Provost’s Monthly Academic Report (Sept. 2025)
Message from the Provost
Dear Colleagues,
As I step back into this role, I do so with deep respect for the work you’ve done and the care you’ve shown in shaping VCU’s academic future. Just look at all the new and bold ideas being launched under the initiative update section of this report! Congratulations on those, and on such a terrific start to the semester.
The Culture of Care we’ve begun to articulate is more than a message. It is a commitment. One that lives in the way we teach, advise, research, and lead. It is visible in how we support one another through change and how we center students in every decision we make.
Throughout the summer, I have been listening closely. To faculty navigating new program structures. To staff balancing innovation with continuity. To students who are finding their voice and using it. What I hear, again and again, is a desire for clarity, connection, and confidence in the path ahead. A Culture of Care calls for more than empathy, it calls for action. More than support, it calls for structure.
As we move forward, we will continue working to align our academic priorities with the lived realities of those who carry them forward. We will lift up the voices of faculty and staff who know what works and where we can grow. And we will strive to shape systems, policies, and communications that reflect the same care we expect in our classrooms and labs.
This is a season of transition. It is also a season of trust. I trust you to lead with integrity. I trust our students to rise to the challenge. And I trust that together, we will keep building a university that does more than respond to change. We will define it.
With appreciation,
Beverly J. Warren, Ed.D., Ph.D.
Interim Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs
Celebrating VCU Faculty
Seven outstanding educators and researchers were honored at this year’s Faculty Convocation, representing excellence across teaching, scholarship, service, and innovation:
- Kenneth A. Ellenbogen, M.D. (School of Medicine) University Award of Excellence A pioneer in cardiac electrophysiology, Ellenbogen’s work in arrhythmia treatment and device innovation has made VCU a national destination for clinical care.
- Krista L. Donohoe, Pharm.D. (School of Pharmacy) Distinguished Teaching Award Known for her active-learning labs and real-world instruction, Donohoe empowers pharmacy students to respond to urgent health challenges like opioid overdose.
- Jason A. Carlyon, Ph.D. (School of Medicine) Distinguished Scholarship Award Carlyon’s research on rickettsial infections has laid the groundwork for future vaccines and advanced translational science.
- Susan G. Kornstein, M.D. (School of Medicine) Distinguished Service Award A trailblazer in women’s health, Kornstein co-founded VCU’s Institute for Women’s Health, driving interdisciplinary research and community engagement.
- Ka Un Lao, Ph.D. (College of Humanities and Sciences) Outstanding Early Career Faculty Award Lao integrates quantum chemistry with machine learning to develop tools that could transform energy solutions and drug discovery.
- Mariah Crilley, Ph.D. (University College) Outstanding Term Faculty Award Crilley’s leadership in Interdisciplinary Studies, including her work in creating university-level interdisciplinary programs like the Practical AI minor through Convergence Labs, has expanded access for transfer and nontraditional students, emphasizing broad problem-solving skills.
- Garland Wesley Childress (College of Humanities and Sciences) Outstanding Adjunct Faculty Award With over 50 years of service in mathematics, Childress is celebrated for his enduring commitment to student engagement and departmental leadership.
Three VCU faculty members are leading breakthroughs in cardiac care, supported by VCU TechTransfer and Ventures:
- Ajay Pillai, M.D. (Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine) Co-developer of SurePace, an AI-powered system that guides physicians in placing pacemaker leads with greater precision. The technology aims to simplify left bundle branch area pacing and reduce complications for patients with heart failure.
- Ilija Uzelac, Ph.D. (Department of Surgery, School of Medicine) partnered with Dr. Pillai to design the system’s core components, using real-time ECG data and signal modeling to create a “co-pilot” for lead placement. Their work is currently undergoing clinical validation.
- Mark Nelson, M.D. (Department of Anesthesiology, School of Medicine) Creator of Periop Pacemaker, a mobile app that helps clinicians manage cardiac devices during surgery. The app translates complex guidelines into a clear decision tree, improving safety and confidence in the operating room.
VCU researchers are leading a community-driven effort to monitor and address harmful algal blooms in urban lakes across the region:
- Paul Bukaveckas, Ph.D. (School of Life Sciences and Sustainability) Leads the water sampling initiative focused on nine lakes in and around Richmond. His team is measuring E. coli and microcystin levels to assess public health risks and inform local response strategies.
- Kyleigh Johnson (Graduate Student, Department of Biology) Conducts field sampling and lab analysis, including nutrient testing and bacterial counts. Her work emphasizes the public impact of environmental research and the importance of safe recreational spaces.
- Mac Lee (Staff Researcher, School of Life Sciences and Sustainability) Supports sample collection and nutrient analysis, helping translate field data into actionable insights for community health and environmental stewardship.
Transforming Health Through Liver Research
- Arun Sanyal, M.D. (Director, Stravitz-Sanyal Institute for Liver Disease and Metabolic Health) A global leader in hepatology, Dr. Sanyal is pioneering efforts to prevent and treat liver disease—often called the “silent killer”—through breakthrough drug therapies and international research partnerships. Under his leadership, the institute is redefining liver health as a gateway to improving outcomes in diabetes, heart disease, and metabolic disorders.
Advancing Addiction Science… VCU researchers are uncovering new therapeutic strategies to treat cocaine use disorder by targeting the brain’s dopamine system:
- Lankupalle Jayanthi, Ph.D. (Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine) Leads a research team investigating how cocaine disrupts dopamine regulation. Her work focuses on modifying dopamine transporters to reduce the drug’s addictive effects without interfering with normal brain function.
- Sammanda Ramamoorthy, Ph.D. ( Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine) Co-leads the study and is developing an mRNA-based drug that mimics the dopamine transporter’s phosphorylation site. This innovation could prevent dopamine depletion and reduce relapse risk for individuals in recovery.
Their findings, published in the Journal of Neuroscience, offer a promising path toward the first FDA-approved treatment for stimulant drug abuse.
Mentorship in Motion… Two VCU neurologists exemplify the transformative power of mentorship in academic medicine:
- Kelly Gwathmey, M.D. (Chief of the Division of Neuromuscular Medicine, Director of the VCU Health ALS Clinic, and Program Director of the Neuromuscular Fellowship) Dr. Gwathmey has mentored aspiring physicians for over a decade, including one who would become her colleague.
- Emma Parolisi, M.D. (Neurology resident at VCU School of Medicine) Dr. Parolisi first shadowed Dr. Gwathmey as a high school student and credits that experience with shaping her career. Now a rising educator herself, she recently earned departmental recognition for her commitment to teaching medical students.
Their story reflects VCU’s culture of care, continuity, and faculty investment in the next generation of clinicians.
Initiative Updates
- Strategic Plan Alignment: Quest 2028 & the 3Ps… VCU has completed a compliance-driven revision of its Quest 2028 strategic plan to reflect its alignment with federal and state guidance and the VCU Board of Visitors resolution. The updated plan preserves the original pillars and goals, while refining language to support institutional clarity and accountability. The revision process, led by the Quest 2028 Revision Advisory Group, generated 182 faculty and staff recommendations. These informed the final updates approved by the President’s Cabinet. Academic units have now been directed to begin aligning their local strategic plans with Quest 2028, using the 3Ps framework — Process, Protected Characteristics, and Perception — as a guiding structure for assessing and managing risk in unit-level planning and reporting.
- Enrollment Growth… VCU is welcoming one of its largest-ever freshman cohorts this fall, with more than 4,500 students in the Class of 2029—marking a 6.6% increase over last year and positioning it as the second-largest class in university history. Transfer enrollment is also surging, making this the strongest incoming transfer class in four years. With total enrollment projected to exceed 29,000 students, a five-year high. VCU continues to grow as a destination of choice for talented, and motivated learners.
- Growing Online enrollment… Part of that growing enrollment is happening online. Check out the recently launched, new VCU Online. The website is a collaboration between academic affairs, SEMSS and EMC in partnership with VCU’s schools/colleges.
- Convergence Labs Momentum… VCU’s Convergence Labs is expanding rapidly, with enterprise-level themes launching this fall in AI, Neurosciences (Mental Health and Neurodegeneration) and Health Outcomes. Convergence Labs is a university-wide initiative for advancing transdisciplinary research, interdisciplinary curricula and transformative learning opportunities. Through this signature, centrally-supported platform faculty, staff, students and community partners will collaborate to address real-world challenges, representing what’s possible when higher education breaks barriers and operates without walls.
- Promotion & Tenure Policy Updates… Following extensive faculty input and task force review, VCU is implementing key changes to its promotion and tenure policies, and a stand-alone promotion policy for non-tenure track faculty. The Provost’s Office is working to ensure alignment with R1 standards while honoring diverse contributions across disciplines.
- COACHE Survey: What’s Next… VCU’s spring 2025 COACHE Faculty Job Satisfaction Survey drew a strong response rate of 55.9%, with some units exceeding 75% participation. This fall, the COACHE steering committee will collaborate with the Office of the Provost to co-create action plans that reflect feedback and priorities. We’ve just received the summary results from the survey and will soon announce the logistics for sharing it with the VCU community. That will prioritize transparency, collaboration, and meaningful change in support of faculty thriving.
- CommUNity Faculty Launch… VCU has launched CommUNity, a new collaborative space for faculty to explore teaching innovation, experiment with emerging technologies, and connect across disciplines. Sponsored by LEDstudio, Academic Technologies, and CTLE, CommUNity offers workshops, roundtables, and peer-led sessions in a low-barrier, high-impact environment. Whether you’re curious, cautious, or ready to dive in—CommUNity is open to all. Join today and help shape what’s next in teaching and learning.
- Faculty Pathways for Global Engagement… VCU’s Global Education Office (GEO) offers faculty multiple ways to engage globally—through study abroad programs, virtual exchange, international teaching, and collaborative research. Faculty can also build skills for supporting international students via Global Zone workshops and connect with global partners through institutional agreements and funding opportunities like the Global Impact Awards.
- Supporting International Student Success… GEO serves as a one-stop shop for J1 and F1 international students on campus, including offering academic and immigration support, as well as assistance with non-academic matters (health insurance, housing, etc) and social programming. We encourage faculty to remind international students of these resources and refer students to GEO for support when needed.
Quest 2028 Data Point
Data in Action: Partnering for Insight and Impact… VCU’s Office of Institutional Research and Decision Support (IRDS) is gearing up for a transformative year—and they’re inviting units across campus to join them. As an enterprise service provider, IRDS collaborates with teams university-wide to turn data into strategy, insight, and action.
This fall, IRDS will launch its new strategic plan, Roadmap for Excellence, and lead analytical research using LightCast to measure VCU’s economic and social impact across the region and state. They’ll also expand campus-wide data governance through HelioCampus and a revitalized Data and Information Management Council.
Looking ahead, IRDS is enhancing self-service tools and dashboards to make data more accessible, visual, and actionable. If your unit is ready to explore new possibilities, IRDS is ready to partner—let’s build smarter, together.
Upcoming Faculty Affairs Learning Opportunities
Beyond Multiple Choice: Reimagining Assessments Using AI | Tuesday, September 2 |2:00 PM – 3:00 PM | Virtual, via Zoom | Register here
Considering how to expand your assessment toolkit while still meeting the demands of your course? In this interactive session, you’ll discover how generative AI can help you redesign assessments that promote critical thinking, creativity, and real-world application. Explore innovative assignment types, evaluate authentic examples, and collaborate with peers to develop a fresh, AI-enhanced assessment that aligns with your course goals.
Monthly Forum for Department Chairs – Balancing Leadership and Your Academic Identity | September 10 | 10:00-11:00am | Academic Learning Commons, Room 4100 | Register Here
This monthly forum explores effective strategies for managing administrative responsibilities and your academic and professional pursuits. A panel of department chairs will share strategies they use to maintain their scholarly identity while leading an academic department. Whether you’re new to the role or a seasoned chair, this forum provides valuable insights to support your success in balancing these critical aspects of your professional life.
Panelists: Kevin Allison, Professor and Chair, Psychology; Rebecca Heise, Inez A. Caudill, Jr. Distinguished Professor and Chair, Biomedical Engineering; Cynthia Myron, Associate Professor, Senior Director, Fine Arts and Director of Graduate Studies, School of the Arts; Robert Perera, Associate Professor and Interim Chair, Biostatistics
Peer Review and Feedback with Peerceptive | Wednesday, September 10 | 11:00 am – 12:00 pm | Virtual via Zoom | Register Here
Looking to improve how your students give and receive feedback? In this interactive workshop, you’ll explore Peerceptiv, a peer review platform that helps students submit work and provide meaningful, actionable feedback to one another using a rubric. You’ll participate in a hands-on demo and leave with practical ideas to integrate Peerceptiv into your teaching to boost engagement, reflection, and learning. Please bring a how-to written paper containing 2-3 paragraphs using one of the following prompts: 1. How to bake cookies 2. How to conduct meaningful classroom discussions 3. How to study for an important test
Monthly Session for Faculty – Graduate Student Mentoring | September 16 | 12:00-1:15pm | Virtual, via Zoom | Register Here
The September session, entitled “Mentoring and Working with Graduate Students” is co-sponsored with the Graduate School. It features a conversation on developing and fostering effective mentoring and working relationships with graduate students and will include a discussion of the “Compact” being developed by the Graduate School.
Speakers: Jeffery Wilson, Associate Dean, Graduate School & Professor, Educational Leadership, School of Education; Hamid Akbarali, Professor, Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine; Lindsey Evans, Assistant Professor, Public Administration and Policy, L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs; Kevin Allison, Chair, Psychology, College of Humanities and Sciences
Learning with Lucid: Visual Tools to Enhance Student Engagement in Canvas | Tuesday, September 23 | 12:00pm – 1:00pm | Virtual, via Zoom | Register Here
A beginner level workshop to introduce Lucid in Canvas and build a couple of interactions. Bring a Canvas course to experiment with us.
Gen AI & Teaching & Learning Series – Crafting a Gen AI Use Policy for Your Syllabus | September 25 | 11:00am-12:15pm | Virtual, via Zoom | Register Here
With generative AI tools transforming how students approach assignments, it’s important for faculty to set clear expectations in their course syllabi. This session will help provide guidance to start crafting a Gen AI course policy that clearly communicates how these tools may be used— or restricted— in your course. You’ll learn strategies to promote academic integrity, address ethical concerns, and support transparent communication with students about AI’s role in their learning.
Speakers: Dayna Henry, Assistant Director of the Scholarship Area at the Center for Faculty Innovation, Associate Professor of Health Sciences, College of Health and Behavioral Studies, James Madison University; Jess Taggart, Assistant Director and Assistant Professor, Center for Teaching Excellence, University of Virginia
From Students to Global Ambassadors: A Strategic Approach to International Alumni Engagement | September 23, 2025 | 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM | Student Commons, Richmond Salon IV | Register Here
Presented by Vivian Wang, Ph.D., Vice Provost for Global Engagement, University of Tulsa This session offers a comprehensive framework for supporting international students and cultivating long-term alumni engagement. Offered for the third year by the Global Education Office, this fall’s Master Class Series invites faculty, staff, and administrators to explore internationalization practices with leading experts. Topics include global engagement, strategic partnerships, and supporting international student success.
Please look out for our monthly Faculty Affairs newsletter, which includes information about upcoming sessions and other resources for faculty.
– Subscribe to the Office of the Provost blog –
Categories Academic Affairs, Faculty Affairs, Monthly Academic Update, Provost, Student Success