News

Bryant Mangum, retired professor of English, taught at VCU for more than 50 years. He died this month at the age of 83. (Dean Hoffmeyer, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

Bryant Mangum, longtime VCU English professor and F. Scott Fitzgerald scholar, dies at 83

Sept. 24, 2026

His half-century tenure was marked by numerous honors for his scholarship and teaching.

Blakely Wright combines history and anthropology to better understand the past

Sept. 22, 2026

Wright focuses on marginalized and underrepresented Indigenous histories

Raven Bacchas, a second-year developmental psychology Ph.D. student, advises undergrads interested in research to “find what you’re most passionate about and really pursue any and all opportunities that get you closer and closer to your goals.” (Dean Hoffmeyer, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

How I found my research: Raven Bacchas thrives in the EMPOWER Youth Lab

Sept. 22, 2026

The developmental psychology Ph.D. student, whose research focuses on the experiences of Multiracial and Multiethnic LGBTQIA+ people, has proven to be a prolific researcher and impactful mentor at VCU.

The nostalgic allure of pumpkin spice draws on some interesting neuroscience, according to VCU VCU biology professo Catherine Franssen, Ph.D. (Getty Images)

Why do we love pumpkin spice so much? We ‘fall’ for it.

Sept. 22, 2026

VCU neuroscientist Catherine Franssen explains our seasonal addiction to the flavor and why we can’t wait for autumn every year.

On Friday, Sept. 25, the Virginia Student Voting Summit will bring students, campus administrators, election officials and community advocates to VCU for an event promoting civic engagement. (Getty Images)

Virginia Student Voting Summit comes to VCU this week

Sept. 22, 2026

Presented by the Division of Student Affairs, the Baldacci Institute and the Campus Vote Project, the annual nonpartisan event promotes civic engagement.

VCU ranked among top 100 public universities, recognized as a ‘best value’ by U.S. News & World Report

Sept. 22, 2026

Collectively, VCU now ranks among the top 50 in 23 categories across graduate programs, online programs and undergraduate programs.

From the complicated to the mundane, VCU’s academic advisors, such as Jennifer Clayton, an advisor within the Department of Political Science, are happy to assist. (Dean Hoffmeyer, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

‘Reach out’: VCU academic advisors offer their best advice for a successful college journey

Sept. 21, 2026

From questions about scheduling to stopping a crisis in its tracks, advisors Jennifer Clayton and Samantha DeShazo say they’re here to help.

VCU’s Catherine Wall surveyed transgender and gender-diverse adults throughout the United States to assess the psychological distress caused by anti-transgender legislation. (Getty Images)

Anti-transgender legislation causes psychological distress even in states with trans-friendly laws, according to VCU research

Sept. 18, 2026

Transgender study participants viewed the more than 2,000 laws proposed in the U.S. since 2020 ‘as an existential threat’ to their lives and the lives of other transgender people.

VCU researchers Qingguo Xu, Michael Kiefer, Priscilla Hwang and Amy Rector took part in the 14th annual Rally for Medical Research on Thursday. (Photo contributed by Denver Supinger, VCU Office of Government Relations)

VCU researchers join national call for NIH funding

Sept. 18, 2026

The annual Rally for Medical Research urges Congress to support biomedical innovation and the STEM workforce.

VCU Launches the Baldacci Institute for Civil Discourse

Sept. 17, 2026

VCU has launched the Baldacci Institute for Civil Discourse, supported by a $13 million gift from Michelle and David Baldacci, to foster respectful nonpartisan dialogue and civic engagement across political differences in Virginia.