First Virginia Leadership Academy to take place on RU campus

Student leaders from across Virginia will be charged to "take the lead" at the inaugural Virginia Leadership Academy (VLA) at Radford University.

The Academy, to be held from May 14 – 16, is hosted by the RU Division of Student Affairs and sponsored by the Virginia Association of Student Personnel Administrators (VASPA).

Three Virginia institutions of higher education are joining Radford in the creation of VLA: Old Dominion University, Virginia Commonwealth University and the University of Mary Washington.

Approximately 40-50 student leaders, along with vice presidents of student affairs, deans of students and SGA advisers from each campus, will participate in an intensive three-day, two-night program facilitated by leadership training professional Tracy Knofla, co-owner and featured presenter for High Impact Training, a nationally recognized training and development company.

"Hosting the conference is also an opportunity for RU students to support and advance the field of leadership and facilitate an exchange of ideas across a diverse group of student affairs and student leadership experts," said RU Dean of Students Irvin Clark.

Attendees to VLA will participate in team building exercises, skill development workshops, networking opportunities, professional presentations, interaction with college administrators and more. They will also leave with a new statewide web of peers who can offer perspective on challenges faced on a particular campus.

"Hopefully, these students will meet counterparts at other universities and now they can pick up a phone and say 'We're facing this problem. Have you faced it and how did you deal with it?'" said RU Vice President of Student Affairs Mark Shanley.

VLA events will take place both on campus and at Selu Conservancy, a 380-acre retreat/meeting center and classroom facility, located seven miles from campus. The Conservancy includes a 4,000 square-foot "Barn" equipped with meeting rooms, an observatory and the Selu Retreat Center.

May 6, 2014