College of Humanities and Sciences

Equity, Inclusion and Diversity

As a student in the College of Humanities and Sciences (CHS), you will be appreciated for your unique background and perspectives.

You can expect the courses you take, the new friendships you embark on and the clubs and organizations you become a part of to reflect diversity in numerous forms.

We value your different perspectives, life experiences, cultural backgrounds and social identities. These foster our shared principles of inclusive excellence. Our commitment to social justice and equity are further demonstrated through community engagement. You will see our values reflected in activities that promote equity within our local community, whether through experiential learning classes, working on a community-based research project or volunteering.

You can expect resources, such as wellness activities, counseling, training and special events. These resources also include those that are uniquely tailored to your cultural group or social identity. We believe you will feel empowered by the many opportunities available to enable you to be successful.

Get Involved

v.c.u. students walking outside cabell library

As a student at VCU, you'll find multitudes of opportunities to engage with other people—people with similar interests, people who are completely different, people you’d never meet otherwise.

They’ll make your college experience meaningful and help you be a part of something bigger than yourself.

Explore opportunities

Equity, Inclusion and Diversity Highlights

This week, Gladys Shaw, left, will be graduating with a Ph.D. in neuroscience from the VCU School of Medicine. She and three other graduating students were part of VCU's Initiative for Maximizing Student Development Ph.D. Program. (Courtesy of Gladys Shaw).

Dec. 9, 2022

Class of 2022: Four standouts in research training program for underrepresented students earn their doctorates

The Initiative for Maximizing Student Development program at VCU expands opportunities for biomedical students from historically excluded groups. Four Ph.D. students from the program will be graduating this month, the biggest class in its history.

Faye Belgrave, Ph.D., encourages students, faculty and staff to venture off campus and engage with the local community to have the full VCU experience. (Jeffrey Kraus, VCU Office of Institutional Equity, Effectiveness and Success)

Dec. 8, 2022

Growing up in the segregated South inspires professor to pursue avenues that bring people together

Faye Belgrave urges students and researchers to seek out community engagement connections.

Bo Belotti was drawn to VCU because of its emphasis on diversity and inclusion, its strong political science program, its proximity to state government and Richmond's highly engaged activist community. (Contributed photo

Dec. 7, 2022

Class of 2022: Bo Belotti trained as an activist scholar while pursuing change at the local and state levels

Belotti, a political science major, organized protests, developed and advocated for policies, worked on electoral campaigns and strengthened his skill set, all in hopes of making a difference.

Equity and inclusion: our core values

Within the College of Humanities and Sciences, inclusion and diverse representation are vital for the continued forward progression of the university. I see these values exemplified through the mentorship I receive from BIPOC faculty with identities salient to my own, diverse representation of students within my program, as well as through the growing recognition of and increasing value placed on community engaged work within my department.

Bianca 
Owens
Health Psychology Doctoral Student