Richard Johnson

Community Development Manager @The University of Virginia's College at Wise

Wise, VA, US

As the Community Development Manager at The University of Virginia\'s College at Wise, I lead strategic initiatives aimed at fostering community growth and empowerment. Working closely with local communities, I facilitate outreach and engagement efforts to promote and facilitate capacity building initiatives. By conducting comprehensive needs assessments, I tailor approaches for capacity building or identify alternative plans to address community needs effectively. Additionally, I collaborate with communities to establish or revitalize community development teams, ensuring cohesive groups focused on positive change. My role involves assessing and enhancing leadership skills within these teams, guiding them towards identifying meaningful projects for skill development and providing project management support throughout implementation. I am also responsible for integrating entrepreneurship and business support training into community programs, fostering economic development. Moreover, I manage various program and organizational budgets, collaborating with regional and state stakeholders to leverage resources effectively. Contributing to the design and delivery of coaching summits and leadership programs, I ensure alignment with community capacity building objectives. Furthermore, I engage students from UVA Wise in community development projects, aligning with service learning objectives at the college. Through grant management and multimedia storytelling, I communicate the impact of our capacity building and entrepreneurship activities, fostering a collaborative and diverse community.