The Virginia Commonwealth University Board of Visitors has announced that they will be hosting a workshop focused on enrollment and budget matters on April 11. The workshop will begin at 8:30 a.m. and will be held at the VCU College of Health Professions, located at 900 E. Leigh St. The public will have the opportunity to view a livestream of the open session video conference at mssvideo.vcu.edu/BOV.According to the article, senior administration at VCU will provide updates on enrollment and present an overview of the university's budget during the workshop. The...

Former Miss America 2020, Camille Schrier, is set to graduate with a doctorate in pharmacy from Virginia Commonwealth University in May 2024. Schrier's journey from beauty queen to pharmacy student has been filled with unique experiences and opportunities that have shaped her perspective on healthcare and advocacy.During her time at VCU School of Pharmacy, Schrier emphasized the importance of her Miss America experience in broadening her view of the world. She highlighted, "It was the most important experience of my time in the VCU School of Pharmacy. It gave me a greater...

Virginia Commonwealth University's Provost Fotis Sotiropolous has unveiled draft final recommendations aimed at repositioning the university to enhance its efficiency, innovation, and academic appeal. Sotiropolous expressed confidence in the recommendations, stating that they will "fuel VCU’s ascent as we emerge among the nation’s most influential and impactful universities."The recommendations focus on cultivating an inclusive and welcoming environment, empowering faculty and students to engage in transdisciplinary research, and preparing graduates to be creative...

Five individuals were recently recognized for their outstanding contributions to the LGBTQIA+ community and the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) at the 2024 Burnside Watstein Awards ceremony. The awards, named after Chris Burnside and Sarah Watstein, aim to celebrate individuals who make a significant impact on the lives of LGBTQIA+ faculty, staff, and students at VCU.Josh Leidy, a member of the selection committee, highlighted that the recipients were chosen for embodying the work of past LGBTQ+ advocates and providing safe spaces for authenticity and growth within...

Amid personal turmoil and challenges, George Richardson found solace and purpose in sports throughout his youth. The death of his parents and separation from his siblings marked a tumultuous journey that ultimately led him to Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), where he pursued a path that will allow him to pay forward the valuable life lessons he has learned.Richardson, set to graduate in May from VCU’s University College with a degree in interdisciplinary studies concentrating on educating youth in fitness and athletics, shared his journey of resilience and...

A potential ban on the popular social media app TikTok in the U.S. is causing concerns for its more than 150 million users and the influencers and brands that rely on the platform. Joshua Smith, an assistant professor at Virginia Commonwealth University, emphasized the significance of this issue, stating, "Everyone who has a stake in TikTok, be that in time, money or social capital, would be affected by an outright ban."Smith highlighted the impact a ban would have on individual users, noting that they would lose access to their network, social support, and memories...

Prominent history scholar, Edward Ayers, will be the keynote speaker at Virginia Commonwealth University's Memory Studies Lab's first public event on April 2. The event aims to introduce the lab and its work to the VCU community, according to Gabriel Reich, Ph.D., co-director of the lab. Reich stated, “We have created a rich intellectual community.”Ayers, a professor and president emeritus at the University of Richmond, has dedicated his career to making the past relevant to contemporary society and politics. He will draw from his new book, “American Visions: The United...

Virginia Commonwealth University is gearing up to launch its first-ever Innovation Month in April, a celebration of creators, innovators, researchers, and entrepreneurship across the institution."Innovation is at the heart of every VCU education, and this Innovation Month recognition is a terrific way not only to celebrate what’s happening throughout VCU today but perhaps spark that next great idea," expressed Fotis Sotiropoulos, Ph.D., provost and senior vice president for academic affairs.The month-long event aims to spotlight the creativity, ingenuity, and...

The Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine recently held its Match Day event, where graduating students eagerly learned which specialties and hospitals they had matched to for their residency training. The event was filled with excitement and celebration as the Class of 2024 awaited their results.Associate deans Nicole Deiorio, M.D., and Chris Woleben, M.D., shared some impressive statistics from this year's match, including a 99% overall placement rate for the class. Additionally, 59 students will stay in Virginia for their residencies, with 37 of them...

NBC White House correspondent and Virginia Commonwealth University alum, Aaron Gilchrist, recently shared his insights with students during a Q&A session at his alma mater. Gilchrist emphasized the importance of journalism, stating, “Our job is to watch people in power and make sure there’s an awareness about what’s going on.”During the session hosted by VCU’s Richard T. Robertson School of Media and Culture, Gilchrist spoke about the art of storytelling in journalism, highlighting the blend of science and art in the profession. He expressed his passion for meeting people...

VCUarts alum and muralist Emily Herr has brought a burst of visual flair to the Shafer Court Dining Center at Virginia Commonwealth University. The colorful addition to Richmond's mural scene, spanning two stories, is a celebration of campus life and the shared experiences of those who dine at Shafer.Herr, who designed the mural, aimed to create something universal yet deeply personal, stating, "Food is universal, but it’s also deeply personal. It brings us together, connects us and creates memories." The mural showcases colorful food and dining elements with the message...

Mia Liadis, the assistant director for health promotion at Recreation and Well-Being in the Division of Student Affairs at Virginia Commonwealth University, has seamlessly integrated her student experiences into a fulfilling career dedicated to student well-being.Reflecting on her time at VCU, Liadis, a first-generation college student, expressed her gratitude for the opportunities the university has provided her. She holds three degrees from VCU and was recently honored with the VCU Staff Senate’s 2024 Professional Integrity Award. Liadis stated, “I feel like VCU has...

VCUarts sophomore Sirena Pearl has been named the winner of The Science Coalition's Fund It Forward Student Video Challenge. In her video, Pearl focused on the urban heat island effect, a pressing environmental issue that highlights the acceleration of climate change. She explained, "Asphalt in urban areas increases temperatures locally creating a much hotter environment than suburban and rural areas that hold more vegetation."Pearl's winning video impressed the judges with its creativity and innovation. As a result, she received funding from VCU's Undergraduate Research...