VCU leadership program now accepting nominations

By Michael Ford
University News Services

Virginia Commonwealth University’s Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute is accepting nominations for its nine-month program designed to develop the leadership potential of faculty and staff in key management roles at the university and the VCU Health System.

The Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute will soon graduate its fifth class from the VCU Leadership Development Program.
The program involves 25 to 30 participants who learn about issues in higher education and at VCU and examine their own leadership strengths and challenges. They have the opportunity to meet regularly with a mentor from senior administration and immerse themselves in real-world team projects.

The 2005 class projects covered issues related to community engagement, support for faculty research and VCU institutional pride.

“The VCU Leadership Program brings together people from all walks of life throughout the university community, people whose paths would never cross in the every day work environment,” said recent graduate Cynthia Schmidt, university marketing director. “We now have a greater understanding and respect for the scope of the university, the work it does and the challenges each of us faces every day.”

Ultimately, the goal of the program is to bring about sustained, positive change at VCU by expanding the leadership capabilities of the academic and administrative units of the university and the VCU Health System.

Nominations are being accepted now for the Class of 2006 and are due Nov. 18, 2005. Senior leaders are encouraged to submit nominations for key managers in their units. Nomination and application forms and program information are available at http://www.vcu.edu/gehli/leadprog.html. Or contact Susan B. Wilkes, Ph.D., for more information at 827-1226 or swilkes@vcu.edu.

Next year’s program begins in February 2006 and is conducted over nine months, with an opening day, 10 days in structured sessions with the entire class, a two-day retreat in March, small-group work sessions, several hours in mentoring sessions and a final closing ceremony.