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workforce development

Gov. Abigail Spanberger speaks during the InternshipsVA event Feb. 4, 2026, at the Omni Hotel Richmond. Photo courtesy Virginia Economic Development Partnership
Feb 5, 2026

State commits $14.5M yearly for new paid internship program

Virginia political, higher education and economic development leaders announced InternshipsVA, a new statewide program to support paid internships.

Norfolk State University is consistently ranked as one of the nation’s top 20 HBCUs, and the school received a $50 million donation in November 2025 from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott. Photo courtesy Norfolk State University
Feb 1, 2026

Norfolk State hits new fundraising heights

Norfolk State University raised $95.3M, far surpassing its $60M goal, boosting graduation rates, research and workforce training.

InternshipsVA could help the region retain talent, says EO’s Travis Staton. Photo by Earl Neikirk
Feb 1, 2026

EO to lead internship development program

A new statewide initiative is connecting Southwest Virginia businesses with emerging talent at the region’s colleges and universities. The project, InternshipsVA, is administered through the Commonwealth Innovative Internship Fund and Program, also known as the Virginia Talent and Opportunity Partnership. Since June 2025, the Virginia Economic Development Partnership has handled the employer[...]

Richard Foster. Photo by James Lee
Feb 1, 2026

Bridging the workplace soft-skills gap across generations

An editor’s take on Gen Z soft skills, mentorship at work and Virginia Business marking 40 years covering the commonwealth’s business community.

Kenneth Alexander. Photo courtesy Virginia Community College System
Jan 30, 2026

Norfolk mayor named Richard Bland College’s interim president

Norfolk Mayor Kenneth Alexander will serve as interim president of Richard Bland College, effective May 11.

L to R: Virginia Peninsula Community College officials Bobby Perkins, Towuanna Porter Brannon, Steven Carpenter and Todd Estes at trades center groundbreaking Photo courtesy VPCC
Dec 31, 2025

Newport News trades center to power maritime workforce

Virginia Peninsula Community College is building a $9 million trades center in southeast Newport News that will prepare more than 400 students annually for maritime and construction jobs. The 16,000-square-foot facility, which began construction in August 2025, is set to be completed in February and will begin offering programs in welding, structural fitting, marine electrical, […]

VCU’s School of Business is reviewing its courses and proposing ways to integrate AI into them, says Paul Brooks, chair of the school’s information systems department. Photo by Matthew R.O. Brown
Dec 31, 2025

Virginia business schools ramp up AI education

Virginia business schools are expanding AI programs, blending data science and business education to prepare students for data-driven careers and ethical AI use.

Jim Schmidt, James Madison University’s seventh president, expects to release the school’s new strategic plan in April 2026. Photo courtesy James Madison University
Nov 30, 2025

JMU focuses on strengths for strategic planning

JMU President Jim Schmidt outlines plans to boost rural health care, expand nursing programs and strengthen civility on campus.

DOUG SMITH
Nov 2, 2025

DOUG SMITH

PRESIDENT AND CEO HAMPTON ROADS ALLIANCE NORFOLK

Gov. Glenn Youngkin signed on Oct. 31, 2025, a memorandum of understanding with AstraZeneca, Eli Lilly, Merck and state entities to establish a training center. Photo by Katherine Schulte/Virginia Business
Oct 31, 2025

AstraZeneca, Eli Lilly, Merck commit $120M to Virginia pharma training

AstraZeneca, Eli Lilly and Merck committed $120 million to develop an advanced pharmaceutical manufacturing training center in Central Virginia.

Spanberger, Earle-Sears speak on right-to-work, talent pipelines
Oct 14, 2025

Spanberger, Earle-Sears speak on right-to-work, talent pipelines

Virginia's gubernatorial candidates discussed business and how to strengthen the state's workforce pipeline.

IT stock image hands on keyboard
Oct 1, 2025

D.C.-area leaders launch initiative to help laid-off federal workers

Talent Capital, a website launched Wednesday, aims to help laid off federal workers find jobs and keep them in the Greater Washington region.

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