DCE February Engagement Highlights
February 2026 marked a month of strong growth in community partnerships, student engagement, and cross-sector collaboration across the Division of Community Engagement (DCE). Through strategic partnerships, experiential learning opportunities, and community-based programming, DCE continued to advance VCU’s commitment to thriving communities.
Community Partnerships and Collaboration
DCE expanded its partnership network on Collaboratory to include 295 community partners and 21 institutional partners, with multiple new partnerships formed across key initiatives in our division, including collaborations with Greater Richmond SCAN, the Richmond Office of Sustainability, and the VCU Pauley Heart Center. Strategic partnerships with Richmond Success Academy, the Historic Jackson Ward Association, and Richmond Hill are helping expand educational support, mentorship, and workforce development opportunities for Richmond youth. In preparation for the VCU Day of Service (March 19, 2026), DCE collaborated with the Community Foundation to coordinate volunteer-leadership training and to strengthen service partnerships across the region.
Student Engagement and Experiential Learning
Student engagement remained a core component of DCE programming, with over 100 students participating through internships, service-learning, work-study roles, student leadership councils, and community-engaged research initiatives. The Health Hub at 25th alone hosted 57 students across multiple disciplines, including Social Work, Nursing, Pharmacy, Dental Hygiene, and Public Health. Students gained hands-on experience supporting community health initiatives, civic engagement programming, and youth development activities, while developing leadership and community partnership skills.
In addition, the Mary and Frances Youth Center hosted 76 VCU students through Open Pickleball and Club Pickleball, as well as 19 student staff through volunteers, graduate assistants, federal work-study, and social work interns.
Programs and Community Participation
Across DCE programs, including the Mary and Frances Youth Center (MFYC), the Health Hub, and community-engaged research initiatives, more than 500 community participants were reached through youth programming, health education events, research series, and community gatherings. Notable highlights included the East End Heart Health Fair, hosted in partnership with the Pauley Heart Center, which brought approximately 75 community members to the Health Hub for screenings, education, and wellness resources. MFYC continued to serve youth and families through seven programs and parent engagement events, while planning began for the annual Community Health Fair and Field Day on Sunday, May 3, 2026, from 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM.
Faculty Engagement and Research Collaboration
Faculty engagement continued to expand through interdisciplinary collaborations and community-engaged research. Faculty from Nursing, Social Work, Dental Hygiene, and other programs contributed to teaching, clinical outreach, and research initiatives. DCE also applied to host a TRUCEN Showcase and featured seven former Academic Community Partnership Planning grant recipients in a panel discussion, highlighting how their grant-funded projects strengthened sustainable community partnerships and research impact.
Strengthening Community Infrastructure and Capacity
February also marked progress in strengthening community infrastructure and governance. The Health Hub established a Community Advisory Board, ensuring community voices remain central to program planning and service delivery. Additionally, both the Health Hub and the Mary and Frances Youth Center (MFYC) developed Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for new Seed Grant opportunities, designed to support community organizations and collaborative projects that advance health, youth development, and neighborhood well-being. Up to $2,000 is available to provide targeted funding to help community partners pilot innovative programs, strengthen existing partnerships, and expand initiatives that address community-identified needs across Richmond. Find more details here: https://community.vcu.edu/resources/grants/2026seedgrants/
Looking Ahead
Momentum from February initiatives positions DCE for continued impact in the coming months. Upcoming activities include the VCU Day of Service, expanded youth engagement programming at MFYC, and the launch of new Health Hub partnership initiatives. Together, these efforts reinforce VCU’s role as a catalyst for community-driven solutions, student learning, and regional collaboration.
Division of Community Engagement
community.vcu.edu
[email protected]