Ryan Nilsen is the senior program officer for community engagement currently working primarily with fellowships and scholarships at the Carolina Center for Public Service. He graduated from North Carolina State University with majors in English and international studies and completed a Master of Theological Studies degree at Duke University as well as a graduate certificate in nonprofit leadership through the UNC School of Social Work. He has conducted community-engaged research with the National Farm Worker Ministry and has led studies on the impact of community engagement and experiential education programs in higher education. He teaches in education and public policy.