New College Institute (NCI) proudly announces that two of its outstanding team members, Latoshua LeGrant, Chief Information Officer, and Trevor Martin, Workforce Training Instructor, have enrolled in prestigious leadership development programs, reinforcing NCI’s commitment to professional growth and excellence.
Virginia Rural Leadership Institute
Latoshua LeGrant is a member of the Virginia Rural Leadership Institute (VRLI), whose mission “is to retain, attract, and develop rural Virginians into innovative, responsible, and civic minded leaders who build strong communities.” As a signature part of VRLI, cohort members will also complete Community Impact Projects — real-world initiatives that leverage their leadership training to create positive change within their communities. Each project is supported by guidance from a wide range of subject matter experts.
The 2025 VRLI program kicked off May 7 – 9 in Danville, South Boston, and Halifax and includes additional sessions across rural Virginia, with visits slated in Southwest Virginia (Abingdon, Marion, and St. Paul) July 9 – 11, the Shenandoah Valley (Luray, Broadway, and Weyers Cave) September 17 – 19, and the Middle Peninsula and Northern Neck (Tappahannock, Warsaw, and King William County) October 15 – 17. Each session immerses cohort members in local success stories and challenges while offering hands-on leadership and community development training.
“I’m thankful for this unique opportunity to explore and learn from the success to date in our small communities, expand leadership skills, and serve as a catalyst for continued growth in rural Virginia,” stated LeGrant.
NCI’s Joe Sumner, Executive Director, and Olivia Garrett, Chief Advancement Officer, are alumni of the program.
“As a proud alumnus of the Virginia Rural Leadership Institute, I’ve experienced firsthand the value of this incredible program in shaping rural leaders who are ready to drive meaningful change in their communities, stated Sumner. “I’m especially excited to now support Latoshua as she begins her own journey through VRLI — it’s a full-circle moment that speaks to the power of investing in people and rural places.”
Leadership M-HC
Trevor Martin recently completed the Martinsville-Henry County Chamber of Commerce’s 2024 Leadership M-HC, which is a project-driven program designed to enhance participants’ leadership vision and effectiveness; uncover their individual leadership styles; foster appreciation for team diversity; and strengthen their connection to the Chamber, City, County, and broader community. This program consisted of seven sessions and provided Martin with the opportunity to network with peers and contribute to the community, increase his leadership skills, and become more engaged in opportunities to support the community.
“Participating in the 2024 Leadership M-HC Program has been an incredibly rewarding experience,” stated Martin. “It gave me a deeper understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities in our community and helped me grow both professionally and personally. Connecting with local leaders and fellow participants inspired me to think more strategically about how I can contribute to meaningful progress in Martinsville-Henry County. I’m grateful for the opportunity and excited to apply what I’ve learned in my role moving forward.”
“We are incredibly proud of Latoshua and Trevor for their achievements,” said Joe Sumner, Executive Director at NCI. “Their hard work and passion for growth are inspiring, and we look forward to the positive impact they will continue to make across our organization.”
These accomplishments underscore NCI’s ongoing investment in employee development and leadership training as it prepares its workforce to meet future challenges and opportunities.
For more information on the Virginia Rural Leadership Institute, please visit https://www.cfrv.org/vrli.
For more information on the 2024 Leadership M-HC Program, please visit https://www.martinsville.com.