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Update:

This page is under review after the issuance of the "Dear Colleague" letter from the U.S. Department of Education and the Notice of Civil Rights Term and Condition of Award from the National Institutes of Health.

College of Humanities and Sciences

Alum and Donor News

Tom Robbins and his wife, Alexa D'Avalon, visit James Branch Cabell Library in 2012. (VCU Libraries Gallery)

The legacy of the singular American writer Tom Robbins lives on at VCU

Feb. 12, 2025

The 1959 graduate died this week at age 92, but VCU Libraries is home to his papers, which capture the vibrant voice and irreverent spirit reflected in ‘Even Cowgirls Get the Blues’ and other works.

Paige Dossett and Samuel Dobbs, who married in 2016, met as students near VCU’s Monroe Park Campus. (Contributed photo)

Unbreakable bonds: Their time at VCU was ‘a real blessing’ for alums Samuel Dobbs and Paige Dossett — even if their first date was a bit of a stretch

Feb. 11, 2025

The couple, who married in 2016, met by chance as students and never looked back.

Micah White, who is working toward his Ph.D. in counseling psychology, said, “I always try to approach my research by thinking about practicality, future impact and why anyone should care.” (Thomas Kojcsich, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

How I found my research: Micah White examines the intersection of social media and African American identity

Jan. 30, 2025

White, a VCU alum and counseling psychology Ph.D. student, is committed to conducting research that will make an impact beyond academia and benefit his community.

Lauren Moncayo, a fourth-year Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, is balancing her scientific education and passion for modeling (Photo by Arda Athman, School of Medicine)

From the lab to the runway: Ph.D. candidate finds confidence through research

Jan. 24, 2025

Graduate student Lauren Moncayo said pursuing a doctorate has made her reevaluate other goals she considered ‘out of reach,’ like becoming a model.

VCU alum Kam Black is a content creator on the social media team at EA Sports and has worked on two of the video game developer’s top titles: Madden NFL and EA Sports College Football. (Contributed photo)

In the merging of sports, video and social media, VCU alum Kam Black is a top player

Jan. 9, 2025

The Robertson School master’s graduate brings creative flair to familiar platforms, including notable games from EA Sports.

VCU alums Vivian Shields and Carolyn Bishop both hold positions in the C-suite of Commonwealth Savers (formerly Virginia529). (Photos courtesy of Commonwealth Savers)

In the C-suite at Commonwealth Savers, Carolyn Bishop and Vivian Shields invest their Ram pride

Jan. 7, 2025

The two executives credit their VCU student experiences for laying the foundations of their success

Melanie Cruz’s advocacy mindset is being framed in part by serving as a Virginia Management Fellow, which allows her to complete three eight-month rotations at state agencies. (Thomas Kojcsich, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

Class of 2024: With a master’s in public health, Melanie Cruz looks to serve diverse communities

Dec. 18, 2024

VCU faculty and travel opportunities helped shape the two-time graduate, who is serving as a Virginia Management Fellow.

Jennifer Cousins (second from right) with her daughter, Reagan; husband, Kevin; and son, Jack. Cousins said her family has been “cheerleading me on and supporting me” while she pursues a nursing degree at VCU. (Thomas Kojcsich, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

Class of 2024: For Jennifer Cousins, VCU is a family affair in the spirit of care

Dec. 16, 2024

The former teacher joined her two children on campus, pursuing a nursing degree inspired by her daughter’s medical journey.

The film “Unity: Cocacoeske’s Dilemma,” which shifts between 1677 and the modern-day descendants of tribes of Tsenacommacah, includes VCU alum and instructor Christina Davis among its performers.

Pocahontas Reframed Film Festival has VCU spirit in front of and behind the camera

Nov. 25, 2024

Instructor and alum Christina Davis has a prominent role in one film, and the Humanities Research Center co-sponsored the spotlight on Indigenous stories.

(File photo)

A year-end review of students and alums who earned prestigious scholarships through the National Scholarship Office

Nov. 11, 2024

Recipients represent a variety of fields and backgrounds, and their scholarships will provide invaluable opportunities to deepen their studies, gain new perspectives and grow in their fields.