Elevate your teamwork skills for academic and professional success. This isn’t just a workshop; it’s a hands-on, four-session experience designed to equip you with practical tools to excel in any team.
You’ll engage with peers from diverse fields, learning a values-based, team-centric approach to leadership. Leverage your unique strengths to build collaborative, cross-functional teams that tackle complex challenges. Becoming a highly effective contributor and leader, these are skills employers truly value.
“I love learning that everybody can be a leader and that we can just open that up because I really don’t think I’ve ever learned that anywhere before.”
Mercedes, Spring 2025 Program Participant
Gain Essential Skills In:
- Self-Awareness & Appreciation for Differences: Understand individual strengths and values for deeper collaboration.
- Trust & Integrity: Lead ethically and create a psychologically safe team environment.
- Teamwork & Communication Mastery: Navigate challenges, define roles clearly, and speak a common language across disciplines.
Ready to enroll?
Our Approach
Learn by Doing
Engage in real-world, hands-on activities.
Broaden Your View
Work with peers from diverse academic fields.
Career Ready
Develop highly-sought after professional skills.
Shared Leadership
Every team member’s potential is recognized.
Growth-Friendly Environment
Learn in a supportive, safe space.
Workshop Details
This program equips you with essential skills for effective interdisciplinary teamwork. Upon completion, you’ll be able to:
- Understand Self & Others: Identify personal and team values, strengths, and experiences, and analyze how they contribute to interdisciplinary success.
- Lead with Integrity: Implement strategies to foster a collaborative and ethical team culture.
- Communicate Ethically: Develop advanced communication skills for leading diverse interdisciplinary teams and multicultural communities.
Pre-Module: Bringing my Values into Interdisciplinary Teams (Online)
This required online module will help you:
- Define interdisciplinarity and understand its benefits.
- Compare interdisciplinarity to other forms of collaboration.
- Identify your personal values and strengths to understand your unique team contributions.
Workshop 1: Defining My Contributions to an Interdisciplinary Team (In-Person)
- Describe how your values and strengths contribute to strong interdisciplinary teams.
- Develop strategies to identify others’ strengths.
- Learn to align contributions with team roles for maximum impact.
Workshop 2: Building an Interdisciplinary Team Culture (In-Person)
- Explain characteristics of a collaborative team culture.
- Learn to recognize and counteract assumptions related to disciplinary roles and other common differences, fostering respectful teams.
Workshop 3: Collaborating Ethically in Interdisciplinary Teams (In-Person)
- Evaluate and justify ethical standards for team behavior.
- Articulate project purpose and impact using inspirational and culturally relevant communication.
Workshop 4: Engaging Communities with Interdisciplinary Teams (In-Person)
- Learn to adapt technical language into common vocabulary for diverse teams.
- Define cultural humility and predict its positive impact on collaborations
Fall 2026 Workshop Dates & Times
Fall 2026 program applications are not yet open. Please sign up for our interest form below to be notified via email when applications open!
| Track | Audience | Dates | Times | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Track 1 | Undergraduate Students | Tuesdays: Sept. 22, Oct. 6, Oct. 27, Nov. 10 | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM | NC State Campus Location TBD |
| Track 2 | Undergraduate Students | Fridays: Sept. 25, Oct. 9, Oct. 23, Nov. 6 | 12:30 PM – 2:30 PM | NC State Campus Location TBD |
| Track 3 | Graduate Students & Post-Docs | Saturdays: Sept. 26, Oct. 10, Oct. 24, Nov. 7 | 9:30 AM – 12:30 Pm | NC State Campus Location TBD |
| Track 4 | Graduate Students & Post-Docs | Thursdays: Oct. 1, Oct. 15, Oct. 29, Nov. 12 | 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM | NC State Campus Location TBD |
Interested in a custom workshop?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Thriving in Interdisciplinary Teams Workshop Series?
The Thriving in Interdisciplinary Teams Workshop Series is a multi-session program designed to help students build practical career skills such as effective communication, teamwork, and ethical decision making.
Who is eligible to participate?
All current NC State students are eligible to participate. However, some tracks are limited to undergraduate students while others are primarily for graduate students.
How do I apply?
Participants typically apply through our online application. Instructions and deadlines are also shared via email and on our website.
Is there a cost to participate?
No. Thanks to the generous support of our sponsors and donors, including the NC State University Foundation, the Thriving in Interdisciplinary Teams Workshop Series is offered at no cost to participants.
How many sessions are included in the series?
The workshop series includes four sessions held over several weeks. The exact dates will be shared in advance, but they vary based on the track that participants sign up for.
Am I required to attend all sessions?
Yes. Because the workshops build on one another and rely on group discussion and collaboration, participants are expected to attend all sessions.
What if I have a scheduling conflict?
If you anticipate a conflict, you should contact our team as early as possible. Accommodations are limited and not guaranteed.
Will I receive a certificate or recognition for completing the series?
Yes. Participants who complete all four sessions will receive a certificate of completion. You will also receive tips for adding the experience and relevant skills to your resume or other professional documents.
What is the time commitment outside of workshop sessions?
In addition to attending workshops, participants will be asked to complete brief reflection activities between sessions. These typically require 20 to 30 minutes to complete.
What sorts of activities will we do during the workshops?
Workshops are highly interactive and may include small-group discussions, case studies, hands-on activities, and reflection exercises.
Are the workshops in person or virtual?
Our workshops are only offered in-person.
Do I need prior leadership experience?
No prior leadership experience is required. The series is designed for students at all stages of their leadership journey.
Will I be working with students from other disciplines?
Yes. Our workshops intentionally bring together students from diverse academic backgrounds to promote interdisciplinary learning.
How does this workshop series help me work towards my career goals?
The workshop series helps students develop practical leadership skills—such as communication, collaboration, and problem-solving—that are directly applicable across industries and career paths. Participants will also gain experience working in interdisciplinary teams and reflecting on how their strengths and values align with their professional goals.
How often are the workshops offered?
The workshops are offered every semester. Additionally, several tracks are offered every semester as well, giving students multiple opportunities to participate in the workshops.
How are participants selected?
Participants are selected based on their willingness to engage with peers from different disciplines and their interest in developing practical leadership skills.
What happens if I’m accepted but can no longer participate?
If your circumstances change, please notify our team as soon as possible so another student may be offered the opportunity.
How will I receive program updates and reminders?
All communication will be sent via email, so participants should regularly check their inbox and spam folder.
Will food be provided?
Thirty minutes prior to the first workshop, participants will be offered food and the chance to interact with the members of their cohort. During future sessions, participants will be provided with snacks only. Dietary restrictions will be accommodated to the extent possible.
Who can I contact if I have questions?
If you have any questions, concerns, or require accommodations, you can contact Yampiere Lugo-Acosta at yolugoac@ncsu.edu.