Leaders of a post-COVID tomorrow: undergraduate business students' perceptions of leadership education while at university

Following challenges imposed by the COVID-19 health crisis, educators have navigated unprecedented shifts in program delivery, prompting critical reflections on the efficacy of leadership education. Drawing on insights from policy scholars and recent literature, my research highlights a notable gap: while administrators and educators shape post-crisis educational strategies, student voices are frequently excluded from discussions on how leadership and leadership training could be adapted. This qualitative study aims to address this gap by examining how existing university leadership programs align with students' readiness for future professional roles and leadership aspirations, particularly in a post-pandemic context. By engaging directly with students' insights, gathered through one-one-one interviews with student leaders attending a western Canadian business school, this research documents students' desires for a more inclusive and student-centered approach to leadership education.