Economic Development Badges

The Division of Community Engagement at VCU recognizes the vital role that faculty, students, and community partners play in fostering economic development and social impact. Our Economic Development Badges highlight key areas of engagement that contribute to economic mobility, workforce development, and business growth in our communities.

Available Badges:

• Workforce Development – Recognizes efforts to create job training programs, career readiness initiatives, and skill-building opportunities that prepare individuals for sustainable employment.

• Entrepreneurship & Small Business Support – Honors initiatives that provide resources, mentorship, and support to small businesses, startups, and entrepreneurs.

• Community Wealth Building – Acknowledges projects and partnerships that promote financial literacy, asset-building, and equitable economic opportunities in underserved communities.

• Social Innovation & Impact – Celebrates innovative approaches to addressing social and economic challenges through research, policy, and community-driven solutions.

• University-Industry Partnerships – Highlights collaborations between VCU and industry partners to drive economic growth, research commercialization, and workforce innovation.

These badges serve as a way to recognize and promote the contributions of our VCU community toward a stronger and more equitable economy.

Explore the available opportunities below:

Business
Lean six sigma (Green Belt )	Lean Six Sigma Demystified-Blog
Lean six sigma ( Black Belt)	Lean six sigma black belt link
Coaching for Leaders and Managers	Leadership Coaching Services Link
SHRM - Human Resources Management Certification Prep Program	SHRM Management Certification Prep Program link
Owens and Minor Emerging Leadership Program	Emerging Leaders Program link
Owens and Minor Leadership Development Program	Minor Leadership Development Program
Project Management Essentials certificate	Project Management Link
Human Resources Essentials Certificate	Human Resources Certificate link
Entrepreneur's Journey (HFEA)	Entrepreneur's Journey Link
Education
Strategies to Promote a Culturally Diverse PK-12 Teaching Workforce	Strategies to Promote Culturally Diverse link
AI and Education: Level 1	AI and Education link
Innovation in Education: A Primer	Innovation in Education link
Foundations in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) in K-12	Foundations in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) in K-12
Engineering
Generalist Digital Technology Credential	General Digital link
Engineering Partner School Educator	Engineering Partner School
Engaged Engineer: Bronze	Engaged Engineer link
Engaged Engineer: Silver	Engaged Engineer link
Engaged Engineer: Gold	Engaged Engineer link
Government and Public Affairs
Certified Planning Commissioners' Program (CPC-LUEP)	Planning Commissioners Program
Fundamentals for Supervisors (FFS)	Fundamentals for Supervisors
Supervisors and Managers Bootcamp (SMB)	Supervisors And Managers Bootcamp
Virginia Executive Institute (VEI)	Virginia Executive Institute
Commonwealth Management Institute (CMI)	Commonwealth management institute link
Experienced Supervisors Institute (ESI)	Experienced Supervisors link
Certified Board of Zoning Appeals Program LUEP (BZA-LUEP)	Board of Zoning Appeals link
Inclusive excellence
Executive Leadership Diversity and Inclusion Training	Executive Leadership Diversity link
Innovation
Introduction to Change Management	Introduction to Change Management
Introduction to Business Model Canvas	Introduction to Business Model Canvas
AI and ChatGPT for Innovators	AI and Chatgbt for Innovators link
Sustainability	Sustainability link
Nursing
Mobile Health and Wellness Insight Training	Mobile Health and Wellness Insight Training link
VCU Health
Bilingual Healthcare Staff Member	Bilingual Healthcare Staff Member link