Undergraduate Student News

Varsha Penumalee, a VCU biology major, serves on the Active Minds national student advisory committee, helping chapters on other campuses expand mental health advocacy. (Dean Hoffmeyer, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

VCU undergraduate honored for mental health advocacy with a national reach

March 18, 2026

Through Active Minds and NAMI, Varsha Penumalee has made a mark far beyond campus, driven by a belief that mental health should be accessible, culturally responsive and grounded.

Sanjana Gupta, an Honors College student, is participating in a variety of activities at VCU, including being a member of the Medical Journal Club, volunteering at the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU, serving as a tutor and working as marketing co-lead for TEDxVCU. (Development and Alumni Relations)

Scholarship feeds student’s passion for medicine

March 17, 2026

Sanjana Gupta, an aspiring pediatrician, is benefiting from the VCUAA Endowed Honors Scholarship.

Alexander Campbell sits on the floor of the Virginia House of Delegates. Campbell has been involved in the political process since he was 9 and today works for Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker. (Contributed image)

Justice, education and advocacy propel Alexander Campbell

Jan. 28, 2026

The senior, who led the push for new state legislation when he was a child, today serves on the Virginia Board for People with Disabilities and works for a member of the Virginia House of Delegates – among many other efforts.

Valerie Shcherbakova graduated this past December with her undergraduate degree in health, physical education and exercise science, with a concentration in exercise science. (Contributed image)

How I found my research: Dance leads the way for Valerie Shcherbakova

Jan. 22, 2026

The recent exercise sciences graduate sees movement and global health care as ideal partners.

Kiersten Fultz was in the first cohort of students in VCU’s accelerated forensics program. (Contributed image)

Class of 2025: Kiersten Fultz found her focus in forensic science

Jan. 16, 2026

The transfer student is among the first graduates from VCU’s accelerated master’s program, and she is heading way out west to work as a DNA analyst.

Kyler Gilliam served as director of the VCU InSight broadcast program, a staff writer and producer for The Commonwealth Times and president of the National Association of Black Journalists at VCU. (Dean Hoffmeyer, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

Class of 2025: Kyler Gilliam completes unique degree path

Dec. 17, 2025

Gilliam, who has gained experience as a writer, producer and director, marked a VCU first with his double-major in broadcast journalism and multimedia production.

Chelsea Rushbrook focused on addiction studies as part of her psychology major at VCU. (Dean Hoffmeyer, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

Class of 2025: Chelsea Rushbrook finds, and shares, success in recovery

Dec. 12, 2025

Powered by her experience with substance use disorder and the justice system, the psychology major wants her studies and her peer support to continue.

Sarah Hagen, the managing editor of The Commonwealth Times, honed her reporting skills as a VCU journalism student, garnering praise for her “rigorous persistence” and her committment to informing the community. (Photo by Dean Hoffmeyer, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

Class of 2025: Sarah Hagen shines in mass (and brass) communications

Dec. 3, 2025

From the headlines of news coverage to the sidelines of Rams games, the student journalist and Peppas trombonist has reflected a passion for VCU.

Darreon Barner is graduating from VCU with a mass communications degree with a concentration in media production. (Contributed image)

Class of 2025: On film and in life, Darreon Barner sets a rich scene

Dec. 2, 2025

With an embrace of media production, the Brunswick County native hopes to make a mark in Hollywood and his hometown.

Demond Middleton II is set to graduate from VCU six years after accepting his late mother Kristy’s diploma during VCU’s commencement activities. (Dean Hoffmeyer, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

Class of 2025: Demond Middleton II still carries his mom’s spirit

Dec. 1, 2025

The psychology major and aspiring counselor first crossed the stage in 2019 – at age 15 – to accept his mother’s posthumous diploma.