The study topic of this dissertation manuscript is the effect a professor's leadership style has on the motivation of a student to attend class and learn new course material. The purpose of this study is to understand how college students are motivated by their professor's type of leadership style, and compare the relationship of each leadership style to the students' motivation level. The guiding theoretical framework of this study is the differences in leadership styles and how they influence their followers in different sectors of the business environment. Each leadership style (transformational, transactional, and laissez-faire) has been researched in the past in both the business and education sectors. The research methodology of this study is a quantitative correlational research method that employs both the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire and two 5-point Likert scale questions. These survey tools were utilized to anonymously survey 47 undergraduate students who attend Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas. The IBM SPSS statistical software was utilized to analyze the results of the students' answers. Three research questions and hypotheses were tested to answer whether each leadership style affected the motivation of a student to attend class and learn new course material. The only statistical relationship that existed was the transformational leadership style and the motivation level of the students. The transactional and laissez-faire leadership styles did not have a statistical relationship with the students' motivation. These results indicate the important influence of the transformational leadership style and its positive effect on a follower's motivation. This research can be utilized in the education sector to understand how a professor's leadership style can positively affect their students. Future studies can be done with other college students at different universities throughout the world, to adequately train professors. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com.bibliotheek.ehb.be/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]