Emerging Leaders Program Fosters VMI Staff Growth

Virginia Military Institute employees are finding ways to grow in their careers and within themselves thanks to a program called Emerging Leaders through the Center for Leadership and Ethics (CLE). 

The lecture and seminar series serves as an opportunity for faculty and staff to participate in monthly professional development training.

Col. David Gray, director of the CLE, said the program is aimed at helping people better understand themselves and relate with one another, especially with improving communications with fellow staff and cadets.  

“We want to develop a bench of folks who over the years progressively will take over leadership positions within committees, within the departments, and perhaps within the Institute itself,” Gray said. 

The program’s inception was in 2017. Under General Order 87, VMI has a tiered progressive professional development program for staff, faculty, and classified employees, which consists of three parts: an Institute-dictated core program, departmental and directorate directed opportunities, and individual self-study. 

The Emerging Leaders course covers the following constructs and objectives: 

• Understanding My Strengths 
• Communication within the VMI Culture 
• Meeting Management 
• Conflict Management 
• Coaching Techniques 
• Decision-Making Skills 
• Finance and Budgeting 

Gray said the Institute runs on three pillars — military, academics, and athletics — that don’t always communicate with one another. 

“This professional development is oriented on threading those together,” he said.  

The seminar series averages about eight to 12 people each session. Those who participate are selected by their department heads, specifically those who could be seen leading in the future, Gray said.  

“What they’re looking at is back to the bench. “Who do I see leading in the future in some capacity? Then try and funnel them.”

Each year the seminar series is a bit different. Gray said there’s research done on how to improve the program with feedback they receive from participants, making it as interactive as possible.  

“I believe we’ve captured the fundamental skills and behaviors that you need to be an effective leader,” Gray said. “This course is really looking to help people in the middle. They’re not brand new, they’ve got some experience, but you need a little bit more to work with your colleagues across the Institute. Hopefully, we give them enough so that they can be more effective in leading.” 

The benefit of this experience is creating leaders the Institute can be proud of through a personalized program. 

“We’re all about developing exceptional leaders. The staff and faculty here are the role models for cadets. This is about education and practice,” Gray said.