Building Thriving Communities: DCE’s October 2025 Impact Highlights

In October 2025, VCU’s Division of Community Engagement (DCE) continued to advance the university’s Quest 2028 mission by strengthening partnerships, expanding faculty and student engagement, and deepening its impact across Richmond’s neighborhoods. From record-setting Connect 2025 momentum to expanded youth programming and increased participation at the Health Hub, October was a month defined by collaboration, creativity, and measurable community benefit.

Division-Wide Impact at a Glance

Across DCE’s, October’s collective activity included:

• 430 active partnerships across Richmond and within VCU
• 61 total programs delivered across the Division
• 13 trainings/workshops delivered
• 1,900+ community members, youth, families, students, and faculty/staff engaged
• 340+ VCU students involved through service learning, internships, leadership, and clinical experiences
• 40+ faculty engaged in community-based research, programming, and scholarship
• Record-breaking interest in Connect 2025, with 300 registrants

DCE continued to advance regional engagement, economic development, civic leadership, storytelling, research, and faculty development through shared strategy and coordinated action.

Strengthening Community Partnerships & Regional Impact

Throughout October, DCE teams collectively managed community partnerships spanning neighborhoods, nonprofits, city agencies, cultural institutions, and schools. The division worked collectively to support major initiatives, including the 2nd Street Festival, the Jackson Ward Symposium, pedestrian safety activities, and a variety of civic dialogues and neighborhood events. These collaborations elevated VCU’s visibility as a trusted partner and helped advance shared goals around equity, preservation, revitalization, and community voice.

Connect 2025: A Cross-Divisional Success Story

The planning and execution of Connect 2025, saw unprecedented demand with over 300 registrants.
This conference exemplified DCE’s convening power, bringing together faculty, students, and community leaders to explore solutions for thriving communities, regional engagement, and applied research.

Expanding Faculty Engagement and Research Capacity

More than 40 faculty members participated in workshops, research programs, Collaboratory trainings, and engaged in scholarship development. Faculty learned how to translate community engagement into tenure materials and research outputs, while new training resources strengthened campus-wide understanding of how to document engagement activities.

Building Student Leadership, Literacy & Applied Learning

DCE expanded experiential learning by engaging more than 20 students in research, service, and leadership roles—including case study development, CE badge participation, neighborhood literacy programs, and civic dialogues. These opportunities helped students connect coursework with real community priorities.

Strengthening Economic & Institutional Partnerships

DCE deepened ties with Jackson Ward businesses, creative partners, entrepreneurs, and city organizations. Their work reinforced DCE’s role in convening diverse stakeholders around shared goals related to inclusive economic growth, cultural preservation, and community well-being.

Advancing Data, Storytelling & Strategic Communication

By integrating data and storytelling, Communications improved how DCE shares its impact both internally and externally.

• 24,000+ social media impressions
• Support for unit reporting, dashboards, and storytelling
• Coverage for Connect 2025
• Cross-unit coordination for events, faculty highlights, and student stories
• A successful DCE Team Retreat that strengthened internal alignment

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Mary and Frances Youth Center (MFYC): Empowering Youth Through Sport, Learning & Leadership

MFYC offers advanced recreation, youth development, leadership, and experiential learning through partnerships with schools, youth-serving leaders and organizations, and VCU departments.

MFYC’s work demonstrates how youth programming, recreation, and mentoring can advance thriving, healthy communities while developing the next generation of leaders.

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Health Hub at 25th: Driving Health Equity & Community Wellness in the East End

The Health Hub experienced its highest month of engagement to date, with increased participation across wellness, clinical, educational, and social programs.

October Highlights

• 394 unique visitors (↑12.5%)
• 37 program sessions delivered
• 19 active partnerships (including new partnership with VCU Athletics)
• 53 students and 8 faculty engaged
• KARE kidney screenings delivered over three weeks
• Spirit Week drew widespread community participation
• Healthy Housing Workshop attendance tripled
• Expanded clinical rotations, service learning, and interdisciplinary education

The Health Hub continues to grow as a community-centered space that promotes education, preventive health, and equitable access to care.

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Looking Ahead: November Priorities

Across all units, DCE will focus on:

• Delivering the Connect 2025 Conference and National Rural Health Day
• Advancing faculty workshops, writing groups, and Collaboratory support
• Expanding youth programming and RPS partnerships
• Continuing KARE screenings and preparing for Fall Vaccine Clinics
• Finalizing MFYC’s strategic plan and deepening student engagement
• Launching the DCE reporting dashboard to strengthen storytelling

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Conclusion

October 2025 showcased the collective strength of DCE’s people, partnerships, and purpose.
Whether through youth development, neighborhood revitalization, faculty research, civic innovation, economic partnerships, or community-centered health, each unit contributed to a shared mission: building thriving, equitable communities in Richmond and beyond.