Building on the legacy of NC State Chancellor John T. Caldwell, the Caldwell Fellows program invests in students selected during their first year at NC State who share a passion for learning, growing, and serving others. The Caldwell Fellows program challenges scholars to “Think BIG” and facilitates the goal of maximizing the college experience by providing intensive programming and leadership training and fostering collaborative interaction with alumni, faculty, and community partners.
“You just don’t know how magnificent you might be. Think big! Think big about your possibilities in this world.”
John T. Caldwell
Former NC State Chancellor, 1959-1975
Our Guiding Values
Servant-Leadership
In service-based leadership, we engage in the continuous, voluntary exercise of mutual influence between ourselves and others toward a common purpose.
Principled Reflection
According to our principles and as a practice, we deliberately cultivate knowledge of our character and critically consider our purpose in our environment.
Personal Development
In exploring the challenges of personal betterment, we are committed to fostering ongoing self-discovery and improvement within ourselves and others.
Rigorous Integrity
We uphold honesty and honor, despite our limitations, via meticulous empathy, discipline, and humility.
Authentic Self
In pursuit of who we want to be, we endeavor to become more fully human through genuine interactions and openness within our communities.
We strive toward these values by engaging in a continuous process of hands-on learning involving active engagement, personal reflection, meaningful feedback, and active listening.
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caldwellfellowsJan 14
John Higdon, Class of 1986
John earned his B.S. in Aerospace Engineering and has built an inspiring career as Director of Standards Development, Engineering Manager, and local elected official serving as Commissioner and Mayor.
“Since graduating, I have made the servant leadership principles I gained through the Caldwell Fellows program a cornerstone of my life. The emphasis on leading through service fundamentally shaped how I approach both personal and professional responsibilities.”
John credits the program with instilling values that have guided dozens of volunteer initiatives and leadership roles throughout his life. Today, he’s a proud grandfather and continues to serve his community!
John earned his B.S. in Aerospace Engineering and has built an inspiring career as Director of Standards Development, Engineering Manager, and local elected official serving as Commissioner and Mayor.
“Since graduating, I have made the servant leadership principles I gained through the Caldwell Fellows program a cornerstone of my life. The emphasis on leading through service fundamentally shaped how I approach both personal and professional responsibilities.”
John credits the program with instilling values that have guided dozens of volunteer initiatives and leadership roles throughout his life. Today, he’s a proud grandfather and continues to serve his community!
Tori Collins ‘89 shares why she and her husband Kerr give back to the Caldwell Fellows Program—from wilderness expeditions in Alaska to mentorship that shaped her path, the program transformed her life and continues to develop servant leaders today. Every dinner seminar, Global Perspectives trip, and coaching session is made possible by donors who believe in paying it forward.
Day of Giving is March 25, 2026. Join us in supporting the next generation of Caldwell Fellows. Read Tori’s full story and learn how you can give at our link in bio! #NCState #CaldwellFellows #ServantLeadership #DayOfGiving #PackGives
Tori Collins ‘89 shares why she and her husband Kerr give back to the Caldwell Fellows Program—from wilderness expeditions in Alaska to mentorship that shaped her path, the program transformed her life and continues to develop servant leaders today. Every dinner seminar, Global Perspectives trip, and coaching session is made possible by donors who believe in paying it forward.
Day of Giving is March 25, 2026. Join us in supporting the next generation of Caldwell Fellows. Read Tori’s full story and learn how you can give at our link in bio! #NCState #CaldwellFellows #ServantLeadership #DayOfGiving #PackGives...
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caldwellfellowsDec 4
Seeking diverse perspectives and learning from those around him, Adrian Chavarria (‘28) is leading by building community and using his past to inform his future. As a Caldwell Fellow, dancer, engineer, and fraternity brother, Adrian finds service leadership in all walks of life.
“We all have different goals, but we share the same motivation to make a difference. The Fellows inspire me because they challenge me to think deeper, dream bigger, and grow as a person.”
Read more at our link in bio! #CaldwellFellows #ThinkBIG
Seeking diverse perspectives and learning from those around him, Adrian Chavarria (‘28) is leading by building community and using his past to inform his future. As a Caldwell Fellow, dancer, engineer, and fraternity brother, Adrian finds service leadership in all walks of life.
“We all have different goals, but we share the same motivation to make a difference. The Fellows inspire me because they challenge me to think deeper, dream bigger, and grow as a person.”
Read more at our link in bio! #CaldwellFellows #ThinkBIG...
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caldwellfellowsNov 7
We encourage you to attend our upcoming Caldwell Connections event in Witherspoon Hall on Nov 18! Join us for a casual conversation with current and prospective Fellows. It’s drop in, so show up and leave as you wish! See you there!
We encourage you to attend our upcoming Caldwell Connections event in Witherspoon Hall on Nov 18! Join us for a casual conversation with current and prospective Fellows. It’s drop in, so show up and leave as you wish! See you there!...
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caldwellfellowsNov 3
Motivated by compassion and a lifelong desire to help others, Mesha Strickland (’27) is defining leadership through empathy, reflection, and care. As she pursues her path in medicine, she’s learning that meaningful impact starts with listening, collaboration, and showing up for others every day.
“Leadership isn’t about doing everything yourself—it’s about working with others to make a difference together.”
Read more at our link in bio! #CaldwellFellows #ThinkBIG
Motivated by compassion and a lifelong desire to help others, Mesha Strickland (’27) is defining leadership through empathy, reflection, and care. As she pursues her path in medicine, she’s learning that meaningful impact starts with listening, collaboration, and showing up for others every day.
“Leadership isn’t about doing everything yourself—it’s about working with others to make a difference together.”
Read more at our link in bio! #CaldwellFellows #ThinkBIG...
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caldwellfellowsOct 29
Grounded in compassion and driven by curiosity, Armaan Raina (‘27) is cultivating servant leadership through science, service, and self-discovery. Through the Caldwell Fellows program, he continues to grow in self-awareness and purpose, striving to make a positive difference in every community he’s part of.
“To me, leadership and service have never felt like interests as much as integral parts of life that I happen to enjoy.”
Read more at our link in bio! #CaldwellFellows #ThinkBIG
Grounded in compassion and driven by curiosity, Armaan Raina (‘27) is cultivating servant leadership through science, service, and self-discovery. Through the Caldwell Fellows program, he continues to grow in self-awareness and purpose, striving to make a positive difference in every community he’s part of.
“To me, leadership and service have never felt like interests as much as integral parts of life that I happen to enjoy.”
Read more at our link in bio! #CaldwellFellows #ThinkBIG...
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caldwellfellowsOct 16
We welcome you to attend our upcoming virtual recruitment event! Visit the QR code or our link in bio to RSVP for the Google Meet link.
Day two at @ccldotorg. Practicing the art of deliberation. #leadershipdevelopment...
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caldwellfellowsOct 13
We had a fantastic evening of fellowship at Oden Brewing Co. Triad area alumni had the chance to mix and mingle with members of the Class of 2027 before their leadership intensive at the @ccldotorg Center for Creative Leadership. Thanks to everyone who came out.
We had a fantastic evening of fellowship at Oden Brewing Co. Triad area alumni had the chance to mix and mingle with members of the Class of 2027 before their leadership intensive at the @ccldotorg Center for Creative Leadership. Thanks to everyone who came out....
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caldwellfellowsOct 8
From tailgates to technology.
Paul Mobley (‘06) turned a simple idea to “make game days greener” into a campus-wide sustainability effort that still lives on today. What started as a Caldwell Fellows project became a lifelong passion for environmental innovation. Read more about it at the link in our bio! 🌎🐺 #CaldwellFellows #ThinkAndDo #NCState
Paul Mobley (‘06) turned a simple idea to “make game days greener” into a campus-wide sustainability effort that still lives on today. What started as a Caldwell Fellows project became a lifelong passion for environmental innovation. Read more about it at the link in our bio! 🌎🐺 #CaldwellFellows #ThinkAndDo #NCState...
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caldwellfellowsOct 1
We welcome you to attend our upcoming virtual recruitment events! Visit the QR code or our link in bio to RSVP for the Google Meet link.
We welcome you to attend our upcoming virtual recruitment events! Visit the QR code or our link in bio to RSVP for the Google Meet link....
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caldwellfellowsOct 1
Support your PAW-sions with @caldwellfellows and @ncstatealumni during Red & White Week! Sponsor a student, honor your class, or celebrate someone special. Your dedication sign will shine on the Court of North Carolina! A gift of any size has an impact.
Donate at the link in bio. #SupportYourPawsions #NCState #GoPack
Support your PAW-sions with @caldwellfellows and @ncstatealumni during Red & White Week! Sponsor a student, honor your class, or celebrate someone special. Your dedication sign will shine on the Court of North Carolina! A gift of any size has an impact.
Donate at the link in bio. #SupportYourPawsions #NCState #GoPack...
