Future leaders in the College of Natural Resources and Environment learn firsthand from top experts

Over the course of a whirlwind week, students in the Leadership Institute in the College of Natural Resources and Environment visited Richmond, Charlottesville, West Virginia, and Washington, D.C., to meet with experts in state and federal agencies, private organizations, and nonprofits to see how each addressed leadership in their organizations.

Ethan Elder, a junior in the Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation from Rustburg, Virginia, found the class and the firsthand experience incredibly valuable.

“Throughout the semester, we've talked with various folks about what we've learned in class, such as self-assessment and personal reflection, said Elder, who is the recipient of the John F. Hosner Scholarship, the Ragsdale Forestry Scholarship, and the Thomas Walbridge Scholarship. “We've read two different books on leadership from different standpoints. Seeing what we've learned in class and hearing from people in leadership roles every day has been enlightening. It helps to see the similarities and differences based on their jobs, whether in private companies or state government agencies. This feedback is another tool in our toolbox for when we graduate. For me, it's been great to see how this connects to my future career.”

Acadia Lewis, a senior from Goochland, Virginia, majoring in environmental conservation and society with minors in geospatial information systems and forestry, thought the Leadership Institute would be a great opportunity for her to develop her leadership skills.

“This program allowed me to expand on my leadership skills and grasp a better understanding of what it means to be a leader through emotional intelligence, personality, and motivation tests we've done,” she said. “These tools have helped me understand myself and others better, improving my ability to work collaboratively. The smaller class size also made it easier to take into consideration everyone's personality types and work styles, which has been especially beneficial for group projects.” Throughout the week, the students visited the Virginia Department of Forestry, Apex Clean Energy, The Nature Conservancy, Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, Smurfit-Westrock, the U.S. Geological Survey, Esri, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the National Conservation Training Center.

Leadership Institute students discussed leadership through public service with the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources.

At Smurfit-Westrock, students learned about leadership through change and the value of communication from leadership.

Leadership Institute students met with the United States Geological Survey and discussed leadership in and around public service, that leadership can happen at any point in a career, time management as leaders, and being accountable.

Some takeaways for the students were:

• Mistakes are OK and help you being respected, as long as the mistakes are learning opportunities.
• Be vulnerable and honest.
• Practice time management skills.
• No one is perfect.
• Be compassionate.

College of Natural Resources and Environment Leadership Institute students met with Esri to discuss being an empathetic leader, treating everyone with respect, and the importance of being agile.

Some other takeaways for the students were:

• Be collaborative nature, with direct expectations and timeline.
• Don’t ask someone to do something you wouldn’t do yourself.
• Provide as much context as possible.
• Learn from everyone, including what to do and what not to do.

At the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Leadership Institute students discussed public leadership, including how leaders should trust their team to get the job done, value driven leadership, and the importance of continual professional development for teams.

About the Leadership Institute

Taking on current and future challenges and opportunities across the global landscape requires a unique blend of scientific know-how and leadership. As a complement to strong disciplinary knowledge, leadership means working with people to solve problems, create opportunities, and move programs, organizations, and people forward.

The Leadership Institute equips students with the skills and tools they need to solve critical problems facing society in the management and utilization of natural resources and in environmental stewardship. Once accepted, participants embark on a semester-long journey of leadership development and practice that includes a three-credit course, an off-campus retreat, and a capstone team project. Students also take a weeklong trip to Washington, D.C., and other locations to meet with leaders and policymakers from government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and private industries.

For questions about applying or hosting the Leadership Institute, visit the Leadership Institute website or contact Brian Bond, the program’s director, at bbond@vt.edu. Scott Klopfer, director of the Conservation Management Institute in the Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation, led the 2025 trip.