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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 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 College of Natural Resources is pleased to announce that Dr. Tony Rosselli has been promoted to director of the professional golf management (PGM) program in the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management (@ncstateprtm). 

“I am extremely honored to have been given this opportunity. I care deeply about our students, and our team is committed to providing them with a wonderful experience as they finish their degrees here at NC State."

Dr. Rosselli joined NC State in 2021 as the internship coordinator and director of player development for the PGM program. During his time in the college, he has played a key role in mentoring PGM students and enhancing player development.

Click the link in our bio to learn more about Dr. Rosselli.
The Super Bowl has become one of the biggest sporting events in the world, with more than 100 million people watching the game every year. 🏈

Dr. Mike Edwards from #NCStateCNR's Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management (@ncstateprtm) breaks down the socioeconomic impact of the annual championship game.

“I don’t think there’s any question that the NFL is the Super Bowl’s biggest winner when it comes to who’s making the most money from the event. It’s a commercial success for them.” 

🔗: Check out the link in our bio for the full story.
Caribou Coffee from Elements Café + the Natural Resources Library = The perfect study combination. 📚🐾
Meet George Ivey, a 2021 master's degree graduate of #NCStateCNR's parks, recreation, tourism and sport management program. Today, George serves as the North Carolina development director for the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation, working out of the foundation’s Asheville, North Carolina office.

After Hurricane Helene, the Blue Ridge Parkway experienced unprecedented damage as a result of Hurricane Helene, and George has been on the frontline of recovery efforts. 

“I’m truly grateful to every person from near and far who has donated time or money to support the recovery efforts, not just for the Parkway and Parkway communities, but for every person and place affected by Hurricane Helene. The needs are widespread and significant.”

Check out the link in our bio to learn more about George's journey.

@ncstateprtm @ncstateonline
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.