The Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute promotes the development of current and emerging leaders in Virginia state and local government, academic institutions, public, private and nonprofit organizations, and communities of the Commonwealth.

Supporting the Next Generation of Leaders

GEHLI flower icon

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. 

The Grace E. 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.

Our Mission

The Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute promotes the development of current and emerging leaders in Virginia state and local government, academic institutions, public, private and nonprofit organizations, and communities of the Commonwealth. Consistent with the mission of VCU, the institute is committed to identifying and nurturing the next generation of leaders through leadership training.

Our Vision

The Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute will be recognized throughout the region as the premier provider of leadership development programs for:

  • Adherence to the principles of leadership exhibited by Grace E. Harris, Ph.D., based on collaboration and instituting leadership — envisioning a brighter future
  • Creating a learning environment, building collaborative partnerships, and strengthening the commitment to results
  • Commitment to long-term relationships with clients and participants
  • Promotion of action-oriented transformational leadership

Professional Development Programs

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. 

Download GEHLI Programs at a glance (PDF)

  FFS ESI SMB CMI VEI HG MPLI VCUL LUEP
Full Name Fundamentals for Supervisors Experienced Supervisors Institute Supervisors and Managers Bootcamp Commonwealth Management Institute Virginia Executive Institute

HIGHER Ground Leadership Development

Minority Political Leadership Institute VCU Leadership Development Program Land Use Education Program
Focus Supervising others Building and managing teams Managing one's performance while developing others Developing
one’s self-leadership to better lead others  
Developing executive leadership skills Develop the skills and methods women employ Community economics, political climate, civic engagement, and racial equity. VCU’s structure and address current issues  Informs land use principles and decisions
Program Length 3 days 3 days 5 days 5 days 10 days 5 months 8 months 9 months 10 weeks
Audience New or aspiring supervisors or team leaders Experienced managers, supervisors, and project leaders New or experienced supervisors, managers, or project managers Managers Executives and leaders women leaders and other supporters of women’s leadership Individuals interested in minority communities VCU and VCU Health employees Planning commissioners, BZA members, professional planners, etc. 
Location Richmond Richmond Richmond Staunton or Harrisonburg

Virginia Beach,  Charlottesville, Richmond

Richmond Richmond, Farmville, DC, Norfolk  Richmond Richmond
Cost $1,200 $1,200 $1,950 $2,100 $4,200 $2,250 $2,150 $3,500

CPC $750
BZA $700

 

A pioneering 48-year career

Grace E. Harris, Ph.D. (1933-2018) helped shape Virginia Commonwealth University during a pioneering 48-year career at the university. She joined the social work faculty at Richmond Professional Institute in 1967, a year before the school merged with the Medical College of Virginia to form VCU, and she would prove to be an integral part of the university’s foundation and growth in the ensuing decades.