News

VCU poet and assistant professor Edgar Kunz is the author of two books, with a new project in the works. (Photo by Ariana Mygatt)

VCU poet Edgar Kunz named a Guggenheim fellow

April 15, 2026

Kunz, an author of two books whose work has appeared in The New Yorker and The Atlantic, is pursuing a new project exploring his time in a medieval anachronist organization.

Tomika Ferguson, associate dean of student affairs and community engagement in the School of Education; Cristina Stanciu, director of the Humanities Research Center; Ashley Shoell-Gonzalez, program service coordinator for the Ryan White Program; John Jones, assistant professor in the School of Life Sciences and Sustainability; VCU President Michael Rao; Aarushi Khanna, a student in the School of Nursing; and Christopher Brooks, professor in the School of World Studies, at this week’s PACME ceremony. (Skip Rowland)

This year's PACME honorees are committed to the success of the VCU community

April 14, 2026

Tomika Ferguson of the School of Education earned the capstone award of the program, which recognizes contributions among students, faculty and staff that support cross-cultural relations and a welcoming environment.

William Strollo studies the inside of an 18th-century corner cupboard made in Salem, North Carolina. (Contributed image)

VCU history alum honored for museum curation and more

April 10, 2026

From tenures at Wilton House, DAR Museum and North Carolina’s Old Salem – and from scholarship on Black artisans – William Strollo wins the History Graduate Alumni Achievement Award.

Saif Alotaibi, a biology major, has embraced the wealth of research opportunities that VCU offers for undergraduates. (Dean Hoffmeyer, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

World@VCU: Saif Alotaibi from Kuwait

April 9, 2026

‘You can do research as an undergraduate at VCU. You get so lost because of how many opportunities there are.’

Rohit Paradkar, a junior majoring in bioinformatics, is VCU’s 19th Goldwater Scholar in the past 20 years. (Contributed image)

VCU undergraduate selected for prestigious Goldwater Scholarship

April 8, 2026

Rohit Paradkar, a junior in the Honors College, is studying bioinformatics and researching cancer treatment.

VCU School of the Arts is ranked No. 2 in the nation among graduate schools

April 7, 2026

U.S. News & World Report includes 18 VCU programs in the top 50 of its new rankings.

cRam Session: The Physics of Baseball

April 7, 2026

3 questions, 2 minutes, 1 lesson with Patrick Woodworth, who takes us out to the ballgame and shares fascinating science behind the sport.

A new series by the College of Humanities and Sciences, America at 250 is exploring the past, present and future of U.S. democracy as the nation approaches a milestone anniversary. (Getty Images)

VCU series on democracy marks America’s 250th anniversary

April 3, 2026

With public events and online offerings, the College of Humanities and Sciences program explores how ideals are evolving.

Brian G. Smith appointed new director of the Robertson School of Communication

April 1, 2026

Smith joins VCU from the University of Mississippi with an extensive background in research on public relations management and social advocacy.

Brian G. Smith has been named director of VCU’s Richard T. Robertson School of Communication. He will begin his role July 1. (Contributed photo)

Brian G. Smith named director of VCU’s Richard T. Robertson School of Communication

April 1, 2026

At the University of Mississippi, he has chaired the Integrated Marketing Communications department.