Developing leadership competencies among undergraduate students is essential for preparing a skilled and adaptable agricultural workforce. Grounded in Astin’s Student Involvement Theory, which emphasizes that student learning and development are directly related to the quality and quantity of involvement in purposeful educational activities, this study examines leadership development through engagement beyond the classroom. The Tennessee State University (TSU) Agricultural Ambassador Program was implemented as a student involvement initiative to enhance leadership development through recruitment activities, campus tours, engagement in college events, and outreach within the College of Agriculture. The objective of this study was to evaluate the extent to which participation in the program contributed to students’ personal and professional leadership development.The study involved 13 undergraduate agricultural ambassadors who completed a full year of program participation. A pre-survey assessing baseline competencies in communication, teamwork, professionalism, and leadership was administered through an online survey. Survey data were supplemented with reflective narratives and documentation of student engagement in ambassador activities. The findings indicated that students entered the program with varying levels of confidence across the leadership and professional development domains. Participants reported high confidence in teamwork related to achieving shared goals (M = 4.27), while confidence in public speaking and presentation skills was moderate (M = 3.36), identifying areas for targeted development. Observational and reflective evidence demonstrated that sustained involvement in leadership training, service learning at college ceremonies, recruitment efforts, and campus tours fostered growth in communication, peer engagement, problem-solving, and leadership initiative. Students also reported increased comfort in public-facing roles and a stronger sense of belonging within the College of Agriculture. Overall, results demonstrate that the TSU Agricultural Ambassador Program serves as an effective student involvement model that supports leadership development and professional growth, particularly within 1890 land-grant institutions preparing future leaders in food, agriculture, and natural resources.