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Dean’s Pathways Program

VCU’s College of Humanities and Sciences is pleased to offer the Dean’s Pathways Program.

Formed through a partnership between the College of Humanities and Sciences and Strategic Enrollment Management and Student Success, the Dean’s Pathways Program supports and guides community college transfer students through the College of Humanities and Sciences.

At the center of this program is REAL 399: Dean’s Pathways Seminar. This once-per-week course provides students a foundation for success in the College of Humanities and Sciences….at no cost. What’s more, each student will receive a stipend upon successful completion of the course.

In Fall, 2026,  two sections of REAL 399: Dean’s Pathways Seminar will be offered:

  • REAL 399, section 25: Thursdays, 9:30-10:45, Hibbs 264
  • REAL 399, section 26: Fridays, 9:30-10:45, STEM 112 

While Real 399 is designed for community college transfer students, it is open to any transfer student who holds an associate’s degree. 

What will you gain through Dean’s Pathways? 

  • Immediate connection to a supportive community of faculty, peer mentors, and fellow transfer students 
  • Advice and insight from peer mentors (who are themselves community college transfers) for making the leap to VCU
  • A personalized plan to make the most of your new academic, co-curricular, and extracurricular landscape
  • Connections to research, internships, national scholarship opportunities, study abroad, and more. 
  • Guaranteed review for admission to CHS accelerated bachelor’s-to-masters programs

Who is eligible for the Dean’s Pathways Program? 

Incoming community college transfer students who hold an associate’s degree (AA/AS) and are majoring in one of the following degree programs:

  • African American Studies
  • Anthropology
  • Bioinformatics
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • English
  • Environmental Studies
  • Foreign Language
  • Forensic Science
  • Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies
  • History
  • Health, Physical Education, and Exercise Science
  • International Studies
  • Mass Communications
  • Mathematical Sciences
  • Philosophy
  • Physics
  • Political Science
  • Psychology
  • Science
  • Sociology

How do you join Dean’s Pathways?

Prospective transfer students for the fall 2026 cohort will be contacted via email during summer 2026. 

To learn more about the Dean’s Pathways Program, please contact Peter Henry, director, at prhenry@vcu.edu.