Chancellor’s Leadership Development Program

Chancellor’s Leadership Development Program

The Chancellor’s Leadership Development Program (CLDP) seeks to support incoming first-year students who are first-generation college students and/or are from rural counties within North Carolina. Students from all colleges within NC State University are accepted into the program. CLDP is structured as a two-year program, with an optional third year, to help students maximize their leadership skills through experiential learning and self-discovery.

Meet our current and former students

Program Overview

Each fall, 20-25 incoming, first-year students are selected to form a cohort of the Chancellor’s Leadership Development Program. The program requires attendance and participation on a weekly basis for a variety of opportunities, some of which are listed below. Students should expect to commit at least two hours per week to program components.

First Year Opportunities

  • Weekly seminars (Wednesdays from 1:15-2:45pm) on a variety of topics including: academic success, personal transition as a first-generation college student, values-based leadership theory, self-advocacy as a college student, financial literacy, and more
  • Weekend retreat off campus
  • Monthly small group meetings with a faculty/staff mentor pair
  • Monthly one-on-one advising sessions with a Shelton Leadership Center staff member
  • Monthly one-on-one peer coaching with a sophomore or junior in the Chancellor’s Leadership Development Program
  • Events with Chancellor and Mrs. Woodson at their NC State residence
  • Shelton Leadership Center programs such as the Shelton Speaker Series and the Shelton Leadership Forum

Second Year Opportunities

  • Match with faculty or professional mentor in field of study or career field of interest
  • Collaborative research project with faculty or professional mentor
  • Domestic service trip exploring a social issue in depth
  • Leadership roles within the Chancellor’s Leadership Development Program
  • International study abroad trip with funding support from the Shelton Leadership Center OR financial support to participate in an internship, alternative break program, or other study abroad program through NC State

Third Year Opportunities

  • Match with professional mentor in field of study or career field of interest as part of an internship for credit or independent study for credit
  • Leadership roles within the Chancellor’s Leadership Development Program
  • International study abroad trip with funding support from the Shelton Leadership Center OR financial support to participate in an internship, alternative break program, or other study abroad program through NC State

View our 2020 booklet for more information about our students and past program opportunities.

CLDP Application Process

The application process for the 2022-2024 cohort will be available in the spring via PackAssist for students who qualify for the program/scholarship. Applications are due April 11, 2022.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: Where can I find the components that are needed for the application?

A: All application components are on PackAssist. Pack Assist requires students to create a profile when logging for the first time. Students who meet the program criteria (first-generation college student or from a rural North Carolina county) can access the CLDP application from two locations within Pack Assist. When students first login, they will land on their applications and can click the one for CLDP. Or, if students are on their Pack Assist dashboard, the application shows under “Needs Attention”.

Q: I am a recipient of the Chancellor’s Leadership Scholarship. Am I required to apply for the Chancellor’s Leadership Development Program to keep my scholarship?

A: No. The Chancellor’s Leadership Scholarship is a separate opportunity at NC State and is not tied to this program. Students who receive the Chancellor’s Leadership Scholarship are welcome to apply to this program, which is a separate process. 

Q: Is there a cost to apply or participate?

A: No. There is no application cost. Participation in the required aspects of the programs are 100% paid for by the Shelton Leadership Center. There are optional components of the program that may require minimal cost. 

Q: When you’re in this program, is there a lot of conflict with classes and activities at State?

A: Not usually. Program events and meetings are mostly scheduled around student schedules and availability. We have a flexible policy for students to be able to attend class, work, and be involved with extracurriculars in addition to CLDP. Students can expect to commit 1-2 hours per week to CLDP activities. 

Q: Are any of the students on a sports team and find difficulty having balance?

A: We have had student athletes in CLDP in the past and it’s absolutely possible to do both. Our staff is happy to make adjustments and accommodations to make CLDP work with student athlete demands. 

For more information about the CLDP application process, please contact Tania Gavino-Lopez, Graduate Assistant for CLDP.

Mentorship through the Chancellor’s Leadership Development Program

An integral aspect of our program is the opportunity to connect with faculty, staff, and external professional mentors. Each student will be matched with a minimum of four mentors during their two-three years in the program. During the first-year of the program, students will be placed in groups of 3-5 cohort members and matched with 2 faculty/staff group mentors. These groups will meet monthly from August through March, focusing on acclimation to NC State and application of program seminars.

During the second and third year of the program, each student will be matched with an individual mentor who might be a faculty member on campus in their intended major or a professional external mentor in their chosen field of study.

Group Mentors

  • Jill Anderson, Coordinator of Advising, Department of Biological Sciences, College of Sciences
  • Molly Basedo Mountjoy, Coordinator for New Student Programs, New Student Programs
  • Dr. Laura Bottomely, Director of Women in Engineering and The Engineering Place, College of Engineering
  • Dr. Lisa Bullard, Teaching Professor/Director of Undergraduate Studies, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, College of Engineering
  • Dr. Jo-Ann Cohen, Professor of Mathematics, College of Sciences,
  • Dr. Jason Coupet, Assistant professor, College of Humanities and Social Sciences
  • Dr. John Dole, Associate Dean and Director of Academic Programs, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
  • Bradford Hill, Clinical Counselor, Counseling Center
  • Dr. Wendy Krause, Associate Professor, Textile Engineering, Chemistry, and Science, Wilson College of Textiles
  • Lisa Marshall, Director of Outreach, Retention, ad Engagement, Lecturer, Adviser, College of Engineering
  • Dr. Carrie McLean, Assistant Dean and Director of Advising, University College
  • Dr. Stacy Nelson, Interim Associate Dean for Diversity and Inclusion, Professor, College of Natural Resources
  • Latasia Priest, Associate Director of Development, College of Textiles
  • Maggie Puryear, Associate Director of Undergraduate Programs, Marine, Earth, and Atmospheric Sciences, College of Sciences
  • Dr. Saundra Wall Williams, Adjunct Professor, College of Education

Individual Mentors

  • Dr. Jose Ascencio-Ibanez, Teaching Assistant Professor, Department of Molecular and Structural Biochemistry, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, College of Sciences, NC State University
  • Dr. Lynne Baker-Ward, Professor, Department of Psychology, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, NC State University
  • Dr. Laura Bottomley, Director of Women in Engineering and the Engineering Place, College of Engineering, NC State University
  • Tayah Butler, Director of Diversity and Inclusion, Undergraduate Programs, Poole College of Management, NC State University
  • Mitch Caldwell, Associate Architect, Clark Patterson Lee
  • Jon Jasper, Associate Professor, Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management, College of Natural Resources, NC State University
  • Ignacio Cerdena, MD Psychiatry Resident, Yale School of Medicine
  • Stacey Colbert, FNP-BC, WHNP-BC Nurse Practitioner, Student Health Services-Gynecology Services, NC State University
  • Dr. Jacqueline Cole, Assistant Professor, Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, NC State University
  • Dr. Jason Coupet, Assistant Professor, College of Humanities & Social Sciences, NC State University 
  • Dr. Fred Cubbage, Professor, Forestry and Environmental Resources, College of Natural Resources, NC State University
  • Dr. Marie Davidian, Professor, Department of Statistics, College of Sciences, NC State University
  • Dr. Diane Deresienski, Veterinarian, Bowman Animal Hospital and Cat Clinic
  • Jennie Dirienzo, Coordinator, Tax Analytics and Technology Program and Professor of Practice, Poole College of Management, NC State University  
  • Nicole DiTillo, Program Director, NC State College Advising Corps, NC State University 
  • Leandro Durand, Systems Engineer, Lockheed Martin
  • Crystal Espey, Teaching Fellows Coordinator, College of Education, NC State University
  • Dr. William Flowers, Professor of Animal Science, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, NC State University
  • Dr. Shaefny Grays, Interim Director, Community for Diversity, College of Natural Resources, NC State University
  • Dr. Allison Greene, Assistant Professor, Sociology and Anthropology, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, NC State University
  • Dr. Liara Gonzalez, Assistant Professor, Gastroenterology and Equine Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, NC State University
  • Dr. Nora Haenn, Associate Professor, College of Humanities & Social Sciences, NC State University 
  • Brooke Harward, Angus farmer, Harward Sisters
  • Dr. Helmut Hergeth, Associate Professor, Wilson College of Textiles, NC State University
  • Rebeckah Hollowell, Environmental Scientist, Moffatt & Nichol
  • Haley Hughes, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist and Sport Psychologist
  • Dr. Alli Irving, Assistant Director, Counseling Center, NC State University
  • Whitney Jones, Assistant Professor, Department of Biological Sciences, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, NC State University
  • Dana King, Principal, Millbrook High School
  • Dr. Kelly Laraway, Director, Career Development Center, NC State University
  • Jeremy Lea, Community Director, University Housing, NC State University
  • Stacey Lee, Research Chemist, RTI International
  • Carol Lewis, Officer in Crime Prevention and Community Relations Unit, NC State University Police Department
  • Gabrielle Marshall, Global Assurance Analyst II, VF Corporation
  • Victoria Martin, Director, Exploratory Studies Village, NC State University
  • John Mazzarino, Founder and Managing Principal, Cherokee Financial
  • Chester Miller, Director, Living and Learning Initiatives, NC State University
  • Jennifer Murphy, Civil Engineer, Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc.
  • Ashley Nash, Graduate Assistant, Counseling Center, NC State University
  • Dr. Elizabeth Nelson, Comm 110 Director, Department of Communications, NC State University
  • Carol Nix, Director, NCSU Crafts Center, NC State University 
  • Anna Pabon, Non Profit Coordinator, Center for Child and Family Health
  • Dr. Heather Patisaul, Professor and Researcher, Department of Biological Sciences, College of Sciences, NC State University
  • Mitch Peele, Senior Director of Public Policy, NC Farm Bureau
  • Dr. Yezmin Perilla-Young, Genetic Counselor, UNC Chapel Hill
  • Jennifer Piercy, Director of Student Recruiting, Puget Sound Energy
  • Dr. Matt Poore, Professor, Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, NC State University
  • Deion Oaks, Client Services Representative, EcoFlo
  • Charnessa Ridley, Training and Communications Coordinator, North Carolina Coalition Against Sexual Assault
  • Victoria Rodriguez, Electrical Engineer, Microsoft
  • Anne Ruminjo, MD, MPH, Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina 
  • Jeff Sackaroff, Director of Career Services, Wilson College of Textiles, NC State University  
  • Grady Shields, Environmental Lawyer, Wyrick Robbins Law Firm
  • Gab Smith, Executive Director, CAM Raleigh
  • Dr. Leslie Sombers, Assistant Professor, College of Sciences, NC State University
  • Sara Steffen, Director of Conservation, Piedmont Wildlife Center
  • Dr. Carrie Thomas, Research Associate Professor, Department of Marine, Earth, and Atmospheric Sciences, College of Sciences, NC State University
  • Hawa Tuli, Project Operations Associate, Palladium
  • Nicole Villarreal, Graduate Teaching Assistant, College of Textiles, NC State Unviersity
  • Derrick Waller, Engineer, Kimley Horn
  • Kallie Weinand, Genetic Counselor
  • Jann Westfall, Retired Brand President, Levi’s Strauss and Company
  • Jess Westmoreland, High School English Teacher
  • Dr. Karen Young, Assistant Dean and Director of Undergraduate Programs, College of Humanities and Social Science, NC State University
  • Barbara Zelter, Senior Lecturer, School of Social Work, College of Humanities & Social Sciences, NC State University 

The Chancellor’s Leadership Development Program Advisory Committee

An integral aspect of our program is the leadership and input of the Advisory Committee. The group meets three times per calendar year to provide feedback and advisement on all program aspects.

Current Members

  • Jill Anderson, Coordinator of Advising, Department of Biological Sciences, College of Sciences
  • Kathy Titus Becker, Director Women in Science and Engineering
  • Arnold Bell, Director, Career Development Services
  • Dr. Jason Bocarro, Professor, Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management
  • Dr. Laura Bottomely, Director of Women in Engineering and The Engineering Place, College of Engineering
  • Iliana Claudio, CLDP Student Alumna, College of Sciences
  • Dr. Jo-Ann Cohen, Professor of Mathematics, College of Sciences
  • Dr. John Dole, Associate Dean and Director of Academic Programs, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
  • Dr. Tammy Gordon, Associate Professor, College of Humanities and Social Sciences
  • Dr. Wendy Krause, Associate Professor, Textile Engineering, Chemistry, and Science, Wilson College of Textiles
  • Lisa Labarbera-Mascote, Director, Women’s Center
  • Carol Nix, Director, NC State Crafts Center
  • Alexis Rutledge, CLDP Student Alumna, College of Engineering
  • Dr. Barb Sherry, Professor, Veterinary Medicine Department of Molecular Biomedical Science
  • Dr. Paola Sztajn, Professor, College of Education
  • Susan Woodson, NC State University

For more information about the program, please contact Tania Gavino-Lopez.