Continuing and Professional Education

On Oct. 16, VCU Continuing and Professional Education (VCU CPE) joined human resources (HR) leaders from across the region as they gathered at the Dewey Gottwald Center for the 16th annual Richmond SHRM Strategic Leadership Conference. This year’s theme, “Charting a Leadership Course: Adapting, Innovating, and Empowering HR,” highlighted the evolving role of leadership in navigating complex challenges while keeping people at the heart of organizational success.

The conference featured a full day of forward-thinking speakers, interactive sessions and networking opportunities all designed to help HR professionals navigate their evolving workplaces with confidence and creativity. 

As proud sponsors, VCU Continuing and Professional Education was honored to support this exchange of ideas, along with peers from the VCU's Central HR office. Our ongoing partnership with Richmond SHRM reflects our shared mission to strengthen today’s workforce through education and collaboration. Richmond SHRM Executive Director Townley Goldsmith-Ray noted that higher education partnerships “provide Richmond SHRM members with access to cutting-edge research, academic expertise, and emerging best practices in HR and business,” while also facilitating “networking opportunities with future HR professionals, offering mentorship, internships, and insight into evolving industry trends.”

This year’s conference showcased innovative HR strategies and discussions. Goldsmith-Ray said a panel featuring local HR leaders was a standout moment, noting how it offered a “forward-looking perspective on the competencies, mindsets, and innovations that will define successful HR leadership in the years ahead.”