Save the date for Talent Development summer programs

From: Human Resources

The Human Resources Talent Development team looks forward to an exciting summer for professional development. Over the next few months, employees can expect team building with the Professional Development Summer Camp 2026, leadership development with the upcoming Leadership Excellence cohort, and more. 

Below, we’ve highlighted several enriching opportunities for individual, team, and leadership development this season.

Leadership Excellence applications now open

Applications for the Leadership Excellence program, 2026-27 cohort, are now open.  

Virginia Tech faculty and staff can apply directly to the program, or nominate an employee of their choosing. Applications and nominations are due June 12.

The Leadership Excellence program goals include:

• Foster an active learning environment where leaders can interact and tackle real-world problems in a safe, fail-friendly environment.
• Encourage a professional network of leaders to support continued learning and development beyond the program.
• Develop culturally responsive leaders equipped to manage current and future teams with awareness of core competencies.
• Provide knowledge and support for leaders to confidently advance the university’s mission and goals. 

The 2026-27 cohort will meet monthly with a total anticipated time commitment of 8-10 hours to complete the program. Cohort members are expected to complete normal work hours between meetings. 

Visit the Leadership Excellence site for more information about the program.

Summer Games: Summer Camp Challenge

Virginia Tech is launching Professional Development Summer Camp 2026 (formerly Professional Development Summer Games), a program designed to encourage faculty and staff to engage in professional growth throughout the summer months. The program runs from May 18- Aug. 21, and professional development partners across the university are invited to participate.

Professional Development Summer Camp transforms traditional professional development into an engaging experience where participants complete to gain badges across five categories: Leadership, Engagement, Innovation, Accessibility, and Wellness. The program creates friendly competition between individuals and teams while building community and keeping employees engaged. 

Professional development providers are invited to feature their existing programming as part of Summer Camp 2026.  By including their programs in Summer Camp, partners will benefit from increased visibility and participation as employees work toward earning their category badges.

For more information, visit training.vt.edu/summer.

Explore CliftonStrengths with Strengths Academy

Strengths Academy is a full-day immersive experience designed for Virginia Tech faculty, staff, and administrators who want to understand and apply the CliftonStrengths® framework more intentionally in their roles.

On Tuesday, June 16, from 9 a.m.–3 p.m. at the North End Center in Blacksburg, the academy will explore the CliftonStrength Top 5 themes and the four domains, get hands-on with Team Grids and Powerful Partnerships tools, and connect over lunch with experienced Strengths Consultants from across campus.

Space is limited and registration is required. Employees can learn more and plan ahead at training.vt.edu/strengths-academy.

Become a Strengths Consultant

Virginia Tech Strengths Consultants are faculty and staff who facilitate CliftonStrengths® workshops and experiences across campus—and there's an opportunity to join their ranks this summer.

Employees can register to join the Strengths Consultant Cohort Institute happening July 14–15 from 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. at the North End Center in Blacksburg. Over two days, participants will deepen their Strengths knowledge, develop facilitation skills, and leave ready to lead Strengths-based experiences focused on leadership, teamwork, communication, and more. Supervisor support is required to participate.

Register today or learn more at training.vt.edu/strengths-consultants.