University of Richmond alum helps hospitals optimize pharmacy performance
As CEO of Visante, Spider alum leads a company that works with hospitals to improve their pharmacies’ patient care and financial returns.
The Jepson Leadership Forum
The 2026-27 Jepson Leadership Forum presents Indigenous Leadership: Tradition, Sovereignty, and Survival. Indigenous peoples around the world manage complex relationships with states while sustaining governance systems that predate colonial boundaries. In the United States, Native nations continue to defend their sovereignty and counter cultural misrepresentation. In sub-Saharan Africa, traditional authorities often bridge customary law and state institutions. Across these and other contexts, Indigenous leaders confront shared challenges: safeguarding land and resources, preserving cultural knowledge, securing legal recognition, and advocating for their communities within national and international frameworks. This forum convenes scholars, practitioners, and Indigenous leaders to examine how these leadership systems operate, how they evolved over time, and why they remain vital today.
Jepson School Dean’s Report
At the Jepson School of Leadership Studies, leadership is more than a subject — it’s a lived experience. The 2025–26 Dean’s Report celebrates how our students, faculty, and alumni bring leadership to life through challenging academic work, hands-on research, real-world experiences, and global engagement.
A Faculty of Experts
Jepson faculty help students hone their leadership skills. They also hold prominent places in national and international media, providing insightful opinions and expert views on leadership and issues of the day.
Want to learn more about the Jepson School of Leadership Studies?
Alumni Who Lead
Graduates leave Richmond with knowledge of leadership frameworks and with the critical thinking and communication skills that enable them to excel in their chosen careers.
Feature Stories
University of Richmond senior develops an interest in optometry during internship
An internship at a nonprofit clinic shifts senior’s career focus to optometry, while affirming his commitment to volunteering.
UR Now: RESEARCH & INNOVATION
The Odyssey gives University of Richmond faculty new questions about an old classic
Christopher Nolan’s 21st-century spin on the ancient Greek poem offers new discussion points for Spider classrooms. Professors explain their takes.
Murder most foul: University of Richmond professor and students research a kidnapping-turned-murder
Two sophomores help their professor research the case of a boy’s kidnapping and murder in 1907 New Orleans.
Media Releases
University of Richmond Welcomes Class of 2030 Following Record-Breaking Application Year
Incoming class brings wide-ranging talents and experiences to campus as University begins new academic year.
Student Scholars
Five University of Richmond Graduates Awarded Scholarships to Study at Oxford
Five recent graduates from the University of Richmond’s Jepson School of Leadership Studies have been awarded full scholarships to pursue master’s programs at the University of Oxford.
University of Richmond Seniors Head to Leading Companies and Top Graduate Schools Around the World
The University of Richmond will award more than 1,000 degrees during Commencement ceremonies on May 9 and 10.
NFL Star Kobie Turner is University of Richmond’s 2026 Commencement Speaker; LA Rams Defensive Tackle is UR Alum
A UR alum, Turner double majored in mathematics and music and is a talented vocalist who appeared on The Masked Singer.
Scholars & Practitioners
Williamson awarded at Colloquy
Thad Williamson, professor of leadership studies and philosophy, politics, economics, and law, received the 2026 Distinguished Service Award from the University of Richmond at Colloquy.
Bezio awarded at Colloquy
Kristin M. S. Bezio, professor of leadership studies and Jepson School associate dean of academic affairs, received the 2026 Distinguished Scholarship Award from the University of Richmond at Colloquy.
Hoyt co-publishes article on gender-based biases in leadership evaluations
Crystal Hoyt, professor of leadership studies and psychology, co-published the article "Challenging the Gender Status Quo: How Low Gender System Justification Predicts Pro‐Women Leadership Bias" in the Journal of Organizational Behavior.
Hayter writes the epilogue in a recently published book about Richmond's Robert E. Lee monument
Julian Maxwell Hayter, professor of leadership studies, wrote the epilogue in the book The Buried Cause: Unearthing Hidden History in the Lee Monument Cornerstone, published by University of Virginia Press.
Upcoming Events
Media Placements
Two years after July, who do we trust?
Kazi ASM Nurul Huda, Cmelikova Visiting International Scholar in Leadership and Ethics at the Jepson School of Leadership Studies, authored this piece.
Spoiled for Choice
Leadership studies professor Tom Shields is quoted.
UGC’s centralised research funding must not undermine academic independence
Kazi ASM Nurul Huda, Cmelikova Visiting International Scholar in Leadership and Ethics at the Jepson School of Leadership Studies, authored this piece.
Ex-McGuireWoods Chair Remembered As Brilliant, Fair Leader
Kerstin Soderlund, associate dean at the Jepson School of Leadership Studies, is quoted about the Robert L. Burrus Jr. Fellowships.