Dedication, Travel, and a Kitten Named London — Meet VPC’s Cynthia Price

By Terry Haycock

Cynthia Price was national president when I first met her at the 2010 NFPW convention in Chicago. Illinois Woman’s Press Association (IWPA) was hosting the event, and I was working with NFPW member Cecilia Green on physical arrangements; Cecilia introduced us in passing. I was impressed with her expert handling of the events throughout the conference. Eight years later, when I walked into a VPC networking event in Richmond, hers was the familiar face smiling in welcome from across the room. I felt at home.

This talented, committed lady has worked for the University of Richmond for the past five-plus years. Recently promoted to associate vice president for media and public relations, Cynthia is busy getting a new UR digital news digest ready for launch in January. The task includes developing content and hiring an editor. I was lucky to catch up with her!

Although originally from Pennsylvania, Cynthia chose Radford University near southwest Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. She wanted a college that offered English and journalism as majors and provided volleyball and field hockey opportunities. Once at Radford, she bypassed sports and became the youngest editor of the University’s newspaper after first turning down the job because her interview with multiple University officials was “the most challenging interview experience in my life.” Turning the job down with an explanation of how poor the experience had been eventually led to a higher salary. “It was a valuable experience that prepared me for all future interviews,” Cynthia says.

She loves travel and was attending an NFPW conference in North Dakota when she decided to visit all 50 states before turning 50 — and she did it! The final state was Alaska where she attended, no surprise, another NFPW conference. She has also traveled internationally and loves London, where she plans to visit again sometime in 2020.

Asked what she likes to do in her spare time, Cynthia likes to curl up with a good book and her black kitten London. She says her home is her sanctuary where she gardens, is writing a mystery novel and a book about her 50-state travels, and enjoys reading mysteries, leadership books, and book club selections that lead her to books she “probably wouldn’t read otherwise.”

Asked how she discovered VPC, she said, “I don’t have one of those interesting stories about someone who brought me to the organization; I heard about it somewhere. I’m an introvert, and joining an organization was outside my comfort zone at the time, but I love challenges.” 

These challenges led to local, district, and national duties. She says that her 30-year membership has provided opportunities for professional growth and effective transitions. You will want to look for this fascinating member at the next VPC gathering. It’s not everyone in the US who can say they “… go home to London every night!”