Student Engagement Celebration: Honoring the Heart of Our Work
On April 25, the Division of Community Engagement hosted a special Student Engagement Celebration at the Mary and Frances Youth Center to honor the students who have helped power our work throughout the year.
We proudly celebrated our Community Engagement Student Council Members, interns, work-study students, and student workers—21 students in total—who have played a direct role in advancing our mission. These numbers do not include the 110+ student volunteers who contributed their time and energy through our office, events, and volunteer opportunities.
Together, these students led and supported 10 major service projects during the 2024–25 academic year, including:
- The East Marshall Street Well Project
- The BIG Event–VCU
- Fall Day of Service
- Read Across America Day at Carver Elementary
- MFYC Field Day
- MLK Celebration Week (including a 500-pair shoe drive and an MLK Essay Contest with the Boys & Girls Club)
- Student Opportunities Fair
- and more
Students worked alongside priority community partners in Jackson Ward, Carver, East End/Church Hill, Petersburg, and Southside to foster engagement rooted in respect, historical awareness, and action.
Their efforts were supported by collaborations with key VCU partners:
VCU School of Medicine, VCU Police, School of Education, College of Health Professions, School of Social Work, Office of Career Services, REAL/Service Learning, Office of the President, Off-Campus Student Services, and more.
Throughout the year, students reflected on the power of community connection. One student shared, “Through my work in the community, I’ve learned that trust is the foundation of any meaningful relationship. Effective service isn’t just about offering help—it’s about listening and responding to people’s needs.”
Another student described learning the importance of food justice while volunteering at FeedMore, and another spoke of preserving Black history through research and digitization efforts honoring the legacy of Roland J. “Duke” Ealey. From mentoring youth to organizing events, students embraced leadership, service, and the opportunity to grow professionally and personally.
Student Council members also reflected on their own growth:
- “Hard work truly pays off.”
- “I learned that I’m friendly and approachable.”
- “Empathy deepens through action.”
- “Small efforts create big ripples.”
The event closed with moving remarks from the Vice Provost for Community Partnerships, who highlighted the students’ lasting impact and thanked them for their commitment to engagement, service, and community building.
Our student changemakers are at the heart of what we do. Their service and leadership are helping to build a stronger, more connected VCU—and a more just and community-oriented Richmond.