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 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
We`re in a summer state of mind. ☀️
#NCStateOnCampus #FirstDayOfSummer
Our own Dr. Nathalie Lavoine has been awarded the CAREER Award from the National Science Foundation (@nsfgov) to honor her early career work with cellulose nanocrystals.
Lavoine has written and contributed to over 50 peer reviewed publications and has made large strides in the field of sustainable nanomaterials.
“This award not only provides crucial resources to pursue innovative research but also empowers me to mentor the next generation of scientists and scholars."
To learn more about Dr. Lavoine, check out the link in our bio.
Meet Emily Prickett, a recent graduate of the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management (@ncstateprtm). 📚🎓 🥾
Emily is passionate about making a positive impact and sees the potential tourism has to improve the lives of people in different communities.
Before graduation, she worked as a research assistant with NC State Tourism Extension and interned with two different destination marketing organizations. Emily is excited to further her career in tourism marketing, hoping to promote the positive changes she wants to see in the world.
To learn more about Emily, check out the link in our bio.
📸: @em_prickett24
From May 27 through May 30, five graduate students from the college, along with seven NC State Extension Forestry professionals, participated in the Broadening Extension through Student Training (BEST) program—an innovative professional development initiative hosted at @pennstate.
Students had the opportunity to learn directly from seasoned Extension professionals from both Penn State and NC State, gaining insight into the diverse career paths and opportunities available within the Extension system. At the end of the program, students received a certificate recognizing their successful completion of 20 hours of professional training.
To read more about their trip, check out the link in our bio.
Congratulations to our own Dr. Zakiya Leggett, who was recently named to the governing board of the @ecologicalsociety. 🙌
With 30 years of experience in ecological research, mentorship and career development, she continues to make a lasting impact. 🍃🌎
Dr. Leggett has been a driving force in expanding access to ecology and conservation for emerging scholars. Her work with Citizen Science Campus and leadership programs like the Doris Duke Conservation Scholars Program has helped shape the next generation of environmental scientists and advocates.
Click the link in the bio to learn more about Dr. Leggett.
Our campus may be emptier for the summer but our hearts are full upon discovering these little treasures. 🎨 ❤️ #NCStateOnCampus
On this #HeatActionDay, we want to share some helpful tips to staying cool outdoors during extreme heat. ☀️🌲
No. 1: Plan activities for the early morning.
No. 2: Drink plenty of water.
No. 3: Consider water sports.
No. 4: Seek shade.
No. 5: Avoid strenuous activities.
📸: Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area in Hillsborough, NC
🔗 To learn more, check out the link in our bio.
Meet JT Chappell, an NC State alum ‘24 who now serves as the business manager for NC State’s Hodges Wood Products Lab.
With a passion for sustainability and innovation, JT bridges academia and industry to advance sustainable solutions and support student growth. 🌲🌎
“The College of Natural Resources provided me with an interdisciplinary learning environment, which enabled me to develop a diverse range of skills and insights. As a result, I now feel confident in my ability to approach problems from multiple angles and contribute to a more sustainable future.”
Click the link in the bio to learn more about JT Chappell’s journey.
Meet Banks Cathey `24, an NC State alum who turned his passion for sports into a career with the @wolfpackclub. 🐺 🏀
From James Buzzard Leadership Fellow to Wolfpack Club development assistant, Banks shares the importance of networking, integrity, and embracing opportunities.
“Our organization is really unique because we have the opportunity to impact current student-athletes and donors and alumni. We directly impact student athletes by supporting athletic scholarships and facility upgrades.”
Click the link in the bio to read Banks` story.
Meet Dr. Kathryn Stevenson, an associate professor in the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management (@ncstateprtm). She is teaming up with educators to create the Ready, Set, Resilience curriculum, using nature-inspired fables to teach kids how to overcome adversity. 🌎 📚
Through story-telling and trauma-informed activities, students learn to cope, build optimism and support one another after natural disasters.
“What we’ve found is that these fables allow students to explore really heavy topics at a psychologically-safe distance by showing them how nature has adapted to withstand some of the issues they’re dealing with.”
🔗 Click the link in our bio to learn more.
Is it just me, or does spring look good on us? 🌷 #NCStateOnCampus
Congratulations to Dr. Lucian Lucia for recently receiving the prestigious TAPPI 2025 Research & Development Division Award and the William H. Aiken Prize. 🎉
His groundbreaking research continues the legacy of innovation in our Department of Forest Biomaterials (@ncstatefb). These awards celebrate innovation and excellence, inspiring researchers to keep pushing boundaries and chasing new discoveries.
Click the link in the bio to learn more about Dr. Lucian Lucia’s awards.
