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Engaging Leaders Program

Group of Students - Engaging Leaders Program - College of Natural Resources NC State University

The College of Natural Resources (CNR) Engaging Leaders Program aims to develop students by equipping them with the confidence and capacity to collaborate with new 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 groups, communicating effectively, and project planning.

Benefits of Becoming an Engaging Leader

  • Become part of our 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 ability to encourage and cultivate community and student success 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 a coordinator
  • Monthly leadership seminars
  • Engagement activities such as a networking dinner
Thank you to all of our alumni, friends, faculty and staff for #GivingPack and making this year’s Day of Giving a successful one for the College of Natural Resources! 🎉 Because of you, we:

🔴 Raised $796,485!
⚪ Received 976 gifts!
🔴 Won $1,000 from the 5-6 a.m. “Most Gifts” giving challenge.
⚪ Unlocked $17,000 in donor challenges — including $12,000 toward our new Graduate Student Support Fund.

And we're still counting! With your support, we're stronger today than ever before.
Join us all day today, March 26, for NC State’s annual Day of Giving. You make an impact on our students. ❤️ 🐾

Make sure to follow our Instagram Stories for updates throughout the day on ways to support the college.

🔗: Visit the link in our bio for support areas where you can help current and future students by #GivingPack.
We would love to see your adorable pets on Day of Giving, Wednesday, March 26. ❤️ 🐾

Plan to enter the Pack Pets Challenge from 6-8 p.m. tomorrow and you could help us win an extra $500. #GivingPack

🔗 Visit the link in our bio to check out all the challenges taking place tomorrow and stay tuned to our Instagram Stories throughout the day.
Join us as we come together to support the students and programs that make the NC State College of Natural Resources extraordinary. 🐺🐾

Next week, NC State’s annual Day of Giving will support a multitude of funds that strengthen the college experience for our students. One such fund is the Ronald and Dale Terry Student Assistance and Enrichment Fund, which provides support for students to gain hands-on experience through study abroad opportunities, internships and more. 

🔗 Check out the "Day of Giving Support Areas" link in our bio to learn more about how you can join in #GivingPack on Wednesday, March 26.
Fresh air and blooming flowers. Spring has arrived at NC State. 🌸🌷🌼🧱

#NCStateOnCampus #FirstDayOfSpring
NC State's Day of Giving really shows the power of the Pack. ❤️

This year, we have a new fund to support students in the college: the Natural Resources Graduate Student Support Fund. This fund provides support for #NCStateCNR graduate students by covering tuition and fees, research costs, conferences and travel. Funding is crucial to advancing research, addressing sustainability challenges and attracting top talent to the college. 

🔗 Check out the "Day of Giving Support Areas" link in our bio to learn how you can join in #GivingPack on Wednesday, March 26.
Help us get a head start on NC State Day of Giving by entering the Head Start Challenge today! Complete as many tasks as you can to increase our odds of winning a $1,500 bonus. 

Together, we can make a difference for future students in #NCStateCNR. 🐺 🐾 ❤️ #GivingPack

🔗 Check out the link in our bio to enter the challenge.
Meet @ncstateprtm alumni Jude DesNoyer ‘06 and Katie Butler ‘23, the masterminds behind the new initiative called Centennial Campus Placemaking. 🌳 🏙️

The initiative is designed to engage and welcome the local community to Centennial Campus. A key aspect is the diverse range of programs and events designed to bring people together, like pickleball and monthly hikes to Lake Johnson. 

“Our job is to create a vibrant and active place on Centennial Campus for everyone, not just NC State or NC State faculty, staff and students. We want to be open to our private industry partners and tenants who are on Centennial Campus, as well as the local public.”

Click the link in the bio to learn more about Centennial Campus Placemaking.
Every year, NC State's Day of Giving is a wonderful opportunity for our Pack and friends of the Pack to come together to support our students. ❤️

One Day of Giving fund that directly supports current and future students is the College of Natural Resources Enhancement Fund. This fund provides support for our greatest priorities, including student scholarships, important initiatives like travel to conferences, professional development opportunities, mental health and well-being resources, and more.

🔗 Check out the "Day of Giving Support Areas" link in our bio to learn how you can join in #GivingPack on Wednesday, March 26.
Last night, students in the James Buzzard Leadership Development Program attended a panel discussion on leadership and philanthropy at @drink321coffee on @ncstatecentennial.

Speakers included 321 Coffee’s co-founder and CEO Lindsay Wrege ‘21; David Fox '94 of Goldman Sachs; Dawn Mason, NC State assistant vice chancellor of partnerships; and Bart Nicholson '81, who established the college's Bart and Pam Nicholson Endowed Scholarship. Moderating the panel was Jennifer Piercy, assistant dean for philanthropy in the College of Natural Resources.