Undergraduate Student News

VCU students in the Wilderness and Wildlife course spotted 92 species of birds during a five-day trip in the South Carolina low country this spring. (Contributed photo)

VCU students embrace the call of the wild

June 16, 2025

Two recent environmental studies courses reflect how hands-on learning – sometimes far from campus – is at the heart of the new School of Life Sciences and Sustainability.

VCU students Anusha Soni and Yatri Patel have conducted research focused on a treatment for pancreatitis and its availability for underserved communities. (Contributed photo)

VCU undergraduates visit the halls of power to advocate for pancreatic disease research and funding

June 12, 2025

A showcase for state lawmakers led to an even bigger opportunity for Yatri Patel and Anusha Soni: representing a national coalition in advocacy before Congress.

Sophie Laman is an Honors College student who graduated this month with a forensic science degree (biology concentration) and minors in chemistry, biology and pre-medicine. (Contributed photo)

Class of 2025: Sophie Laman aimed straight for VCU’s forensic science program

May 13, 2025

The Tennessee native will continue exploring crime investigation and medical research this summer.

Krystal Zelaya, who is graduating with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, is wearing a special keepsake for the ceremony: A graduation stole decorated by the dozens of children she has helped nurture as a child care aide on campus. (Photo by Anthony Cardenas)

Class of 2025: Many, many thumbs-up for aspiring teacher Krystal Zelaya

May 9, 2025

The VCU Health child care aide’s graduation gear will feature the colorful handiwork of her young charges.

VCU undergraduates awarded Gilman Scholarships for 2025

May 6, 2025

The federal program supports study abroad for students with financial need.

Tamara Eddy embraced the outdoors while at VCU – both for research and fun. (Contributed photo)

Class of 2025: Tamara Eddy was happily ‘bitten by the bat’

May 6, 2025

The biology major’s love of nature blossomed on an unexpected path framed by the pandemic.

Felicia Fowler will graduate in May with a degree in religious studies from VCU’s College of Humanities and Sciences. (Thomas Kojcsich, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

Class of 2025: Felicia Fowler relishes the long journey to her VCU degree

May 5, 2025

The Residential Life and Housing staff member, who is graduating more than three decades after starting her studies, represents ‘a remarkable story of persistence.’

Merilyn Arikkat, who will graduate in May, is co-executive director of VCU Votes, a student-led, nonpartisan initiative. (Contributed photo)

Class of 2025: VCU Votes co-leader Merilyn Arikkat drives civic engagement among fellow students

April 28, 2025

The biology major and aspiring doctor is among national honorees for championing democracy.

Daniel Gharavi is a junior majoring in biology and business. (Thomas Kojcsich, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

Research internships are a PET project with personal ties for junior Daniel Gharavi

April 25, 2025

The biology and business double-major has worked with a medical imaging pioneer and at the NIH, hoping to advance the tracking of Alzheimer’s in addition to cancer.

Cloud Easterly, a second-year communication arts major at VCU, said the Graphic Narratives Lab fellowship was the push they needed to bring their ideas to life. Here, their character Suko poses with some sidekicks. (Contributed by Cloud Easterly)

Undergraduates flex their comics creativity in VCU’s Graphic Narratives Lab

April 24, 2025

The initial cohort of students explores visual storytelling and scholarship.