The Riley Institute develops leaders who are prepared to strengthen their organizations, communities, and fields. We offer sustained, specialized, and custom professional development experiences that build knowledge, relationships, and the capacity to lead effectively.
Our programs serve leaders at different stages of their journeys—from Furman students developing the skills and experience to engage meaningfully in civic life, to cross-sector leaders working to strengthen their communities, to education leaders advancing opportunities for children and families. Across programs, participants learn from one another, are exposed to evidence-backed practices and frameworks, engage with diverse perspectives, and build networks that extend the impact of their experience well beyond the program itself.
Core Leadership Initiatives
The Riley Institute’s award-winning Diversity Leaders Initiative (DLI) equips leaders with the tools and perspectives needed to strengthen organizational performance by leveraging the unique skills, experiences, and insights of their employees. Participants explore strategies for building stronger talent pipelines, improving recruitment and retention, fostering productive workplaces, and better serving diverse clients and communities. DLI takes a nonpartisan, evidence-informed approach grounded in a simple premise: Organizations and communities are better positioned to thrive when they recognize and leverage the strengths of all people, creating greater opportunity for individuals while supporting a stronger economy. A cornerstone of the program is the Community Action Project, in which cross-sector teams collaborate to address real challenges facing South Carolina communities, applying lessons from the program to create meaningful impact.
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The Riley Institute’s emerging leaders programs—including RISE, Advantage Scholars, and Advance Team—help develop the knowledge, skills, and relationships that support lifelong civic engagement. Through hands-on learning experiences, leadership development, and exposure to complex community challenges, students gain a deeper understanding of public issues and the importance of active participation in civic life. Together, these programs help cultivate a new generation of informed leaders committed to strengthening their communities and advancing the public good.
The Riley Institute equips education and afterschool leaders with the knowledge, networks, and real-world experience to strengthen their fields and the communities they serve. Through the White-Riley-Peterson Policy Fellowship (WRP) and South Carolina Afterschool Leaders Empowered (SCALE), afterschool and expanded learning leaders gain the tools and knowledge to drive change at multiple levels—from shaping policy and systems through WRP to strengthening leadership and practice from the community level up through SCALE. The Teachers of Government program provides middle and high school educators with an immersive exploration of American government, public policy, and civic institutions, helping them bring civics to life for students and strengthen civic learning in classrooms across South Carolina.
Strong nonprofit organizations are essential to thriving communities, bringing people and resources together to address challenges, create opportunities, and drive meaningful change. The Riley Institute’s strategic learning consulting services help nonprofit leaders and their organizations strengthen their capacity and impact by assessing outcomes, measuring effectiveness, and communicating results. Through individualized consulting and capacity-building support, leaders gain the tools and insights to refine their strategies, demonstrate what works, make data-informed decisions, and lead their organizations toward greater impact.
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