Alumni spotlight: Daniela Henderson (B.S.’03)
VCU provided the perfect blend of city and diversity for Daniela Henderson (B.S.’03), who was looking for something different from her home near Charlottesville. “What really drew me to VCU was that it’s a melting pot in the middle of the city.”
She is now the leader of the VCU Alumni Triangle, N.C., Chapter serving the Chapel Hill, Durham and Raleigh areas in North Carolina. Meet Daniela and see what’s next for the Triangle Chapter.
What made you choose VCU?
I came to VCU in fall of 2000. I was going to go to Old Dominion University. I wanted to be by the beach, but I needed more city. I also had the opportunity to go to the University of Virginia, but because I’m from the Charlottesville area, I wanted to be a little bit further from home. I needed a happy medium place.
What really drew me to VCU out of my other choices was that it’s a melting pot in the middle of the city. You get to have so much diverse culture and experiences in a city with a different vibe.
Diversity is one of the conversations I had with my mom when thinking about college. She advised me to go to a place that represents the world, and VCU had that representation.
How has VCU contributed to what you do and who you are today?
When I graduated from VCU in December 2003 with my degree in public relations, I experienced an incredible sense of community. My teachers and classmates were immensely supportive, creating an environment where everyone rallied to ensure I succeeded. It was a truly memorable and positive experience.
The education I received at VCU has been instrumental in my career as a product manager. I gained essential skills in storytelling, analytical thinking, and synthesizing information. While I didn’t pursue a professional career in public relations, the skills I developed have been invaluable in preparing me for my roles.
VCU provided a strong foundation that gave me the confidence to craft compelling narratives, engage diverse audiences, and communicate effectively. As a product manager, I focus on data and analytics, translating complex information into meaningful insights for non-technical audiences. Additionally, I value building strong relationships, another important aspect of my time at VCU.
Why should people get involved with the Triangle Chapter? What are you excited about?
First, the Triangle area is a stone’s throw away from Richmond. A lot of alumni are here because of the opportunities. The former mayor of Raleigh is a VCU alum.
I absolutely love the Triangle. Each one of our cities has a different identity, and we’re really focused on bringing alumni of all ages, backgrounds and careers together.
Our 2025 vision is to grow our chapter. We hope alumni in the Triangle area join us for a variety of volunteer, networking and professional development opportunities. We want to meet you where you are.
Anything else you’d like to share with us and the VCU alumni community?
VCU is such a unique school inside of the city. You get to experience diverse programs, cultures and backgrounds that you might not get anywhere else. And our alumni are everywhere.
Stay connected with the Triangle Chapter and VCU Alumni for the latest event information
Categories Alumni