Meet our Senior Ambassadors

Our student Ambassadors provide leadership and serve as liaisons between the Agricultural Business Management program and current and prospective students. From helping with orientation to assisting our academic team, these students play an important role in strengthening the program and increasing awareness in students of all of the opportunities the department has to offer. We are proud to see our ambassadors bolster their leadership skills and serve as mentors to their fellow students. As we near graduation, we want to recognize our Senior Ambassadors and wish them well on their journeys. Courtney, Lucas, and Malik have shared their stories below.

Stay tuned for an introduction to our rising Senior Ambassadors in the coming week.

Hello! My name is Courtney Thornton. I am a senior in the Agricultural and Resource Economics Department. I also serve as an ARE Department Ambassador. I have worked close with the department for about a year and a half now. I was involved with CALS Cares groups which I helped many ag business students get used to being on campus and getting more involved. I also have attended orientation groups to familiarize new students with our outstanding department. One of my favorite things about this department is the friendliness of the faculty and staff. All of my experiences with the ARE instructors have been fantastic. While some of the course material is difficult, the professors are more than willing to help you understand the material and relate it to something that you can identify with. The ARE department is growing very fast and I am so thankful to be part of it!

I have assisted in the ARE Professional Development Workshop teaching students about how to research a business, critiquing resumes, how to mingle and network, and how to be a successful professional. Some students do not take advantage of the many networking and professional opportunities that the department offers, but I encourage you to join us at our next event. I was also a teacher’s assistant for the freshman professional development class where we discussed resumes, cover letters, networking, email etiquette, and many other beneficial topics so they can start their professional success early! Another experience that I have taken advantage of through the department was study abroad. I went to Italy with Dr. Hendrickson last Maymester. This was a trip of a lifetime and I would suggest if you have any desire to travel abroad to do it while you can! We visited many agricultural product facilities including cheese making factory (with over 30,000 rounds of cheese in one room), a ham factory, a dairy farm, produce farms, and two wineries.  I also interned this past summer with AgCarolina Farm Credit,and this experience was advertised through the department. Outside of being very active on campus with the department, Agronomy Club, Ducks Unlimited, and Agribusiness Club, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. I spend a lot of time on a small cow- calf operation back home. This department has provided me with an outstanding degree, a great professional network, and many opportunities that I never would have imagined having!

I’m Lucas Stegall, a senior in Ag. Business Management with minors in Animal Science and Economics from a small town in Anson County, North Carolina.  I attended Piedmont High School in Union County where I was an actively involved in the FFA chapter, serving as an officer for three years and as president my senior year, where I was able to compete in CDE competitions and the National Ag. Mechanics competition.  I am currently employed as a mechanic for a grading company owned by my neighbor, as well as managing a small herd of beef cattle, so when I applied to NC State, Ag. Engineering seemed like the obvious choice.  When it became apparent that that was not the right plan for me, I decided on Ag. Business based on the suggestion of a family friend, despite having never taken a business class.  To get involved and to feel like part of the Wolfpack, I became a CALS ambassador my sophomore and junior year.  Also during my junior year,  I became a teaching assistant for Dr. Russ to help students learn, and work with him on department events. This led to the formation of ARE Ambassadors where we work to grow the department and help freshman students get adjusted to State. We also work on recruiting new students and tell them all that ARE has to offer. With graduation ahead in May, I hope to return to working in the grading industry as well as begin my lifelong dream of starting my own beef operation putting all the knowledge I have gained here at State to use.

Hello, I am Malik Carver. I am currently a senior majoring in agricultural business management with a minor in environmental science. I am from Elizabeth City, North Carolina. I gained interest for agriculture when I was little from my grandparents and great uncles own family farm. My interest grew in high school by participating in FFA and agriculture classes. With help of my teacher/FFA advisor, I decided I wanted to major in agricultural business management at NC State. The major incorporates two things I love, agriculture and business. I have enjoyed my time at NC State from the people I have connected with, classes taken, and opportunities that have become available. I can thank the ARE department for much of my enjoyment at NC State. Not only has the ARE department made my time here at NC State enjoyable but also has provided valuable knowledge that will help further my professional career. I am truly thankful for the knowledge and opportunities the department has provided me to help me succeed post college.