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.

Click here to 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, some weeks it will be more.

Students in the first year cohort have the following opportunities, including:

• 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

Click here to view our 2020 year end booklet for more information about our students and past program opportunities.

Students in the sophomore year cohort have access to the opportunities above as well as additional opportunities, including:

• 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

Students in the junior year cohort have additional opportunities, including:

• 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

CLDP Application Process

The application process for the 2021-2023 cohort is now available via PackAssist for students who qualify for the program/scholarship. 

Applications close on Thursday, April 1st 2021. Students who are selected for the program will be notified by late April.

Frequently Asked Questions:

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

A: All application components are on Pack Assist.  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. 

Click here to view the CLDP Virtual Information Session that was held on May 11, 2020.

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.

All current and previous mentors for the Chancellor’s Leadership Development Program are listed below.

Group Mentors

JILL ANDERSON Coordinator of Advising, Department of Biological Sciences, College of Sciences, NC State University

DR. ANNE BEDDINGFIELD Coordinator for Scholarships, Shelton Leadership Center, NC State University

MOLLY BASDEO MOUNTJOY Coordinator for New Student Programs, New Student Programs, NC State University

LAURA BOTTOMLEY Director of Women in Engineering and The Engineering Place, College of Engineering, NC State University

DR. LISA BULLARD Teaching Professor/Director of Undergraduate Studies, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, College of Engineering, NC State University

DR. JO-ANN COHEN Professor of Mathematics, College of Sciences, NC State University

DR. JASON COUPET Assistant Professor, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, NC State University

DR. JOHN DOLE Associate Dean and Director of Academic Programs, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, NC State University

DR. MICHAEL DOMERACKI Shelton Leadership Center Assistant Director, Shelton Leadership Center, NC State University

JENN FENDRICH Program Specialist for Outreach Programs, Shelton Leadership Center, NC State University

BRADFORD HILL Clinical Counselor, Counseling Center, NC State University

DR. WENDY KRAUSE Associate Professor, Textile Engineering, Chemistry, and Science, Wilson College of Textiles, NC State University

SARA LANE Coordinator for Career Services, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, NC State University

LISA MARSHALL Director of Outreach, Retention, ad Engagement, Lecturer, Adviser, College of Engineering, NC State University

DR. CARRIE MCLEAN Assistant Dean and Director of Advising, University College, NC State University

DR. STACY NELSON Interim Associate Dean for Diversity and Inclusion, Professor, College of Natural Resources, NC State University

LATASIA PRIEST Associate Director of Development, College of Textiles, NC State University 

MAGGIE PURYEAR Associate Director of Undergraduate Programs, Marine, Earth, and Atmospheric Sciences, College of Sciences, NC State University

DR. JAMILA SIMPSON Assistant Dean for Academic Programs, Student Diversity and Engagement, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, NC State University

ASHLEY TURLINGTON Assistant Director for Pre-College Programs, Shelton Leadership Center, NC State University

DR. SAUNDRA WALL WILLIAMS Adjunct Professor, College of Education, NC State University

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 CASPER 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

HAYLEY 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

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 Textile, NC State University

DERRICK WALLER Engineer, Kimley Horn

KALLIE WEINAND Genetic Counselor  

JANNICE 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, NC State University

KATHY TITUS BECKER Director, Women in Science and Engineering, NC State University

ARNOLD BELL Director, Career Development Services, NC State University

DR. JASON BOCARRO Professor, Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management, NC State University

LAURA BOTTOMLEY Director of Women in Engineering and The Engineering Place, College of Engineering, NC State University

ILIANA CLAUDIO CLDP Student Alumna, College of Sciences, NC State University

DR. JO-ANN COHEN Professor of Mathematics, College of Sciences, NC State University

DR. JOHN DOLE Associate Dean and Director of Academic Programs, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, NC State University

TAMMY GORDON Associate Professor, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, NC State University

DR. WENDY KRAUSE Associate Professor, Textile Engineering, Chemistry, and Science, Wilson College of Textiles, NC State University

LISA LABARBERA-MASCOTE Director, Women’s Center, NC State University

CAROL NIX Director, NC State Crafts Center, NC State University

ALEXIS RUTLEDGE CLDP Student Alumna, College of Engineering, NC State University

BARB SHERRY Professor, Vet Med (Dept Molecular Biomedical Science), NC State University

PAOLA SZTAJN Professor, College of Education, NC State University

SUSAN  WOODSON NC State University

For more information about the program, please contact Andrea Ramos-Lewis.