Alum and Donor News

Since 2014, students have been exploring the James River and its watershed through the immersive Footprints on the James course, such as these students two years ago. (James Vonesh)

Alums give back to river class that sent them on new and fulfilling paths

Oct. 7, 2026

Footprints on the James is an immersive journey that lets students explore the biological and environmental components of the James River and its watershed. A new fund supports it and other similar field studies courses.

Full Circle: How Dannita Trice Found Her Place at VCU

Oct. 2, 2026

Meet CHS’s newest director of alumni engagement

Cameron Harris, a 2012 VCU graduate, is the filmmaker behind “Monday Film School,” a short documentary that will be featured this fall at the 15th annual Richmond International Film Festival. (Contributed photo)

VCU alum Cameron Harris brings art and life to Richmond International Film Festival

Sept. 8, 2026

His short documentary reflects his journey as a filmmaker and his overseas experiences.

VCU faculty member and alum Maurice “Moeflowz” Brown, pictured here reading from his poetry, said he sees his role as one of Richmond’s two poet laureates as helping people see “what Richmond’s all about in all its richness and all of its truth.” (Dean Hoffmeyer, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

Meet-a-Ram: Maurice ‘Moeflowz’ Brown puts poetry in motion

Sept. 3, 2026

As one of Richmond’s two new poet laureates with VCU ties, he will emphasize community engagement.

VCU to celebrate 15 notable alums at biennial Alumni Stars event

Sept. 2, 2026

Honorees will be recognized at an Oct. 9 event at the Science Museum of Virginia.

Iresha Picot started a cycling group for Black women and girls in Philadelphia, and it quickly grew in popularity. She also teaches bike maintenance and bike cycling classes because she said, “I want the women to feel like cyclists.” (Contributed photo)

Meet-a-Ram: Iresha Picot makes a mark from mental health to media, from self-care to cycling

Aug. 26, 2026

The 2007 alum has established deep roots and a wide footprint in Philadelphia.

Isra'a Nour, a 2015 VCU graduate, serves as a program manager for Open Society Foundations. (Contributed photo)

Meet-a-Ram: Isra’a Nour’s humanitarian work is rooted in her VCU anthropology and biology courses

Aug. 19, 2026

The 2015 graduate, powered by her service in Sudan, now works in the U.S. to support human rights, equity and justice.

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.

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