Message from the Dean
Welcome to Virginia Commonwealth University's College of Humanities and Sciences!
We pride ourselves on being the intellectual heart and soul of VCU—home to 15 different departments, three schools, and eight centers. As you explore what CHS has to offer, I hope you'll feel the energy and possibility embedded in the simple word "and." (Look out for our famous ampersand statue around campus.) Here, humanities and sciences don't exist in isolation but in dynamic conversation, creating space for you to pursue unexpected combinations, ask bigger questions, and forge your own distinctive path.
Within CHS, you have remarkable freedom to design an education that reflects your unique interests and ambitions. Whether that means a double major bridging seemingly distant fields, or taking advantage of forward-thinking programming like our new minors in AI Studies or Native and Indigenous Studies, your options are vast. We are also proud to support students at every stage of their journey, providing vital support for transfer students through the Dean's Pathways Program and offering a growing number of accelerated bachelor's-to-master's opportunities.
Nearly 50% of VCU undergraduates claim at least one major in our College, making us the academic home for more students than any other college or school at the university. This pattern isn't simply a matter of size—it speaks to the fundamental role a liberal arts and sciences education plays in preparing you for meaningful work and a deeply fulfilling life.
In our classrooms, labs, and studios, you'll master the essential skills of your discipline while learning to think critically, communicate effectively, and solve complex problems. Because CHS is a central driver of VCU's R1 research mission, you will have exceptional opportunities for hands-on internships, experiential learning, and undergraduate research that allows you to contribute new knowledge to your field. That is where you develop not just expertise, but the adaptability and insight that will serve you throughout your career and life.
The College of Humanities and Sciences exists to propel scientific research that improves human health and our environment, to ground us in our history while empowering you to build more equitable communities, and to provide the creative, skilled workforce that drives innovation and economic vitality. We are actively equipping our community to tackle the complex social, scientific, and cultural challenges of the 21st century. For example, new initiatives like the Michelle and David Baldacci Institute for Civil Discourse and Civic Engagement provide opportunities to think about what it means to be a citizen and engage in meaningful exchange.
Most importantly, we're here to help you explore your deepest questions about what it means to be human and humane, to understand your place in the world, and to recognize your connections with others across time and distance. Whatever your passions or interests, I invite you to fully embrace your "and"—to pursue the combinations and possibilities that excite you most. Together, we'll work toward transforming not just your life, but our shared humanity in ways that create a more just and vibrant world.
Warmly,
Catherine Ingrassia, Ph.D.
Dean
VCU’s College of Humanities and Sciences