A New Year and MLK Week at VCU
Welcome back to VCU for a new year and a new semester. I hope the time away from classes allowed all of you to recharge for the spring. It’s always important to take care of ourselves, mentally and physically, but it’s a lesson we often forget when work or life are making demands on us. […]
Addressing VCU’s historical connections to slavery
As a forward-focused, inclusive and diverse community committed to saving and improving all human lives, VCU must acknowledge and thoughtfully examine the role of racism and the institution of slavery in the institution’s past. With our full support, in 2021, the Virginia General Assembly passed legislation focused on Virginia’s five oldest colleges and universities – […]
A message of gratitude
Earlier this month, I gave a talk at the Association of Public Land-grant Universities’ annual meeting in Denver. I attend this conference most years, but this year it felt different – because it seemed like everywhere I turned, VCU was engaging people’s attention. We were one of four finalists nationwide for APLU’s 2022 Degree Completion […]
The 50th anniversary of Title IX
Today we mark the 50th anniversary of the passage of Title IX legislation, signed by President Richard Nixon June 23, 1972. That law changed the face of civil rights in public education, and has created opportunities, greater equality, and protections against discrimination for millions of American students. Because of Title IX, opportunities never imagined became […]
Congratulations, VCU Class of 2022
VCU celebrated the Class of 2022 this weekend. It’s an honor to welcome over 5,000 new members to the VCU Alumni family. Below, is my speech to VCU Class of 2022. GO RAMS! Good morning! It’s a great honor to join all of you – our graduates and your happy families–along with our Board of Visitors, […]
Call for nominations: 2022 Presidential Awards for Community Multicultural Enrichment
To the VCU and VCU Health System Communities: We proudly champion diversity and inclusion as a core value, and engage in initiatives that create and nurture a dynamic and inclusive learning environment. All people of differing cultural backgrounds, identities, abilities and life experiences are embraced, engaged and empowered to drive excellence and success. Annually the […]