Continuing and Professional Education

Process Consultation

Do people regularly ask you for help at work? If so, then you may be in a consulting role. When co-workers and clients ask for help, the process consultation model helps professionals operate with clarity, trust, and thoughtful inquiry. Process Consultation is a six-week, online synchronous introductory course that builds a consultant mindset by introducing the core principles and practices of process consultation.

Through learning activities, discussion, knowledge checks, and applied reflection, participants will practice using a consultant mindset when responding to requests for help within their organization. The course emphasizes practical, real-world application and tools, including active listening, diagnostic questioning, stakeholder identification, contracting, boundary setting, and role clarification.

This course is designed for professionals who provide guidance, support, problem-solving, or advisory services, especially those who are new to consulting or want to bring more structure to their approach. It is a good fit for employees who regularly help teams clarify needs, manage expectations, navigate ambiguity, and build trust while maintaining appropriate boundaries and role clarity. No prior consulting experience is required.

Learn more at https://ocpe.vcu.edu/what-we-offer/interest/business-and-leadership/process-consultation/

Mindful Leadership Series

In an era of constant change and increasing complexity, effective leadership starts from within. Designed for leaders at every stage, this series blends mindfulness practices with proven leadership strategies to help you stay grounded, communicate with authenticity, and create teams that thrive. Modern leadership requires more than strategy; it demands self-awareness, emotional intelligence and the ability to respond with clarity.

This fall, we’re excited to announce Introduction to Change: The Neuroscience of Personal and Leadership Transformation, the third course in our Mindful Leadership series. This course introduces the neuroscience behind how change occurs in the brain and how individuals can intentionally reshape their thinking, behaviors, and emotional responses to achieve new outcomes. Led by Yedda Stancil at The Innerwork Center, participants will explore how habits are formed, why change can be difficult, and how neuroplasticity supports the development of new patterns.

Learn more about the Mindful Leadership series at https://ocpe.vcu.edu/what-we-offer/interest/business-and-leadership/mindful-leadership/

Data Analysis and Business Intelligence

Maximize your productivity with advanced data modeling, reporting, and interactive dashboards to make informed, data-driven decisions in the workplace. Whether you’re a foundational spreadsheet user or an intermediate data professional, these courses will help you turn data into a powerful asset by mastering Excel, Power BI, and QuickBooks to eliminate slow, manual workflows and repetitive data entry tasks. Designed for immediate workplace impact, these in-person sessions provide immersive, hands-on training directly from an expert instructor.

Learn more at https://ocpe.vcu.edu/what-we-offer/interest/technology/data-analysis-and-business-intelligence/

Workplace Learning Summit

The Workplace Learning Summit is an immersive, one-day conference designed for human resource managers, department leaders, and forward-thinking professionals. Bridge the gap between theory and real-world execution to master a practical toolkit to strengthen team dynamics and build a more resilient workforce.

This immersive experience unites professionals across the Richmond region under a critical theme: Creating Connection at Work: Communicating, Collaborating, and Building Trust. The program is designed to cultivate the essential communication and trust-building skills that drive organizational success.

The day launches with a fast-paced Learning Showcase where facilitators preview key insights, giving participants a comprehensive look at the impactful frameworks driving today's workforce strategies. From there, attendees customize their path by selecting two interactive deep-dive sessions focused on hands-on skill practice, experiential learning, and strategic reflection. No prior experience is required. Participants at all career stages are welcome.

Learn more at https://ocpe.vcu.edu/what-we-offer/interest/business-and-leadership/workplace-learning-summit/

Public Health Communication Series

We are proud to partner with VCU’s School of Public Health to provide Foundations of Public Health Decision-Making: a program of flexible, job-ready micro-credentials directly addressing emerging workforce demands and the root causes of systemic health disparities. Driven by a shared mission to build healthier, more equitable communities, this program equips participants with the data-driven insights and evidence-based prevention strategies needed to transform public health policies and champion meaningful change on both a local and global scale.

Designed to bridge foundational theory with hands-on practice, the curriculum is organized into four distinct learning modules. Students begin by exploring Population Health Assessment and Public Health Systems, Policy, and Values to sharpen their data analysis skills and understand the socio-economic drivers behind health disparities. They then advance to Evidence-Based Prevention and Health Promotion and Global and Ecological Health Systems, learning how to design actionable community interventions and navigate the interconnected environmental factors that impact global wellness.

This program is ideal for mission-driven individuals who want to make a tangible impact on community well-being, including current healthcare professionals, nonprofit organizers, and social justice advocates. It is also highly valuable for undergraduate students across any discipline, seeking a credential that demonstrates a commitment to improving equitable population health outcomes.

Learn more at https://ocpe.vcu.edu/what-we-offer/interest/health/public-health/

Introduction to Sickle Cell Disease

Enhance your caregiving and medical expertise with Introduction to Sickle Cell Disease, a new self-paced, online course developed by clinicians from the VCU Department of Internal Medicine's Sickle Cell Disease Program. Taking just 3 to 5 hours, this course provides foundational knowledge of sickle cell disease, including disease pathology, pain management, acute and chronic complications, care coordination, and the transition from pediatric to adult care.

Built to fit the busy schedules of the diverse network of people supporting individuals with sickle cell disease–including community healthcare workers, patient navigators, caretakers, and medical professionals–the program represents a powerful collaboration between the VCU Department of Internal Medicine’s Sickle Cell Disease Program team, VCU Continuing and Professional Education, and LEDstudio, all working together under the Sickle Cell Care Coordination for Achieving Patient Empowerment (SCCAPE) project.

Participants have 90 days to complete the course from the day of registration.

Learn more at https://ocpe.vcu.edu/what-we-offer/interest/health/introduction-to-sickle-cell-disease/