A Week to Remember: I ♥ Snead Week Story
I ♥ Snead Week brought the VCU Business community together to celebrate connections, wellness, service and inclusivity.
By Megan Nash
Last week at the VCU School of Business, the Office of Student Engagement (OSE) rolled out the red carpet for “I ♥ Snead Week,” a spirited week-long celebration meant for making connections and immersing students, faculty and staff in the culture and growing tradition at Snead Hall.
Each day was packed with activities designed not just for fun, but to forge lasting connections. Students came together to pen personal thank you notes and letters to prospective students.
I ♥ Community
& I ♥ Connections
In a joint discussion with OSE leadership, Cait Burns, director of Student Engagement, and Nick Williams, assistant director, shared their perspectives on promoting community and connections during “I ♥ Snead Week.”
Williams noted, “In the world of business, it’s about remaining human-centered while being a business leader,” while Burns emphasized, “The activities were intentional to remind students it’s important to not lose sense of self. We’re building stronger connections between School of Business students and the broader RVA community.”
And it wasn’t just about looking outward. The DIY plant bar and ‘90s classic snacks were perfect for a little self-care nostalgia.
I ♥ Wellbeing
I ♥ Service
A standout moment was the assembly of over 175 snack kits for local middle school athletes in collaboration with Start 1 Spark, a Richmond-based non-profit organization supporting kids in extracurricular activities, Fuel for Fun program. Each kit was carefully put together by VCU Business students, who included not just healthy goodies, but also personalized, encouraging notes to inspire them before their game.
“Our partner schools are so grateful that they’re on the receiving end of generosity,” said Amber Lancaster, founder and president of Start 1 Spark.
I ♥ Inclusion
The week concluded with a powerful “Real Talk” panel discussion on mental and emotional well-being in the workplace, with a special focus on neurodiversity. Moderated by VCU alumna, Giovanni Knight ’20, it was an eye-opener on how we all process information uniquely and was a lesson for today’s diverse work environments.
“I ♥ Snead Week” was just the beginning.
The energy is high, and connections are stronger than ever.
“I love ‘Snead Week’ because it feels like a week to celebrate home. When I first got to Snead Hall, I felt like I had a place in the School of Business,” said VCU Business student Stephanie Nevins.
Keep an eye out for more engaging events from the OSE. The Snead spirit is alive and thriving – let’s keep it that way!
VCU Business sends a special thanks to “I <3 Snead Week” sponsors: CoStar Group, the Business Alumni Society and Kinsale Insurance for their generous support and local businesses: Woodhead’s Grill, Momma’s BBQ and 1115 Mobile Kitchen.
Footnotes
Article By: Megan Nash
Photography provided by Joe Mahoney