Engaging Leaders Program
The College of Natural Resources (CNR) Engaging Leaders Program aims to develop students by equipping them with the confidence and capacity to collaborate with diverse communities.
Each year, we select up to 20 students to participate this unique program. Students do not need to have prior leadership experience, and we value students with a strong desire to grow personally and professionally. The program is open to freshman, off-campus transfer and on-campus transfer students.
About the Program
Throughout the year, Engaging Leaders attend sessions to help them better understand their personal leadership style, strengths and weaknesses. They also learn essential skills for working in diverse groups, communicating effectively, and project planning.
Benefits of Becoming an Engaging Leader
- Become part of our diverse and supportive EL community and build relationships with your CNR peers from around the country and the world
- Learn how you can best utilize and improve your unique skills and strengths to prepare you for future leadership positions both on campus and in the professional world
- Enhance your cultural and social sensitivity and learn to appreciate and encourage diversity and inclusion as both a leader and group member
- Understand different communication styles and develop the skills necessary to work and communicate well with a variety of individuals
- Get connected to community service, professional development, and academic opportunities around the college and all of NC State
- Learn professionalism for academic and work environments, and the skills you need to impress future employers
Key Components of the Program Include:
- Membership in a supportive community of dedicated leaders representing all majors within CNR
- One-on-one mentorship with a Buzzard Fellow
- Tools to help identify personal leadership styles, strengths, and cultural skills
- Mentoring and guidance from coordinator
- Monthly leadership seminars
- Engagement activities such as a networking dinner
The James Buzzard Leadership Development Program has been exemplifying the College`s mission to strives to build the leaders of tomorrow. With the program`s second year well underway, it has been striving to live up to the vision of its namesake, the late James “Jim” Buzzard `76.
The program provides numerous field trips, professional development opportunities and community mentors. The community mentors significantly helped students, including alumnus Banks Cathey, who was hired by his mentor and now works as a development assistant at the @wolfpackclub.
“A key teaching point from the program that I’ve been able to apply to my current role is the importance of authenticity. In a relationship-driven industry like development, authenticity is crucial for building rapport and strengthening relationships.” —Banks Cathey `24, sport management (@ncstateprtm)
Check out the link in our bio to see how the program has helped Banks and other alumni from the first cohort.
📸: Dr. Jason Bocarro (center), program founder and professor of parks, recreation and tourism management, with the first cohort of Buzzard Fellows at the Randy Nelson Decision Center.
NC State alumnus Ting-Feng Yeh has returned to the College of Natural Resources as an associate professor of forest biomaterials (@ncstatefb). 🌱🔬
In his first semester at NC State, Yeh continues to advance his research on the properties and chemical applications of biomass materials, aiming to create renewable and sustainable alternatives to fossil-fuel based materials for industrial purposes. Ting-Feng Yeh teaches courses in forest biomaterial chemistry and is seeking motivated teaching assistants to join his lab.
“Knowing how these biomasses are biochemically synthesized and how they are chemically arranged in the cell wall would provide great opportunities to utilize them more efficiently by adapting more energy-saving and environment-friendly processing steps.”
Click the link in the bio to learn more about Ting-Feng Yeh’s incredible journey and innovative work at NC State.
Meet Jamie Huerta, a 2024-25 Global Change Research Fellow who studies geospatial information science and technology. 📚🌱🔬
With a deep commitment to environmental and social justice, Huerta’s research focuses on nutrient pollution in the Albemarle Sound. By tracking nitrogen sources, she is paving the way for cleaner rivers, safer drinking water, and thriving ecosystems. The SE CASC Global Change Research Fellows Program helps Jamie Huerta gain hands-on experience, connecting with experts, and addressing critical global challenges like extreme weather environments.
“The most fulfilling aspect of being a SE CASC Global Change Research Fellow has been the chance to work alongside a diverse group of researchers and professionals in creating a workshop dedicated to understanding how to manage species movement. Together, we aim to assess the current practices and identify future needs. This teamwork not only broadens my knowledge but also enhances my ability to address conservation challenges in the Southeast.”
Click the link in our bio to learn more about Jamie’s research via @ncseagrant.
Hayden Rudd, a Ph.D. student at NC State College of Natural Resources, has been named a finalist for the prestigious 2025 NOAA John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship Program. 🎉 🌊
For a year, Hayden will serve as a legislative fellow in Congress, applying her knowledge of chemistry, hydrology, and resource management to address coastal and marine policy challenges. This fellowship will further her interest in sustainable water systems and community health, which is already driven by her groundwater pollutants and water resource management studies.
“This opportunity will advance my understanding of how scientific research can best serve the needs of environmental policy makers, which will enhance my ability to contribute to research that actively supports sustainable water management and coastal community health.”
Click the link in the bio to learn more about Hayden`s fellowship program.
Meet doctoral student Muhammad Ikbal Putera. 👋
After years of determination, Ikbal became the first park ranger from Komodo National Park in Indonesia to pursue his doctoral degree in parks, recreation and tourism management (@ncstateprtm). Through his transformative journey to NC State, Ikbal aims to break barriers and inspire others.
"Having the privilege of pursuing a doctoral degree here gives me the opportunity to connect NC State with Indonesians and, most importantly, inspire more park rangers to pursue graduate degrees in parks, recreation, and tourism management. This was my dream, and it came true. If I can do it, so can you."
Check out the link in our bio to read more about Ikbal`s inspiring journey to #NCStateCNR.
Welcome back, Pack! 🐺🐾
We hope everyone has a wonderful start to the new semester. Here`s to new experiences, new goals and new achievements. 📚
Over the past four years, Lauren Pharr has been in search of one of the Southeast’s most endangered species: the red-cockaded woodpecker.
Lauren, a graduate student in the Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources (@ncstatefer), is conducting research on the federally-threatened bird species for her doctoral degree in fisheries, wildlife and conservation biology. Her research primarily focuses on the reproductive success of the species. She is specifically investigating the potential causes of a phenomenon known as partial brood loss, which occurs when some of the nestlings within a brood die.
“It is rewarding to know that whatever information I find will be beneficial to species’ conservation, and I see myself continuing work in the threatened and endangered species space.” —@ldpharr
Check out the link in our bio to learn more about Lauren’s research.
Meet Susannah Weaver, a junior pursuing a bachelor’s degree in parks, recreation and tourism management (@ncstateprtm). 👋
Susannah is currently a member of NC State`s @caldwellfellows program and Impact Delta, a community engagement program in which groups of students work together to address a local social issue through @ncstatesle. Through Impact Delta, Susannah and other students in her group are assisting Habitat for Humanity of Wake County to help create affordable housing.
"The outdoors has continuously been my positive outlet — a space where I can express myself, be present and find peace amid life’s stressors. Whether it’s hiking in the mountains or simply enjoying a local park, nature has a way of rejuvenating my spirit."
Check out the link in our bio to learn more about Susannah.
With nearly $7.5 million in funding, the NC State Christmas Tree Genetics Program is leading a project to accelerate the genetic improvement of Christmas trees across the United States.
📹: Check out some of the highlights of the team’s research.
Meet Cadence Davis, a first-year student who is one of 35 students in the 29th class of the @park_scholarships program.
She`s always been interested in fashion and now she’s combining it with her passion for sustainability. As one of 13 students in the sustainable materials and technology program’s class of 2028, Davis thoroughly enjoys the program`s resources and state-of-the-art equipment.
“It’s a really small major and really tight-knit and there are so many different opportunities that I feel I wouldn’t have gotten had I picked a bigger, more well-known major. Everything is so personalized."
Check out the link in our bio to learn about Cadence`s journey to #NCStateCNR.
