Twelve Experiential Learning Projects Selected for 2021 REAL Grants
Initiative included two unique grant programs – REAL Challenge Grants and Community-Engaged Research Impact Grants Twelve experiential learning projects from a diverse range of VCU schools/colleges have been awarded funding through the 2021 REAL Grants initiative. Five of these projects will receive support from the REAL Challenge Grants program, while the remaining seven will be […]
For VCU Education Major, Connecting at Carver Elementary Provides Lasting Memories, Future Preparation
By Jenny Pedraza, APR If you ask Alexis Mitchell, ’21, a Virginia Commonwealth University liberal studies in elementary education major, what it takes to succeed while working with the community, she says, “build connections with people, put yourself in their shoes and always keep their situation in mind before making decisions.” Mitchell has worked in […]
CEI Announces New Grant Program for Faculty and Staff to Implement Community-Engaged Research into Undergraduate Courses and Experiences
The grant program will further opportunities for high-impact experiential learning for first-generation, pell grant eligible and underrepresented students. By Jenny Pedraza, APR The Center for Community Engagement and Impact (CEI), in collaboration with the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) and VCU REAL has announced a new grant program for VCU faculty and staff to incorporate […]
CEI Offers Free Registration to Regional Service-Learning and Civic Engagement Conference
The Gulf-South Summit will be held virtually March 15 to 18. VCU faculty, staff, students and community partners can attend for free as part of an institutional VCU membership. By Jenny Pedraza, APR The Virginia Commonwealth University Center for Community Engagement and Impact (CEI) and the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) will offer free registration […]
CEI to Fund Undergraduate Community-Engaged Research Fellowships
The fellowships will provide funding for undergraduate students, faculty mentors and community partners to collaboratively work on projects that strengthen community well-being. By Jenny Pedraza In partnership with the Office of the Provost, the Center for Community Engagement and Impact (CEI) will fund five undergraduate community-engaged research (CEnR) fellowships for Summer 2021 through the Undergraduate […]
UROP Spotlight: Biology Major Jessie Feng Explores Medical Mistrust and Empathy in Online Settings
Each year, students are awarded $1,500 to engage in community-engaged research through The Undergraduate Fellowships for Community-Engaged Research Program (CEnR/UROP), a partnership between the Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Inquiry and the Center for Community Engagement and Impact (CEI). By Jenny Pedraza “I hope to eventually enter medical school and become a trauma surgeon,” […]
Jenilee Stanley-Shanks, Leader in K-12 STEM Educational Outreach in College of Engineering, Named a Richmond ‘Top 40 under 40’
Jenilee Stanley-Shanks, director of government and community outreach at the VCU College of Engineering, was named to Style Weekly’s ‘Top 40 under 40’ list for 2020. Stanley-Shanks was included in the publication’s annual celebration of “people helping make Richmond a better place” for leading the college’s K-12 STEM education outreach efforts. She was nominated by […]
Health Sciences Academy: A Longstanding Service-Learning Pipeline Program Impacts Thousands of High School and VCU Students
By Jenny Pedraza For 14 years, high school students in Richmond City and Chesterfield County have earned college credit while exploring health careers and gaining college readiness skills. The Virginia Commonwealth University Health Sciences Academy (HSA) is an innovative program that matches area high school students with VCU students for mentoring. HSA is a core […]
UROP Spotlight: Sculpture and Extended Media Major Elijah Scaparo Explores the Vitality of Urban Community Agriculture
By Jenny Pedraza Each year, students are awarded $1,500 to engage in community-engaged research through The Undergraduate Fellowships for Community-Engaged Research Program (CEnR/UROP), a partnership between the Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Inquiry and the Center for Community Engagement and Impact (CEI). How can a community garden function as both a center of food […]
UROP Spotlight: Junior Sara Debab Assesses Community Readiness to Address Health Needs of Latinx in Galax, Va.
By Jenny Pedraza Each year, students are awarded $1,500 to engage in community-engaged research through The Undergraduate Fellowships for Community-Engaged Research Program (CEnR/UROP), a partnership between the Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Inquiry and the Center for Community Engagement and Impact (CEI). Virginia’s Latinx population is expected to be the fastest growing ethnic population […]