Prospectus Newsletter November 2026
From ideas to impacts: innovating together at VCU How did Apple move from personal computers to the iPod? How did Netflix transition from mailing DVDs to streaming content? Thriving organizations don’t just deploy a single solution. They continue to innovate and bring new products and services to market that meet the evolving needs of their […]
In this unique VCU class, students role-play their way into history
If you walk by an Honors College classroom at Virginia Commonwealth University this semester, you might hear a judge’s plea for order, or an Enlightenment-era philosopher’s speech against the church. You might see a king being slain during the French Revolution, or an aggrieved worker railing against business owners during the Industrial Revolution. Those aren’t […]
VCU receives $2.3 million federal grant to support student military veterans
Virginia Commonwealth University has been awarded a $2.3 million federal grant from the Department of Education to support student military veterans.
Behind the Black and Gold: The Office of Innovation and Strategic Design
Innovation and Strategic Design at Virginia Commonwealth University is a unique office in the greater VCU ecosystem. The office is dedicated to helping the university investigate what decisions are best for it to make (and much more). Below, Garret Westlake, Ph.D., Vice Provost for Innovation and Strategic Design, discusses his office’s work, present and future […]
Celebrating those who inspire: Illuminating VCU’s faculty excellence
Virginia Commonwealth University honored its faculty on Oct. 27 at the Jefferson Hotel, celebrating recipients of the Distinguished Faculty Awards, National/International Recognition Awards and Pedagogical Excellence and Innovation Awards as well as named Commonwealth Professors and faculty who earned promotion and tenure. This year’s award recipients represented every school and college, reflecting the multidisciplinary impact […]
Office of the Provost Prospectus Newsletter (October)
Reflecting on a legacy of community engagement In 2028, VCU will celebrate its 60th anniversary. Established as an urban-serving institution, VCU was intentionally designed to engage with and meet community needs. As we reflect on this mission, our purpose is clear: to amplify impacts and demonstrate value for the public good. A helpful framework for […]
Your Voice Matters: Faculty Grievance Policy Updates
VCU is seeking faculty feedback on updates to our Faculty Grievance Policy and Procedures. Everyone is encouraged to take part in the open comment period, which is currently underway. The deadline to submit responses is October 16.
Convergence for the common good – youth mental health
The Office of the Provost team sat down with two leading experts at Virginia Commonwealth University to discuss social media and its impact on youth mental health in Virginia. Robert L. Findling, M.D., M.B.A., Professor & Department Chair in the VCU School of Medicine, Psychiatry, and Patrick R. Mullen, Ph.D., Professor & Chair, Department of […]
At the first Convergence Cafe, VCU scholars ask what AI means for our planet
Can we tap into the power of AI without Earth paying the price? Artificial intelligence can help scientists make sense of massive datasets, drive new innovations and predict how ecosystems will change. Yet its benefits are heavily dependent on data centers that rely on local water and power resources, affecting the environment and public perception. […]
Two VCU students honored by the Colonial Heights City Council for internship contributions
Through collaboration with multiple VCU units and the City of Colonial Heights, two VCU students left their mark while gaining real-world experience, college credit, and a paid internship. VCU undergraduate students Patrice Mazyck and Camila Ballesteros spent the summer interning with the City of Colonial Heights. They made impactful contributions by supporting the city’s HR […]
