This qualitative, interpretive study examined the following three research questions: (a) How do lay leaders at Jesuit institutions of higher education understand Ignatian social justice? (b) What elements of Ignatian formation were most salient for lay leaders' personal and/or professional transformation? and (c) How do lay leaders at Jesuit institutions of higher education discern and act for social justice? The conceptual framework for this study considered Ignatian formation of lay leaders within Jesuit institutions of higher education through the connection of Ignatian social justice and the Ignatian Pedagogical Paradigm. Research paradigms of critical theory and critical hope were also used. Primary data collection was through interviews with 21 lay leaders at Jesuit colleges/universities in the United States. Additional data sources were personal and institutional mission-relevant documents provided by participants. Relevant themes for exploring lay leaders' understanding of Ignatian social justice were identified as (a) connecting "the service of faith" with the "promotion of justice," (b) building authentic community relationships, (c) uprooting and reconciling structures of injustice, and (d) showing personal and institutional integrity. Themes investigating elements of Ignatian formation most salient for lay leaders' personal and/or professional transformation included human environmental context and relationships of accompaniment in the context of "cura personalis" and "cura communis." Finally, themes identifying the ways in which lay leaders at Jesuit institutions of higher education discern and act for social justice included exhibiting traits of Ignatian leadership and mission traits of Jesuit institutions of higher education. Implications for theory and practice, study limitations, and recommendations for future research are also provided. [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.]