Spring into action with Talent Development resources
From: Human Resources
Spring is a great time for employees and teams to revive commitments and reassess goals for the year. With performance management tools, support from HR partners, and the return of the WickedCon professional development conference, the Human Resources Talent Development team is here to help employees flourish.
WickedCon returns this spring
The fourth annual WickedCon professional development conference, "Influencing Change and Solving Wicked Problems," will be held on May 7 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at both the North End Center in Blacksburg and online, giving attendees flexibility to participate in the way that works best for them.
This free event is open to all Virginia Tech faculty, staff, and graduate students whose work encompasses professional and leadership development. The full-day conference will include concurrent one-hour presentations and workshops, multiple breakout sessions, a hosted lunch, dedicated networking time to connect with colleagues, and a keynote speech from Peter Doolittle, professor of educational psychology at the School of Education at Virginia Tech.
This year’s themes include Leveraging Technology and Data, Learning and Engagement Strategies, Leadership and Driving Change, and Accessibility and Design Solutions. New and returning presenters are welcome to submit theme-related presentation proposals on the WickedCon website.
This is an excellent opportunity to share insights, learn new strategies, and engage with the professional development community at Virginia Tech.
For more information, visit the WickedCon website or contact vttraining@vt.edu with questions. Registration will open April 1.
Collaborative team progress with Touchpoints
Spring is the perfect time for supervisors and employees to take stock of their performance progress and reassess goals in motion. These conversations are also known as Touchpoints. Regular Touchpoints are most effective when both parties step back with fresh eyes to review progress, celebrate what's going well, and identify where adjustments are needed.
Supervisors can renew their commitment to thoughtful management and leadership, while employees can take ownership of their role by offering new ideas, challenges, and development goals. These conversations thrive when both parties actively participate to create a collaborative space for reflection, recalibration, and clarity around next steps.
When Touchpoints become a shared responsibility rather than a supervisor-driven task, they transform into energizing conversations that help everyone move forward with renewed focus and purpose.
Learn more in the Touchpoints Guide for Employees.
Spotlight on Performance Management partnerships
Performance management at Virginia Tech is driven by incredible partnerships with HR representatives across campus who support managers and employees as essential collaborators between day-to-day practice and university policy. HR representatives bring essential knowledge of their college or division's unique culture while applying the performance philosophy of accountability and growth.
They answer complex questions, coach managers and employees through difficult conversations, customize approaches to fit specific needs, and help teams look back on progress with fresh eyes to identify what's working and where adjustments might strengthen future results.
As Virginia Tech renews its commitment to excellence this season, HR partners continue to work diligently behind the scene to facilitate a culture where feedback, growth, and recognition can truly flourish.
Employees can learn more about HR representatives on the Performance Management site.
Get ready for Leadership Excellence
The application period for the 2026–27 Leadership Excellence program opens soon, and we encourage all interested faculty and staff to prepare to apply or nominate a colleague. Visit the Leadership Excellence website to explore program goals, time commitments, and what participants gain from the experience. You can also attend WickedCon to connect with past program graduates.
Talent Development’s mission is to educate, engage, and empower the Virginia Tech workforce through comprehensive learning experiences tailored to individual growth, leadership development, and team/organizational effectiveness. Learn more about these tailored resources on the training website. Complete this form to request team training or facilitated learning events.