Office of the Provost

VCU Blogs

Monthly Academic Report (April 2025)

by Fotis Sotiropoulos
VCU office of the provost

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Message from the Provost

Dear Colleagues,

The images above come from a presentation that I will be sharing with VCU’s Board of Visitors at a workshop later this month – and they are remarkable.

We have a great story to tell about our university today. Enrollment is poised to increase for the third consecutive year; our sponsored research funding is growing too; and VCU’s national rankings and reputation continues to rise as more and more people come to understand that we are a university that matters for the future.

None of that success is possible without the work and partnership of VCU’s excellent faculty. You are responsible for all of those new degree and certificate programs – and many other creative and effective initiatives like Every Ram’s a Researcher. With an innovation-driven academic enterprise, we are piquing the interest of more students and families. More are applying to VCU and more are accepting offers to study here.

Many of you have heard me say that great universities are no accident, and they don’t simply fall from the sky. They are built collaboratively and with great intention. Let’s continue that shared focus as we move forward, pushing the boundaries of research and pedagogy. The opportunity to work with so many of you on these many ideas makes my experience as VCU’s provost and chief academic officer incredibly rewarding and I am grateful for your efforts on behalf of the students we serve together.

Best regards,

Fotis
Fotis Sotiropoulos, Ph.D.
Provost and senior vice president for academic affairs

Celebrating VCU Faculty

A signature program of the Wilder School, the awards spotlight individuals and organizations that have made exceptional contributions to the practice of government and the betterment of Virginians. There will be a luncheon celebration on Tuesday, April 8, from noon to 2 p.m. at the Omni Richmond Hotel, 100 S. 12th St., in Richmond, with a 30-minute television program about this year’s recipients will air on WTVR-CBS6 in Richmond on April 17 at 7:30 p.m.

  • Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research has ranked five of Virginia Commonwealth University’s health sciences schools and departments in the top 15 for National Institutes of Health research funding in their fields among public institutions.  The institute is an independent, nonprofit organization that compiles annual rankings of NIH research funding to individual researchers and academic institutions.  Additionally, the National Science Foundation classifies VCU as one of the country’s top 50 public universities for research expenditures.
  • Virginia Commonwealth University’s Paul Wehman, Ph.D. has been honored with the 2025 National Distinguished Career Award from the Association for Rehabilitation Research, Policy and Education for his tireless work in supporting individuals with disabilities.  Wehman has been a faculty member since 1976 and currently serves as the interim director of VCU’s Rehabilitation Research and Training Center, having held the permanent role from 1983 to 2023. Additionally, Wehman is a professor in the VCU School of Education’s Department of Counseling and Special Education and holds a joint appointment in the School of Medicine’s Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.
  • The National Hartford Center for Gerontological Nursing Excellence, a distinction awarded to nursing schools that demonstrate a strong commitment to advancing the gerontological nursing field, is recognizing the VCU School of Nursing with a designation.  This marks the school’s eighth year of membership with the national organization, joining 55 other institutions dedicated to promoting excellence in care for aging populations.
  • Luciana de Oliveira, Ph.D., associate dean for academic affairs and graduate studies in Virginia Commonwealth University’s School of Education, has been recognized by the American Educational Research Association for her contributions to second language research, teaching and professional service.  Dr. de Oliviera, is being honored with the Leadership Through Research Award, which recognizes second language specialists who are engaged in innovative research and work to support other scholars in the field. She will receive the award in April at the 2025 AERA annual meeting in Denver.

Initiative Updates

  • The Division of Student Affairs will host Rams Remember, an event to honor students who have passed away in recent years. Families, friends, and supporters are invited to attend as we honor and celebrate the lives of these students. Event will occur in the Commons Plaza on April 14th from 6pm-7:30pm.
  • The Office of Multicultural Student Affairs is proud to celebrate Asian American + Pacific Islander Cultural Heritage Month in April.  Check out the VCU OMSA Instagram page for program details. Attendance at all OMSA events is open to all students, faculty and staff who wish to participate. Encourage students to come and to bring a friend.

Quest 2028 Data Point

Did you know that IRDS is currently administering the 2025 Noel Levitz Student Satisfaction Survey? The survey is an important online tool that helps the university identify strengths, challenges, and student priorities. Questions cover a range of topics including instruction, advising, safety, registration, financial aid, campus life, and more.

Every student has received a unique link via email inviting them to participate. If they can’t find the original, there is no need to worry! They will receive additional reminders prior to the April 21st deadline. As a bonus, every student who completes the survey will be entered into a drawing for two $100 and four $25 gift cards. Responses are vital to VCU’s continuous improvement, and we appreciate your help with encouraging students to participate. For more information, please visit the FAQ page.

Upcoming Events

Informational Session on Promotion and/or Tenure – Assistant Professors | Friday, April 4 | 2:00-3:15pm | Snead Hall, Room B1134 | Registration link forthcoming
Jointly organized by the Office of the Provost-Faculty Affairs and the School of Business. Information about promotion and/or tenure will be provided in two separate sessions – one session for assistant professors and another session for associate professors. Pilot with School of Business.
Speakers: TBA

Critical Thinking and Your Course Pedagogy | Wednesday, April 9 | 11:00am-12:15pm | Academic Learning Commons, Room 4100 | Register Here
This session invites faculty to critically examine their pedagogical approach to teaching. Speakers will explore ways to design course elements that enable student success. Through discussion and reflection, faculty will gain insights into aligning their teaching approaches with the goal of fostering deeper thinking skills in their classrooms.
Speakers: TBA

Informational Session on Promotion and/or Tenure – Associate Professors | Friday, April 11 | 2:00-3:15pm | Snead Hall, Room B1134 | Registration link forthcoming
Jointly organized by the Office of the Provost-Faculty Affairs and the School of Business. Information about promotion and/or tenure will be provided in two separate sessions – one session for assistant professors and another session for associate professors. Pilot with School of Business.
Speakers: TBA

Monthly Forum for Department Chairs – Strategies for Building Inclusive Workspaces | Wednesday, April 16 | 10:00-11:00am | Academic Learning Commons, Room 4100 | Registration link forthcoming
Speaker: Dr. Mangala Subramaniam, Senior Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs

Monthly Session for Faculty/Spring NFO Virtual Session | Thursday, April 17 | 10:00-11:15am | Virtual, via Zoom | Registration link forthcoming
This session is a discussion of the elements of a CV – the main parts – and how to continuously and consistently enter items. Acknowledging that CVs may vary by discipline, the goal of this session is to provide guidance on how to structure your CV and then continue to build it over time. What are the typical main sections of a CV? What is appropriate to include and when? What are the nuances in the content of a CV across disciplines?
Speakers: TBA

Third Annual Conference for Non-Tenure Track Faculty | Monday, April 21 | 8:30am-12:00pm | James Branch Cabell Library Lecture Hall, Room 303 | Registration link forthcoming
The annual conference is designed to support the professional goals of non-tenure track faculty. The conference aims to recognize the essential contributions of non-tenure track faculty; promote career planning and trajectories; and facilitate faculty connections and opportunities for collaboration.
Speakers: TBA

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Categories Academic Affairs, Faculty Affairs, Monthly Academic Update, Student Success, Uncategorized