Newsroom

a crowd of students walking around outside of cabell library at v.c.u. on a sunny day

Grant supports fast-track development of open textbook

Oct. 21, 2025

Faculty in Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies are partnering with VCU Libraries to produce a new openly licensed textbook for GSWS 201 students.

The 10 Under 10 awards program celebrates notable alumni who have earned their first VCU degree within the past 10 years.

VCU Alumni 10 Under 10 award recipients to be honored for noteworthy achievements

Oct. 21, 2025

Distinguished graduates from throughout the university will be recognized at a private ceremony Oct. 25.

SJ Sindu’s new graphic novel, “Tall Water,” is about an American teenager named Nimmi who is visiting Sri Lanka in 2004 when a tsunami strikes. (File photo)

Family, war and a tsunami propel ‘Tall Water,’ SJ Sindu’s new graphic novel

Oct. 20, 2025

The VCU creative writing professor from Sri Lanka says her latest work stems in part from the responsibility she feels to bear witness to ‘the horrors and the joys of the world.’

Marina Pugh (B.A. ’20) uses professional and volunteer experience to enhance political campaign operations

Oct. 17, 2025

The School of World Studies and Department of Philosophy alumna worked in political campaigns across Virginia and served in the Peace Corps in Kosovo.

Marcel Cornis-Pop, Ph.D., a longtime English professor at VCU, died in September. Of Cornis-Pop, a former colleague said, “No one relished new ideas with more enthusiasm. And no one communicated that enthusiasm to students more genuinely.” (File photo)

Marcel Cornis-Pop, a leader in VCU humanities education, dies at 79

Oct. 16, 2025

The Romanian-born scholar served as chair of the Department of English and established the interdisciplinary doctoral program in media, art and text.

One thing Matt Balazik, Ph.D., has learned from a career studying Atlantic sturgeon is that there is always something new to discover. “Don’t think everything’s figured out,” he says. (Photo by Jamie Brunkow, James River Association)

He is bringing the Atlantic sturgeon back from the brink

Oct. 16, 2025

VCU conservation biologist Matt Balazik strengthens the future for a prehistoric fish – in the James River and around the world.

Andrew Alli, who became the superintendent of the James River Park System this year, graduated from VCU’s environmental studies program in 2011. (Photo by Max Posner)

Meet-a-Ram: Andrew Alli’s path to James River Park System leadership came through VCU

Oct. 10, 2025

The new superintendent (and blues musician) found formative experiences on campus.

Mikaela Romanelli (M.S. ’14) protects her community using forensic chemistry

Oct. 9, 2025

The Department of Forensic Science alumna continues to use her training from her graduate program as a senior forensic chemist with the Drug Enforcement Administration

VCU School of Life Sciences and Sustainability professor Chris Gough has been named the new executive director of the Rice Rivers Center, the university’s field station along the James River. (Photo by Megan May)

VCU ecologist Chris Gough named new Rice Rivers Center executive director

Oct. 8, 2025

As the field station marks its 25th anniversary, he shares three top goals as it expands its footprint.

Clint McCown, an author of poetry, fiction and nonfiction, taught creative writing at VCU until his retirement in 2024. (Contributed photo)

Clint McCown looks back on a rich and storied career

Oct. 7, 2025

From working as an actor to investigating organized crime, the VCU professor emeritus, who retired last year after 45 years of teaching, has followed his curiosity to compelling places, helping to fuel his ‘vivid and cinematic’ writing.