The Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute

The Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute The VCU Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute within the L. The Grace E. Harris.

Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs promotes the development of current and emerging leaders in Virginia state and local government, private, and nonprofit organizations. Harris Leadership (GEHLI) Institute promotes the development of current and emerging leaders in Virginia state and local government, academic institutions, public, private and nonprofit organizations, and commu

nities of the Commonwealth. GEHLI offers an integrated series of professional development programs that develop critical skills at the supervisory, management, senior leadership, and local levels. Our competency-based curricula utilize proven practices and are delivered by engaging, highly experienced professionals. Consistent with the mission of Virginia Commonwealth University, the Institute is committed to identifying and nurturing the next generation of leaders through leadership training and public policy research. Harris Leadership Institute has many years of experience supporting leaders as they learn more about themselves to develop their leadership skills. GEHLI bridges personal and professional leadership development by stressing that the improvement of leadership skills, behaviors, competencies, and practices require knowledge acquisition, professional skill development, and feedback. GEHLI was established in May 1999 by the Board of Visitors at Virginia Commonwealth University in honor of 32 years of service to the university by Dr. Grace E.

The VCU Leadership Development Program, open to VCU faculty and staff, is accepting applications for the 2027 Cohort!VCU...
09/03/2026

The VCU Leadership Development Program, open to VCU faculty and staff, is accepting applications for the 2027 Cohort!

VCUL is particularly valuable for someone who:
- Has leadership responsibilities but wants to become more intentional and effective.
- Is emerging as a leader and wants to prepare for larger responsibilities.
- Wants a deeper understanding of how VCU operates.
- Wants candid feedback about their leadership style and areas for growth.
- Wants to expand their network beyond their immediate department or school.

Sign up for an information session to learn more: https://forms.gle/xzu18xoaGookJZoB9

Applications close on December 1st, 2026.

Early Bird discount extended!! The 20th Annual HIGHER Ground Leadership Conference is offering a $50 discount until Sept...
09/01/2026

Early Bird discount extended!! The 20th Annual HIGHER Ground Leadership Conference is offering a $50 discount until September 9th.

Join us for an inspiring day of leadership, learning, and connection as we celebrate 20 years of HIGHER Ground: https://gehli.vcu.edu/higher-ground-conference/2026-conference/

08/31/2026

Thank you everyone that has joined us to celebrate Summer 2026 thus far! In August, the Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute hosted an alumni celebration for graduates of our HIGHER Ground Leadership Development Program. It was a fantastic evening of laughs and reconnection over amazing food! We hope to see even more of you in the future as we hope to roll out more opportunities for our alumni to connect!

The 2026 VCU Leadership Development Program Team Project Presentations will take place on October 16th from 9-12 PM at t...
08/26/2026

The 2026 VCU Leadership Development Program Team Project Presentations will take place on October 16th from 9-12 PM at the University Student Commons. Join us as the cohort presents recommendations for university-wide issues; you may find the answer you are looking for!

Please RSVP using this link: https://forms.gle/cGmn1w8EME6sW8US8

Take advantage of the Early Bird discounted registration rate for the 20th Annual HIGHER Ground Leadership Conference!Jo...
08/26/2026

Take advantage of the Early Bird discounted registration rate for the 20th Annual HIGHER Ground Leadership Conference!

Join us for an inspiring day of leadership, learning, and connection as we celebrate 20 years of HIGHER Ground: https://gehli.vcu.edu/higher-ground-conference/

We are excited to welcome The Honorable Traci J. Deshazor, Secretary of Administration for the Commonwealth of Virginia,...
08/21/2026

We are excited to welcome The Honorable Traci J. Deshazor, Secretary of Administration for the Commonwealth of Virginia, as the keynote speaker for the 20th Annual HIGHER Ground Leadership Conference!

Join us as we celebrate 20 years of leadership, growth, and impact: https://gehli.vcu.edu/higher-ground-conference/

📣 Calling all GEHLI Alumni!Whether you’re a VEI, CMI, MPLI, HIGHER Ground, SMB, or an alum of any other GEHLI program, w...
08/20/2026

📣 Calling all GEHLI Alumni!

Whether you’re a VEI, CMI, MPLI, HIGHER Ground, SMB, or an alum of any other GEHLI program, we’d love to see you at the 2026 Wilder Symposium: Virginia at 250 — Leadership, Democracy and the Future of Our Commonwealth.

Join GEHLI and the VCU Wilder School for an important conversation exploring Virginia’s history, its influence on American democracy and civic life, and the leadership and choices that will shape our Commonwealth’s future.

The evening will feature former Governors L. Douglas Wilder and Jim Gilmore, political analyst Larry Sabato, Wilder School Interim Dean Robyn Diehl McDougle, and moderator Bob Holsworth.

Come reconnect with fellow GEHLI alumni, engage in a timely conversation, and be part of the broader VCU leadership community. We hope to see you there! đź’ś

đź“… Tuesday, September 1
🥂 Reception: 4:30–5 p.m.
🎤 Symposium: 5–7 p.m.
📍 W.E. Singleton Center for the Performing Arts
🎟️ Free and open to the public

đź”— Learn more & register: https://wilder.vcu.edu/news-and-events/signature-events/wilder-symposium/

Congratulations to all of the graduates of our Supervisors and Managers Bootcamp! 🎓 Participants spent the week enhancin...
08/19/2026

Congratulations to all of the graduates of our Supervisors and Managers Bootcamp! 🎓 Participants spent the week enhancing their leadership skills to leave with the knowledge and confidence to solve some of the key challenges that come with supervising others. Hearing all of your stories and watching your commitment to become stronger leaders truly inspired us. Congratulations on all you’ve accomplished and on the difference you’re ready to make! 👏

Visit our website to join us next session: https://gehli.vcu.edu/trainings-and-institutes/supervisors-and-managers-bootcamp-smb/

The Fall 2026 Commonwealth Management Institute Application has been extended to Sunday, August 16th! Looking for the ne...
08/05/2026

The Fall 2026 Commonwealth Management Institute Application has been extended to Sunday, August 16th! Looking for the next step in your leadership journey? Have a colleague in mind who could benefit from this program? Consider sharing the application with them!

Visit gehli.vcu.edu for more information or access the application here: https://redcap.vcu.edu/surveys/?s=8NXHCPNJ7WH8EJHF

Applications for the 2027 VCU Leadership Development Program are now open! Take the next step in your leadership journey...
07/30/2026

Applications for the 2027 VCU Leadership Development Program are now open! Take the next step in your leadership journey, build meaningful connections, and develop the skills to lead with confidence.

The VCU Leadership Development Program emphasizes that improving leadership skills, behaviors, competencies, and practices requires acquiring knowledge, developing professional skills, and receiving feedback. Therefore, the program focuses on providing participants with conceptual information, practical applications, and a variety of methods for enhancing their performance.

Apply by December 1st using this link: https://redcap.vcu.edu/surveys/?s=8DMTJK74NDJNEDR8

Address

916 W Franklin Street
Richmond, VA
23284

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5pm
Friday 8:30am - 5pm

Telephone

+18048271169

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