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Celebrate this historic year with the Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute at the HIGHER Ground Leadership Development Conference. As we commemorate our 20th anniversary alongside America’s 250th year, we will honor the achievements that have shaped our history and explore what it means to make history through leadership, growth, and possibility. Our 2026 theme,“With Grace, We Rise: Breaking Through to HIGHER Ground,” invites participants to consider how grace, determination, and vision can help leaders break through barriers, reach HIGHER Ground, and leave a lasting legacy.
ABOUT THE INSTITUTE
Housed in the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs, The Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute was established in May 1999 by the Board of Visitors at Virginia Commonwealth University in honor of Grace E. Harris, Ph.D. (1933-2018), upon her retirement from the position of provost and vice president for academic affairs. Dr. Harris served the university for nearly 50 years in the roles of faculty member, dean, vice provost, provost and vice president for academic affairs, and acting president, becoming the highest-ranking woman and highest-ranking African-American in VCU’s history. The Institute develops and implements programs based on principles of collaboration and partnership. Other unique features include its strong theoretical grounding in the concept of transformational leadership, its commitment to long-term relationships with clients and participants and its focus on leadership in academic and community settings.