.83, p < .05).
• Participants experienced a 20% increase per program dose in feeling empowered to run for office (Exp(B) = 1.20, p < .001).
• Participants are 2.2x more likely to hold leadership roles (Exp(B) = 2.16, p < .01).
• Rural participants were 4x more likely to engage in leadership roles than those from towns with populations of 2,500-24,999 (Exp(B) = .25, p < .01).
• Rural participants were 3.4x more likely to engage in policy development than those from towns with populations of 2,500-24,999 (Exp(B) = .29, p < .05).

What This Means for My Community

Trained individuals are more likely to join boards, organize projects and step into decision-making roles.

NDSU Extension Leadership and Civic Engagement program participants turn learning into action.

Evidence Snapshot

• Participants are 1.98x more likely to be involved in community planning (Exp(B) = 1.98, p < .01).
• Participants experienced a 13% increase per program dose in the likelihood of being involved in community planning (Exp(B) = 1.13, p < .01).

What This Means for My Community

Engaged participants move from conversation to action by getting involved in community planning and strategy.

NDSU Extension Leadership and Civic Engagement program participants lead with stronger voices and greater changes.

Evidence Snapshot

• 28% of participants were involved in community and organizational policy efforts (χ² = 7.12, p < .01).
• Participants felt they made a bigger difference in their communities (p < .001).
• The more LCE activities participants took part in, the more they felt they were making a difference in their communities (r = .173, p < .05).

What This Means for My Community

Participants who take part in more LCE programming report greater confidence in creating local change.