Alum and Donor News

Sesha Joi Moon, Ph.D., a two-time VCU graduate, joined the U.S. House of Representatives' Office of Diversity and Inclusion as its director this summer. (Kristina Aleksander, U.S. House of Representatives Office of Diversity and Inclusion)

Alum Sesha Joi Moon ‘working with purpose and on purpose’ as leader of diversity, equity and inclusion at U.S. Capitol

Aug. 24, 2022

Moon, a two-time VCU graduate who this summer became the director of the U.S. House of Representatives’ Office of Diversity and Inclusion, encourages students to have ‘equal parts patience and perseverance’ as they embark on their careers.

Madeline Doane, who graduated from VCU in May 2020, is in the midst of a Spanish immersion program at Middlebury Language Schools in Middlebury, Vermont. (Contributed photo)

VCU graduate’s peace fellowship supports her commitment to human rights work

Aug. 18, 2022

Madeline Doane, who spent a semester in Argentina and hopes to return to work with migrants and Indigenous peoples, is completing a Spanish immersion program as a Kathryn Davis Fellow for Peace.

"Birth of a Planet" premiered in June at the Richmond Film Festival. (Contributed image)

‘Birth of a Planet’ spotlights the life of Richmond Planet founder John Mitchell Jr.

Aug. 9, 2022

VCU alum Scot Crooker played an instrumental part in creating the half-hour documentary.

Leslie Bolda, in Bariloche, which is in the western part of Argentina situated on a lake called Nahuel Huapi surrounded by the Andes Mountains. Contributed photo.

VCU alum is loving her time in Argentina, helping to teach English

July 22, 2022

Leslie Bolda got the chance to live and work in South America thanks to a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant award.

At two high-profile events in Washington, D.C., celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Pell Grant program, Virginia Commonwealth University grad and Pell Grant recipient Anir Ahant will share his story and explain how the need-based grant program set him up for success at VCU and beyond. (Photo by Isaiah Mamo, University Marketing)

As part of the Pell Grant’s 50th anniversary, a VCU grad is sharing his story with federal policymakers

June 22, 2022

Anir Ahant, who graduated in May, will co-moderate a reception hosted by national higher education organizations and will speak at a congressional briefing at the U.S. Capitol.

Melissa Mason, a VCU School of Social Work and College of Humanities and Sciences alum, and her childhood best friend Lillian Jackson co-founded Brown Skin Brunchin', a platform geared toward encouraging women of color to connect and build relationships over brunch. (Allen Jones, University Marketing)

For VCU alum and 25,000 others using her platform, meaningful connections start with brunch

June 13, 2022

Melissa Mason’s business, Brown Skin Brunchin’, has helped thousands of minority women connect, personally and professionally, in 71 cities across three countries.

Holly Guelig has worked as a counselor at Greenwood Elementary School in Henrico County since 2013. (Owen Wachter, VCU School of Education)

Holly Guelig: ‘I get to be a game changer’

May 31, 2022

VCU School of Education alum and Virginia Elementary School Counselor of the Year found her dream job.

Sylvester A, Johnson, Ph.D., founding director of the Virginia Tech Center for Humanities; Michael Lynch, Ph.D.; Andrew Crislip, Ph.D., William E. Blake Chair in the History of Christianity at VCU; William E. Blake, Ph.D. professor emeritus at VCU. (Department of History)

A longtime military officer and historian returns to VCU

April 15, 2022

Michael Lynch, Ph.D., receives the 2022 Graduate Alumni Achievement Award from the Department of History.

Deonte Young (VCU Alumni)

Alum educator seeks equal access and opportunity for all students

March 31, 2022

Deonte Young pursues ways to influence educational policy and create a more equitable public school system.

Daryl Van Tongeren, Ph.D. (Photo courtesy Daryl Van Tongeren)

Widely published psychology alum hopes to help create 'a more compassionate world'

March 23, 2022

Daryl Van Tongeren, Ph.D., studies some of life’s biggest questions — the meaning of life, religion, virtues, to name a few.