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Leader of the Pack

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

2023 Recipient of Leader of the Pack

Emma Budden, Leader of the Pack recipient in 2023, celebrates with her parents on the football field at Carter-Finley Stadium at halftime to receive the award and be recognized. (Photo: Shaun Deardorff)

What is Leader of the Pack?

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 Fall 2024.

Meet your 2023 Leader of the Pack Finalists

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.

Click here to VOTE!

Information and Application Details

September 20, 2023Application opens
October 2, 2023Application closes at 11:50 PM
October 6, 2023Semi-finalists selected
October 11, 2023Deadline for semi-finalist video submissions 11:59 PM
October 13, 2023Six finalists selected
October 16 & 17, 2023Finalist headshots
October 18 & 19, 2023Student body voting (getinvolved.ncsu.edu)
Week of October 23, 2023Finalist meeting (TBD) based on finalist schedules
October 27, 2023Finalists honored at Friday Night Floats (7 PM- SAS Parking Lot)
October 28, 2023Leader of the Pack award recipient announced at Red & White Week Football Game
  • Six finalists will receive a ticket to the NC State vs. Clemson University football game on Saturday, October 28, 2023. 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 2023 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

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.)

The six finalists for the 2022 Leader of the Pack have been selected. Congratulations to our finalists who are listed below alphabetically:

Questions and Concerns

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