Harriett Edwards, Ed.D. is an Associate Professor and Extension Specialist for Volunteerism in the Department of Youth, Family, and Community Sciences at North Carolina State University. A native North Carolinian, she received her Bachelor of Arts in English Communications at Campbell University, her Master’s Degree in Public Administration at NC State, and her Doctorate in Adult Education at NC State University. Dr. Edwward’s first-of-its-kind dissertation research investigated critical aspects of effectively engaging episodic volunteers in community based youth programs.
Dr. Edwards works closely with the Extension State Advisory Council and the State Extension Advisory Leadership System, coordinating efforts to empower volunteer advisors to serve more effectively in their roles supporting NC Cooperative Extension. She also serves as the 4-H Military Liaison for North Carolina, and has worked with the Department of Defense, the National Military Family Association and private funders to bring more than $1 Million to North Carolina in support of military children and their families.
She has served as President of the NC Association of Volunteer Administration, and also as President of the Association of Leaders in Volunteer Engagement (AL!VE), a national professional association for administrators of volunteer programs. Additionally, Dr. Edwards co-chaired the national committee to develop the National Framework for 4-H Volunteerism, a conceptual design for direction of national investment in volunteer development for 4-H programming. She maintains certifications as an Administrator of Volunteers (CAVNC) and is a member of the NCSU Academy for Outstanding Faculty Engaged in Extension.
Dr. Edwards has presented at numerous national and international conferences, including the International Conference on Volunteer Administration, the National Conference on Volunteerism and Service, the Association for Research in Nonprofit Organizations and Voluntary Agencies (ARNOVA), and the European Seminar on Extension Education. Harriett teaches graduate level courses in volunteer management at North Carolina State University and has served as adjunct faculty at the University of North Carolina – Greensboro. Her work also includes the development of a “Basics in Volunteer Management” training to certify experienced volunteer administrators to teach “Basics in Volunteer Management” classes through North Carolina Community Colleges.
