News

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.

A collection of colorful, textured speech bubbles in various sizes—including shades of orange, yellow, pink, blue, and teal—arranged on a dark blue background.

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.

Leslie Brown, who served as VCU’s budget director, has made gifts to support the Open and Affordable Course Content Initiative, which she views as one of the most powerful ways to invest in VCU. (Photo by Kirk Nawrotzky, Office of Development and Alumni Relations)

VCU Libraries donor supports ‘multiplier effect’ of affordable course content

Sept. 16, 2026

Former VCU staff member Leslie Brown aims to improve textbook costs for students through the magic of a library program that has saved more than $15 million in course material costs since 2017.

VCU to screen true-crime documentary ‘Baby Doe’ with filmmaker

Sept. 15, 2026

Jessica Earnshaw will join College of Humanities and Sciences faculty for a panel after the Sept. 16 viewing in the Commons theater.

Ben Rekosh has thrived as a storyteller in sports media, including during recent summers with the Charlottesville Tom Sox of the Valley Baseball League. (Contributed image)

When the game changed, Ben Rekosh found a new way to stay in it

Sept. 15, 2026

Supported by VCU's Internship Funding Program, the VCU mass communications student told the stories behind the Charlottesville Tom Sox this summer while preparing for a career in sports media.

Gregory Donovan was a founding faculty member of VCU’s creative writing program, which was established the year he arrived on campus. (Photo by Michele Poulos)

Gregory Donovan retires after four decades of inspiring students and helping to shape VCU’s creative writing program

Sept. 14, 2026

Donovan, the author of two poetry collections, was one of the forces behind online journal Blackbird and ‘a passionate and committed teacher’ during his tenure.

VCU researcher Aliza Ehrlich will study the primary cilium, a little-understood neuron structure that often hosts opioid receptors. (Getty Images)

VCU’s Aliza Ehrlich receives $3 million to study link between opioids and unexplored neuron structure

Sept. 14, 2026

Ehrlich hopes to learn how the antenna-like compartment influences our response to opioids, including its role in building dependence or tolerance.

Photo cutlines: John Jones, Ph.D., an assistant professor in the School of Life Sciences and Sustainability who established the Little Ram Pantries project, stocks a box in Cary Street Gym. (Photo by Dean Hoffmeyer/Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

Little Ram Pantries receive upgraded technology to help address student food insecurity

Sept. 11, 2026

New sensors can show the inventory of each location and help monitor usage while preserving privacy.

Geoff Bennett, photo by Johnny Shryock

PBS NewsHour anchor Geoff Bennett discusses impact of Black comedy

Sept. 10, 2026

CHS and the Robertson School will host broadcast news anchor Geoff Bennett for a conversation and book signing on his new book, "Black Out Loud."