The James Buzzard Leadership Development Program was initiated through a generous donation from James “Jim” Buzzard, an alumnus of the College of Natural Resources and the former president of MeadWestvaco. Through observation, Jim believed that many leaders, despite their mystique and ability to inspire great things, wonder how they developed the skills to become such figureheads in their organizations.
Jim concluded that outstanding leadership, like any other skill, can be learned. Good leaders have taken the time to develop their craft, clarifying their core beliefs and cultivating their ability to inspire others. They have discovered how to uncover the energy and talents of diverse people and channel them into the pursuit of a common vision. They have practiced the art of team building, enforcing essential principles, when necessary, but always ensuring that all team members are active and productive members of the group. Outstanding leaders change the world through vision, hard work, creativity and the careful service of others.
The James Buzzard Leadership Development Program is built on Jim’s vision to help undergraduate students further their interests in leadership and hone their skills so that they leave NC State as budding leaders capable of guiding teams to success in whatever careers they pursue.
Using an inspirational case-based learning approach, combined with personal interactions with leaders across various fields and a focus on leadership development through readings, reflections and hands-on activities, this year-long program gives students who complete it a greater understanding of their potential and new confidence in what they can accomplish.
Program Components
Collaborative leadership project
Individualized sessions with a professional coach
Leadership seminar series and the opportunity to meet influential leaders
Access to a community mentor
Three to four field trips to meet with the leadership of various organizations
Networking dinner with community leaders
Biweekly seminars
Health coaching sessions
Self-awareness personality inventory
Ropes course
Student Opportunities
Build your resume to make you more competitive
Apply your leadership skills through various opportunities
Meet and engage with industry leaders
Partner with a community mentor
Participate in field trips to visit the leadership of different companies and organizations
Collaborate with other students to host interactive seminars
Enjoy free professional development resources
Application Information
Applications for the 4th cohort of James Buzzard Leadership Fellows will open up in January 2026.
Admission Criteria
The program is limited to no more than 20 students per cohort.
Students must be willing to commit to the full academic year (August-May) and must be a junior or senior. Sophomores with leadership experience may be considered.
Please contact Jason Bocarro, director of the James Buzzard Leadership Development Program, at buzzardleadership@ncsu.edu to learn more.
Growing Tomorrow’s Leaders
The James Buzzard Leadership Development Program is preparing students to be innovative, socially responsive, ethical and mindful leaders ready to positively impact their communities.
Through hands-on experiences and field trips, students gain the skills and knowledge to graduate prepared to lead. See where are students have been!
Women’s Basketball Game
USFS
Randy Nelson Training Center
Natural Resources Foundation Dinner
DC
Carter-Finley Stadium
Capital One Arena at DC
British Embassy
Washington DC Trip
Randy Nelson Training Center
Ropes Course
Washington DC Trip
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of 13
2025-26 Buzzard Fellows
Sidney Boaz
Sidney Boaz is a senior majoring in Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology with a concentration in Wildlife Science. This past summer she had the opportunity to participate in an undergraduate research project and complete an internship at Yates Mill Aquatic Conservation Center, working with freshwater mussels and various conservation efforts that directly affect North Carolina’s native aquatic populations. Sidney is excited to learn valuable leadership skills and broaden her knowledge about the College of Natural Resources through the James Buzzard Leadership Development Program.
Will Craig
Will Craig is a rising senior majoring in sport management with a minor in business administration. He grew up in Charlotte, North Carolina, where he developed a love for football. At NC State, he played two years on the club flag football team and briefly served as vice president on its executive board. He now works with the NC State football team as a student equipment manager and hopes to work in player personnel for an NCAA or NFL organization. Outside of class, he serves as a Poole Peer Leader and was recently named to its executive board. He also enjoys time with his fraternity brothers. Craig is excited to join the James Buzzard Leadership Development Program to grow as a leader, build relationships and learn from industry professionals.
Kate Creech
Kate Creech is a senior from Greensboro, North Carolina, majoring in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management with a concentration in Tourism and Event Management. She is passionate about creating long-lasting experiences for others, and values opportunities to connect with and learn from new people. Through her involvement in the Tourism Management Association, intramural sports, and her role as the College of Natural Resources recruitment intern, she continues to build communication and teamwork skills to support her goal in becoming a leader within the tourism industry. Kate looks forward to learning from the James Buzzard Leadership Development Program through personal development workshops and collaboration with experienced leaders and her peers.
Riley Fields
Riley Fields is a senior double majoring in Sport Management and Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing. She is originally from Raleigh, North Carolina but also spent time in Atlanta, Georgia. Riley works as a Recruiting Assistant for the NC State Football Team and as an intern for the Master of Engineering Management program. On campus, she is an active member of Kappa Kappa Gamma and Kappa Alpha Pi, while also serving as a University Ambassador. Following her passion for sports, Riley aims to leverage her marketing, business, and sport management educational background to establish a career in sports – whether on the business side or within collegiate or professional athletics. She is excited for the growth and learning opportunities within the James Buzzard Leadership Development Program.
Abby Hickman
Abby Hickman is a junior pursuing a dual major in Paper Science and Engineering (PSE) and Chemical Engineering. Originally from Lexington, Virginia, she has completed two summer internships with International Paper in Franklin, Virginia. At NC State, Abby serves as a College of Natural Resources (CNR) Ambassador, a PSE Recruitment Intern, a member of the Pulp and Paper Advisory Board’s Student Advisory Committee, and the Prenight Coordinator for the Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry (TAPPI). As a James Buzzard Leadership Fellow, she is eager to engage with the CNR network and enhance her leadership abilities through learning from a diverse array of professionals across the industry.
Hanna Hoeing
Hanna Hoeing is a senior from Allentown, Pennsylvania, majoring in Sport Management with minors in Business Administration and Psychology. She is a student manager for the women’s basketball team at NC State and is surrounded by exceptional leadership every day. This fall, she will intern with the NC State Athletics Department in facilities and game-day operations department. She is passionate about the behind-the-scenes aspects of sports and is excited to further develop her leadership and operations experience. Hanna looks forward to learning from industry professionals and continuing to grow as a future leader in the sports industry, where she can learn more about herself and build new relationships.
McNeill Jordan
McNeill Jordan is a junior from Matthews, North Carolina, studying Environmental Sciences, focusing on Environmental Restoration, with minors in History and Environmental Technology and Management. Last year, he interned at NC State through the campus as a Classroom Program as a Sustainable Landscape Practices Intern and served as a Peer Leader in the Environmental First Year Program. McNeill loves playing sports and spending time outdoors, and he is motivated to protect the environment for the enjoyment of future generations. He hopes to attend law school and practice environmental law. McNeill is looking forward to becoming more connected with different members of the CNR community and developing his leadership skills through active learning opportunities in the James Buzzard Leadership Development Program.
Caitlin Kelly
Caitlin Kelly is a senior from Cape Cod, Massachusetts, majoring in sport management with minors in business administration, entrepreneurship, and global leadership and team decision making. Her education has broadened her understanding of both domestic and international business. Passionate about fitness, sports and travel, she brings that energy into all her work. Caitlin hopes to become a sports agent, combining her interests in sports, finance and global business. She was part of the 2025 Shelton Leadership Center Global Leadership Minor cohort, an experience that deepened her love for travel and strengthened her commitment to purposeful, values-driven leadership. She looks forward to making a meaningful impact through the James Buzzard Leadership Development Program.
Marley Kelly
Marley Kelly is a senior majoring in Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology with a minor in Applied Ecology. Marley is from Hayesville, North Carolina, where she loves to explore the mountains. She is the current president of Leopold Wildlife Club and served as a peer mentor for the TRIO program at NCSU. She worked as an intern at the NC Museum of Natural Sciences and at Wildlands Engineering. Marley is passionate about connecting people with nature and addressing environmental justice issues. After graduation, she hopes to work towards equitable and sustainable solutions to ecological problems. Through the James Buzzard Leadership Program, she hopes to learn how to better connect with communities and develop her personal leadership skills.
Abigail (Abby) Kidder
Abigail (Abby) Kidder is a senior majoring in parks, recreation and tourism management with minors in economics and business administration. Originally from Lenoir, North Carolina, she is passionate about sustainable tourism and community development. She has conducted research with the People-First Tourism Lab and works with NC State Tourism Extension on the Rural Tourism Institute. Abby has interned in hospitality and will join a tourism economics consulting team this summer. On campus, she serves as president of the Tourism Management Association and a team lead for Alternative Service Breaks. She looks forward to growing as a leader through the James Buzzard Leadership Development Program.
Catherine Kirch
Catherine Kirch is a senior from Cary, North Carolina, majoring in sustainable materials and technology with minors in environmental science and marine science. She hopes to use her background to advance industrial sustainability and eco-friendly product development. On campus, she’s been involved in research, student leadership and sustainability initiatives, including a project to recycle 3D printing scraps. This year, she will serve as a James Buzzard Leadership Development Program Fellow, Campus Circularity intern and vice president of the SMT Student Association. She looks forward to growing as a leader and learning from peers and mentors.
Raksha Mahesh
Raksha Mahesh is a senior majoring in Environmental Sciences with a Data Analysis concentration and minoring in Biological Sciences and Economics. She was born and raised in Apex, North Carolina. She has always been passionate about wildlife and natural resources conservation and plans to work in the climate mitigation or corporate sustainability field. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, watching reality tv, and hanging out with her friends. Raksha is excited to join the program and have the opportunity to grow as a leader, along with building relationships with new people.
Alden Mazo
Alden Mazo is a junior from Chattanooga, Tennessee. She is majoring in Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology with a minor in Marine Science. Alden is passionate about the outdoors and spends her free time climbing, running, and backpacking. She has been involved with sea turtle research for the past five years and spends her summers working for the Caretta Research Project, a loggerhead sea turtle conservation project in Georgia. She is particularly interested in the ways humans impact sea turtles and the ways we can continue to develop more successful and efficient ways of managing sea turtle populations. Through the James Buzzard Leadership Development Program, Alden is excited to enhance her leadership skills and become better equipped to tackle challenging environmental issues.
Hannah Miller
Hannah Miller is a senior majoring in Environmental Sciences with a focal area in Natural Resource Policy. Originally from Charlottesville, Virginia, she enjoys the access to environmental stewardship and general appreciation for nature in North Carolina. As a high schooler, she learned about endangered species, water quality, and other environmental issues, which inspired her passion for the environment. Pursuing an interdisciplinary major, she hopes to work in environmental education in the future, either as a teacher at the high school level or through public outreach in a non-governmental organization. Hannah currently serves as Co-President of Epsilon Eta Iota, secretary of Forestry and Environmental Resources Leadership Board (FERLB), and as a CNR Ambassador. Using prior leadership experiences, she hopes to elevate and apply her knowledge as a James Buzzard Leadership fellow.
Rachael Mullins
Rachael Mullins is a senior at NC State, double majoring in Natural Resources (Policy & Administration) and Political Science with a focus on conservation policy. Originally from the Chicago area, she moved to Raleigh to pursue her passion for conservation and public engagement. Rachael has worked as an agricultural research technician studying cover crop sustainability, interned with the NC Department of Agriculture division of Soil and Water Conservation, and helped organize a successful mayoral campaign in Raleigh. A NOLS graduate and active Ducks Unlimited volunteer, she hopes to serve in public office to help conserve America’s public lands. She is joining the James Buzzard Leadership Development Program to connect with fellow young leaders and grow her interdisciplinary collaboration skills.
Hana Robinson
Hana Robinson is a natural resources major with a minor in forestry. A non-traditional student, she transferred from Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte, North Carolina after working as a phlebotomist during COVID-19. Her service with AmeriCorps NCCC inspired her to return to school and pursue an environmental career. She is passionate about conservation, fire ecology and GIS, and plans to combine these interests in graduate school and beyond. A Goodnight Scholar, Hana mentors incoming transfer students, works in an entomology lab, and has researched the historical relationship between Native American communities and fire use. She looks forward to building leadership skills and connecting with peers through the James Buzzard Leadership Development Program.
Catherine Stucker
Catherine Stucker is a senior from Garner, North Carolina, majoring in Sport Management with a minor in Business Administration. She is passionate about sports, leadership, and getting involved in many organizations on campus. Catherine is a Chancellor‘s Aide, a College of Natural Resources Student Ambassador, an intern for Wolfpack Sports Properties, and most recently an intern with USA Baseball. Catherine‘s long term goal is to become a leader in college athletics or for a professional sports team specifically focused on operations, marketing and sport administration. Catherine is looking forward to the connections she will make through this program, along with enhancing her leadership skills, and collaborating with the rest of the James Buzzard cohort.
Emy Tran
Emy Tran is a senior from Staley, North Carolina, double majoring in environmental sciences and fisheries, wildlife and conservation biology, with minors in entomology and applied ecology. She plans to pursue a career in wildlife conservation, advocating for a wide range of species by blending her knowledge of wildlife management and ecological systems. A member of the Goodnight Scholars Program, Emy served as DEI chair for Epsilon Eta Iota, conducted research in multiple NC State labs, and serves as a campus leader intern for the nonprofit Pro-Choice North Carolina. She hopes to earn a graduate degree in conservation biology after graduation. Emy looks forward to broadening her horizons, expanding her leadership skills, and learning from diverse leaders during her time in the James Buzzard Leadership Development Program.
Get to Know the 2024-25 James Buzzard Leadership Program Alumni
Explore the backgrounds, ambitions, and leadership goals of the 2024-25 Fellows. Discover their inspiring journeys and what they aimed to achieve through the program.
