Multi-Institutional Study of Leadership
Connecting Research to Transformative Practice

MSL History

The Multi–Institutional Study of Leadership (MSL) was created to enhance institutional practice by better aligning the theory–research–practice cycle. The study emerged as a means to specifically address questions regarding students’ educational needs and to identify elements of the higher education environment that contributed most significantly to leadership outcomes.

MSL Timeline

The first iteration of the study included more than 60,000 participants across 52 institutions.   Today, most benchmark data collections (which take place every three years) include approximately 100 institutions with about 100,000 responses collected.

To date more than 350 institutions with over 610,000 respondents have participated.

The MSL is the largest college student leadership study available and stands out from other higher education studies with its use of theoretically grounded measures.  The impact of MSL extends beyond the arena of leadership education.

The MSL is used by higher education professionals in institutional research; student life; campus climate; diversity, equity & inclusion offices; among others.