Director of Academic Affairs Graduates from Virginia Rural Leadership Institute

Congratulations to Director of Academic Affairs Frances Chambers for graduating from the Virginia Rural Leadership Institute (VRLI), the Commonwealth's flagship leadership program focused on developing and empowering existing and emerging rural leaders.

Mrs. Chambers was one of nearly two dozen leaders to graduate as a part of VRLI's fourth cohort. Over the past six months, cohort members engaged in a comprehensive series of sessions held across Virginia's diverse rural regions, including Southside Virginia, Southwest Virginia, the Shenandoah Valley, the Middle Peninsula and the Northern Neck. Each session featured expert-led discussions on key topics such as economic development, housing, education, healthcare, broadband access and agriculture, while also offering immersive, place-based learning experiences with local leaders and community innovators. This year, the program expanded its reach by adding new stops in Luray for the Shenandoah Valley session, Halifax for the Southside session, Wytheville for the Southwest session and made a return visit to St. Paul, where cohort members experienced the region firsthand through an ATV tour or kayaking along the Clinch River.

"In its fourth year, VRLI continues to prove its value by preparing a new generation of leaders who understand both the challenges and opportunities of rural life," said State Senator R. Creigh Deeds, chair of the Senator Frank M. Ruff, Jr. Center for Rural Virginia. "I look forward to seeing the impact this talented group will make as they put their experience and projects into action in their rural communities."

Each VRLI participant completes a community impact project as a capstone to the program. These projects, developed in partnership with a wide range of mentors, the Virginia Rural Center staff and the VRLI Advisory Committee, address issues such as public safety, food security, workforce development, youth engagement, senior support and community revitalization. The initiative ensures that graduates not only gain leadership skills but also leave a tangible mark on their local communities. For her capstone project, Mrs. Chambers and fellow VRLI participant Suffolk Fire Chief Mike Barakey will work with the Town of Wakefield and the Waverly Rescue Squad to launch a community paramedicine program. They also plan to explore options for a regional task force that could share resources and improve emergency response times, as well as review mutual aid agreements within rural southeast Virginia. The goal of their project is to demonstrate how strained small communities can pool resources to bring better healthcare opportunities to rural Virginians via EMS. 

"Through sessions held across five regions, this cohort of leaders deepened their connection to rural Virginia and gained insights from communities that have developed innovative solutions to local challenges," said Kristie Proctor, executive director of the Virginia Rural Center. "Their community impact projects reflect the heart of VRLI by creating practical, lasting change for rural Virginia."

We are so proud of Mrs. Chambers for this accomplishment! Go Saints!