Alum and Donor News

Rachel Beanland

Catching up with English M.F.A. graduate and novelist Rachel Beanland

Aug. 13, 2026

Rachel Beanland (M.F.A.’20) launched her third novel “The Half Life” in July 2026.

A new minor in Native American and Indigenous studies reflects VCU’s growing spotlight on the centrality of Indigenous peoples, their contributions and their ongoing presence in America and Virginia. (File photo)

VCU offering new minor in Native American and Indigenous studies

Aug. 12, 2026

Debuting this fall in the College of Humanities and Sciences, the curriculum reflects growing ties to Virginia’s tribal nations.

Rayan Ibrahim

Department of Mathematics and Statistics doctoral alum teaches the next generation of mathematicians

July 16, 2026

Rayan Ibrahim, Ph.D. (M.S.’21, Ph.D.’24), shares his passion for numbers and research with his students at Hamilton College

Dalton Echard

Compound Interest: Physics masters alum brings technical expertise to nanoscience sales

July 14, 2026

Dalton Echard (M.S.’16) shows there are many industry paths to utilize a physics education

Isra'a Nour surrounded by a large group of smiling children and women wearing vibrant, colorful hijabs and headscarves

Anthropology and biology major manages humanitarian work at home and abroad

June 29, 2026

Isra’a Nour (B.S.’15) serves as a program manager at Open Society Foundations, a nonprofit organization focused on human rights, equity, and justice, where she supports advocacy work.

As both an undergraduate and dental student, Sara Khraibut formed close relationships at VCU and grew as a person and clinician.(School of Dentistry)

Periodontist Sara Khraibut returns to Kuwait after 11 years, 2 degrees and 1 residency at VCU

June 24, 2026

Khraibut, who will work for the Ministry of Health in her home country, said VCU has ‘helped shape me into the person I am today.’

Four new VCU Fulbright recipients will travel to Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Brazil. (File photo)

Two current VCU students, three recent alums receive prestigious Fulbright awards

June 2, 2026

The selections continue VCU’s upward trend of honorees in the federal cultural exchange program.

Angela Gates, a Pharm.D. graduate from VCU, matched for a residency at the Central Virginia VA Health Care System, where she will focus on ambulatory care and have deep interaction with patients. (Contributed image)

Class of 2026: Pharm.D. graduate and runner Angela Gates knows her courses

May 15, 2026

She earned her second degree from VCU, and her path ahead includes more marathons and a residency with the local VA medical center.

VCU alum Alex Coyle before the Super Bowl LX halftime show. Coyle was assigned to one of the handheld camera operators responsible for filming the production. (Contributed Photo)

From Marvel to the Super Bowl, VCU alum has worked on the crews of some high-profile productions

May 1, 2026

Alex Coyle recently was on the field for Bad Bunny’s historic halftime show, and she also has been a part of the camera team on projects such as ‘The Gray Man’ and ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.’

Amy Chavis

Physics alum instrumental in distribution of liver treatments to patients

April 22, 2026

Amy Chavis (B.S.’14, M.S.’16) credits her time in the Department of Physics in preparation for leading an engineering team at Beam Therapeutics