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Division of Academic and Student Affairs 
Student Leadership and Engagement

Leader of the Pack

The Leader of the Pack program honors and recognizes students for outstanding contributions in leadership, scholarship, and service.

2024 Recipient of Leader of the Pack

Hannah Morris, Leader of the Pack recipient in 2024, celebrates with her parents on the football field at Carter-Finley Stadium at halftime to receive the award and be recognized. (Photo: Kyle Lewis)

Meet your 2024 Leader of the Pack Finalists

Hannah Morris

Achiever | Positivity | Learner | Individualization | Empathy

Hannah Morris, a Goodnight Scholar from Knightdale, North Carolina, is majoring in Applied Educational Studies with a concentration in Learning Design and Technology at NC State University. She will graduate in the spring of 2025 with minors in Sociology and Leadership. Hannah has demonstrated a passion for inclusivity and leadership throughout her time at NC State. As President of Best Buddies, she helped foster over 100 one-to-one friendships between NC State students and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, significantly impacting the campus and Raleigh community.

Hannah has also served as an Outreach Ambassador for the Goodnight Scholars Program and interned with the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. She actively contributed to her sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha, as part of the Kappa Omicron Chapter’s programming committee. In addition, she led efforts within the College of Education as committee chair for the Student Diversity Programming Board. She guided a fall break trip focused on race, identity, and science exploration.

Hannah is deeply passionate about increasing access and resources for underserved communities, particularly within higher education. After graduating, she plans to pursue a master’s degree in higher education. She aims to work in student affairs, where she can continue to drive positive change and enhance student experiences.
 

Nicholas J. Cooke

Intellection | Futuristic | Competition | Strategic | Input

Nicholas Cooke is a first-generation college student exemplifying the transformative power of dedication. As Ronald E. McNair Scholar, Coelho Law Fellow, and Aubrey Lee Brooks Scholarship recipient, he is deeply committed to equity—driven by an understanding of educational privilege. Previously a middle school educator—and now a senior studying Political Science and History, Nicholas serves as President of the Student Organization Development Ambassadors, where he directs training for over 700 student groups. His recent Habitat for Humanity event leadership reflects his dedication to bridging the gap between privilege and need.

Nicholas’ involvement began as Director of Communications within F1RST, growing as a teaching assistant for Wicked Problems Wolfpack Solutions while working for our Sustainability Office. Recently completing research on atomic power in the Caribbean, Nicholas values language—culminating in his published poetry collection, Stones and Hemlock. As the Founder and CEO of RagTag LLC, he has empowered over 500 individuals through initiatives like Pre Law Education And Diversity (PLEAD) and secured $7,000+ in funding to help launch businesses like Solace Crown, which provides care packages for women facing hardships. His work in the U.S. Embassy showcases a commitment to global outreach, helping enroll Belizean high school students in universities.

As a prospective corporate attorney, Nicholas aims to deepen his expertise in human rights and economic development. He aspires to create equitable opportunities and amplify marginalized voices in the communities he serves.
 

Peyton Masilun

Strategic | Restorative | Woo | Communication | Significance

Peyton Masilun, a fourth-year Caldwell Fellow from Charlotte, NC, is pursuing a double major in Design Studies with a concentration in Business Administration and Art Studies with a concentration in Visual Arts and a minor in Business Administration at NC State University. Throughout her time at NC State, Peyton has held leadership roles, including Vice President of Community Outreach and Vice President of Programming for the Panhellenic Association. In these roles, she organized a service event benefiting Feed the Pack and organized the 2024 Outstanding Women’s Awards. She has also been actively involved in her Chi Omega chapter, taking on multiple leadership positions.

Peyton works at the Gregg Museum of Art & Design as a Programming Assistant and Educational Intern, and at the Craft Center’s front desk. Her passion for global experiences includes studying photography in Prague and completing a 112-mile walk on the Camino de Santiago through the Caldwell Fellows program. Additionally, she participated in a professional development trip to Washington, D.C., and earned a Global Training Initiative certificate.

Her internships at Marbles Kids Museum and the North Carolina Museum of Art and her servant leadership experiences through Caldwell Fellows have fueled her interest in the arts and community engagement. After graduation, Peyton plans to take a gap year before pursuing a master’s degree. She aspires to work as a museum curator specializing in decorative arts or wherever her path may lead.
 

Prerana Prabhushankar

Harmony | Developer | Consistency | Maximizer | Communication

Prerana Prabhushankar is a fourth-year Nutrition Science major at NC State University, with a minor in Environmental Science and a focus on the pre-dental track. Throughout her college experience, Prerana has exhibited leadership and service, notably within Alpha Phi Omega (APO), where she held three executive positions and earned the John Mack Scholarship. As APO President, she promoted mental wellness, diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.

Prerana also played a pivotal role as Logistics Committee Head for the Krispy Kreme Challenge, helping to organize its first in-person Race Day since the COVID-19 pandemic. Her commitment to civic engagement and environmental advocacy is demonstrated by her work as a Campus Fellow for the North Carolina Conservation Network, where she gathered over 100 petition signatures to protect local wetlands, helped distribute over 850 nonpartisan voter guides, and organized a successful letter-writing campaign with 1094 letters to new voters.

Her research endeavors include developing a coffee-based toothpaste to prevent cavities and finding sustainability solutions for a dental practice in Scotland. She has presented her research at five conferences, including two at the national level. Additionally, Prerana traveled to Costa Rica to assist in providing free dental care to underserved communities and volunteers with Wake Smiles, an organization that provides dental care to uninsured and low-income adults in Wake County.

After graduation, she hopes to attend dental school.
 

Razi Sayyed

Achiever | Competition | Restorative | Learner | Significance 

Razi Sayyed is a second-year Park Scholar from Raleigh, NC, majoring in Genetics with a minor in Biotechnology at NC State University. Committed to service and leadership, Razi participated in an Alternative Service Break in Puerto Rico, where he contributed to community service projects such as painting houses, volunteering at shelters, and maintaining trails in El Yunque Rainforest. He also led NC State’s Global Medical Brigades chapter on its first trip to Guatemala, assisting in patient triage, shadowing doctors, supporting dental care, and gathering health data for community assessments.

As a Park Ambassador, Razi played a key role in planning the Learning Lab II trip with fellow students and founded Bridging the Mind, an organization dedicated to raising awareness about severe mental illness and supporting affected families. In collaboration with Dr. Sarah Ascienzo, he led research on mental health literacy among NC State students, focusing on conditions like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

Razi’s passion for research extends to his work in Dr. Troy Ghashghaei’s lab at the College of Veterinary Medicine, where he studies developmental neurobiology in mice models. He also actively volunteers in healthcare, serving at Al-Aqsa Community Clinic for uninsured and refugee populations and in the Medical ICU at WakeMed Raleigh. Currently, he works as an Emergency Department technician at Duke Regional Hospital. After graduation, Razi plans to pursue an MD/PhD, combining his passion for practicing medicine with his commitment to research and advancing science.
 

Shaun Deardorff

Futuristic | Competition | Achiever | Ideation | Focus

Shaun Deardorff, born in Durham, North Carolina, is a current PhD student in Aerospace Engineering at North Carolina State University, where he also earned his bachelor’s degree in the same field. As an undergrad, Shaun played a pivotal role as a director of the Krispy Kreme Challenge; he and his team helped to raise over $120,000 toward the $2 million goal for UNC Children’s Hospital. He holds several prestigious fellowships, including the Provost Doctoral Fellowship, Miller Fellowship, Social Innovation Fellowship, John & Linda Leazar Entrepreneur Award. He has served in various leadership roles such as an Albright Entrepreneurship Village Mentor, senior engineer at Liquid Rocketry Lab, and a Student Media Creator for NC State’s social media channels. 


As an entrepreneur, Shaun is the founder and CEO of Airmage Media Productions, a nationwide drone and media production company. He has launched initiatives like Yes Theory NC State and the Autism Support Network. He’s also interned at SpaceX, the FAA, and Rocket Lab. Shaun is also a licensed UAV pilot, a private pilot in training, a professional artist, a juggler, a screen actor, and an Eagle Scout. His extracurricular passions include ultimate frisbee, snowboarding, and adventure travel.


At NC State’s Lightweight Active Structures Laboratory, his PhD research focuses on origami-inspired ultra-thin composite deployable space structures. After completing his PhD, Shaun aims to join NASA’s Artemis Astronaut Program and establish a multi-planetary drone company to support human space exploration.
 

Information and Application Details

  • Six finalists will receive a ticket to the NC State vs. Stanford University football game on Saturday, November 2, 2024. Finalists will be recognized at halftime and attend the Chancellor’s pre-game reception.
  • The student finalist with the highest GPA will receive a $250 gift certificate from the NC State Bookstores.
  • The student designated as ‘The Leader of the Pack’ will also receive a $3,000 scholarship (to be applied during the Fall 2024 semester) and a class ring.

The following criteria must be met to be eligible for the Leader of the Pack scholarship:

  • Completed two semesters at NC State at the time of application
  • Enrolled as a full-time undergraduate or graduate student at NC State
  • Cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher
  • Free from academic integrity probation and any previous or current disciplinary probation

September 18, 2024Application is Open!
October 7, 2024Application closes at 11:59 PM
October 11, 2024Semi-finalists selected
October 16, 2024Deadline for semi-finalist video submissions 11:59 PM
October 18, 2024Six finalists selected
October 21 & 22, 2024Finalist headshots
October 23 & 24, 2024Student body voting (getinvolved.ncsu.edu)
Week of October 21, 2024Finalist meeting (TBD) based on finalist schedules
November 1, 2024Finalists honored at Friday Night Floats (Location TBA)
November 2, 2024Leader of the Pack award recipient announced at Red & White Week Football Game

The process is cumulative and consists of multiple parts. Each qualified applicant will be evaluated on the following: 

  • Cumulative Grade point average 
  • Demonstrated leadership in co-curricular and community engagement 
  • Demonstrated commitment to creating an inclusive campus community
  • Academic and conduct record check
  • 10-minute video submission response to provided questions. (Only finalists will submit.)

This program has long been a tradition on campus, dating back to the 1990s. While initially known as the Homecoming King and Queen Competition, the award transitioned to a more inclusive and equitable process—removing the gendered structure and focusing on scholarship, leadership, a commitment to creating an inclusive campus community, and service to the campus and broader community.

Six students will be recognized as finalists, and the Leader of the Pack will be named at halftime of the Red and White Week game in Fall 2024..

What is Leader of the Pack?

Questions and Concerns

Please use the contact below or our office at leaderofthepack@ncsu.edu with the subject line “Leader of the Pack.”

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Adam Culley

Assistant Director

919-513-5087