Rising Leaders

A first-year and first-year transfer leadership program

Start Your Leadership Journey at NC State

Rising Leaders is a leadership and mentorship experience designed for first-year and first-year transfer students who want to get connected, build confidence, and make the most of their NC State experience.

Through leadership workshops, peer mentoring, social events, service learning, and a close-knit community, Rising Leaders helps students find their place at NC State while developing skills that will support them throughout college and beyond.

Whether you already see yourself as a leader or are just looking for a place to start, Rising Leaders is built for you.

Applications will open on August 24 2026. Please mark your interest in applying to the program below to be notified as soon as the application opens!

Express Interest Here!

Who Should Apply/ Requirements for Rising Leaders

Rising Leaders is made to fit where ever you are in your leadership journey! Whether you were really involved in high school or if this is your first step in your leadership journey, we encourage you to apply!

If you are a First-Year Student at NC State Who:

Desire to get more involved on campus
Want to get involved with service and learn more about leadership
Desire to connect with other first-year students and build community

What Does the Program Include?

Fall Semester

These workshop sessions will be November 1st, November 8th, and November 15th. These workshops are crafted to build community within the Rising Leader Community, further leadership development, and set goals for the 2026-2027 academic year

Experience leadership in action through Day of Service, a program tradition focused on giving back, strengthening community connections, and serving alongside fellow students and mentors. On November 21 2026, Rising Leader members will engage in direct service with Raleigh partnerships.

Throughout the Fall and Spring Semester, our peer mentors host various social events to bring together Rising Leaders. Examples of socials include game nights, cycling classes, bowling, and arts and craft nights.

Spring Semester

These weekly workshops are a blend of personal, professional, and academic developmental topics. They are a blend of community development and ice breakers, leadership development content, and intentional reflection to apply the content to YOUR leadership journey.

Our retreat is at the Eastern 4-H Center on January 15 to January 16 2027. Our retreat is an engaging time centered around program traditions, ice breakers, and leadership development.

All Rising Leaders will select a topical issue to focus on for their group service learning projects and coordinate logistics of the service opportunity including reaching out to the community partners, planning the service, and engaging in direct reflection.

Each Rising Leader has a peer mentor and a peer mentor group. Our peer mentors have previously particpated in the Rising Leaders program and are a resource to help first year students in their transition to NC State. Partipcants will have two 1:1s with their mentor and will establish a relationship with their peer mentor group.