The Caldwell Class of 2026 at the Center for Creative Leadership

At the heart of the Caldwell Fellows Program is a dedication to shaping the next generation of conscientious, self-aware leaders. A key piece of this mission is our long-standing partnership with the Center for Creative Leadership (CCL), a global leader in leadership development. Now in its 57th year, this collaboration continues to provide an invaluable foundation for Caldwell Fellows as they develop into dynamic leaders.

A Legacy of Leadership Development

The CCL-Caldwell partnership stands as the longest in CCL’s history, with this year’s junior cohort of 29 Fellows participating in an immersive two-and-a-half-day leadership intensive. This experience is deeply integrated into the junior curriculum, which also includes one-on-one coaching, professional development workshops, and a cohort retreat. Together, these elements form a cohesive approach to leadership development that prepares students to take on meaningful roles within their communities and beyond.

This transformational experience is made possible in large part thanks to a generous gift from Mr. Jeff Williams and his wife Melissa in honor of Gerald Hawkins, who led the Caldwell program as director for 35 years prior to his retirement. Williams, the chief operating officer of Apple, graduated from NC State in 1985 with a degree in mechanical engineering; he later earned an MBA from Duke University. Their generous support ensures that each cohort has the opportunity to deepen their understanding and practice of servant leadership.

Continuing Development: Leadership in Action

Our pedagogy prioritizes tangible leadership development, with over 20 Fellows actively engaging in key roles within the program. In response to student feedback, the CCL Team Leadership training held before the fall semester continues to have a significant impact. Students report applying lessons from the training immediately, enhancing their effectiveness as team leaders.

“CCL has been a very transformative experience in terms of understanding my own personal leadership style and identifying how to play to my strengths as well as motivating others around me,” said Suchir Madap. “I plan to use these skills in my startup to foster leadership that will help us thrive and be successful.”

This hands-on, reflective learning empowers students to lead with confidence. Team leaders this year have reported a growth in their facilitation skills, deepening their impact within their teams.

Innovating for Today’s Challenges

College students today face ever-increasing demands—juggling leadership roles, academic excellence, and community involvement. The 2024 CCL experience encouraged students to explore solutions to the most pressing challenges they face. Working in small groups, they explored the results of their Clifton Strengths assessment, outlined their personal values, and discussed how these factors intersect in real-world work.

As Olivia Townsend shared, “Intentionally devoting time and energy to further understanding my values has made me conscientious of my leadership in a group and individually. I have not only been learning with my peers but also from them, deepening our connections and boosting our personal and professional development.”

Impactful Reflections

For many Fellows, the CCL experience serves as a turning point in their leadership journey. Through structured learning and meaningful reflection, students like Charles Kellon left Greensboro with a deeper understanding of themselves and their leadership approach.

“My largest takeaway has been seeing the ‘bigger picture’ of my life and realizing how hard it is to stray away from your core values no matter what is at stake,” said Kellon. “I have been greatly impacted by this experience and see my time at CCL applying to my career as an educator.”

A Partnership that Powers Purposeful Leadership

The Caldwell Fellows mission is clear: to cultivate self-aware, globally-minded individuals who practice creative, conscientious leadership. This mission is supported and strengthened by our ongoing partnership with the Center for Creative Leadership. Thanks to the generosity of Jeff and Melissa Williams, this CCL intensive continues to provide students with the opportunity to deepen their leadership practice, both personally and professionally, allowing them to make lasting contributions to society.

As we look to the future, the legacy of this partnership will undoubtedly continue to shape and inspire Caldwell Fellows for generations to come.

To learn more about how you can have an impact on the financial success of our work, please visit our giving page https://caldwellfellows.ncsu.edu/giving/.