Curiosity, collaboration and our VCU community
Dear colleagues,
As we approach the final stretch of the Spring semester, we have much to celebrate. From our men’s basketball team’s historic comeback in March Madness to VCU’s ranking among the top 225 universities in the world by TIME Magazine, our momentum is undeniable. These achievements, alongside our first annual VCU Day of Service, highlight the vibrant energy of our community.
My first four months as interim executive vice president and provost have reinforced a powerful truth: VCU’s greatest strength lies in our commitment to interdisciplinarity. To solve society’s most complex challenges, we cannot simply treat symptoms; we must identify root causes.
This requires us to look beyond the boundaries of our own departments and leverage the collective expertise of our entire institution. We are at our best when a social scientist, a public health researcher, and a philosopher collaborate to build a single ethical framework.
Innovation through collaboration
We see this “whole-picture” approach in action every day across our campus:
- The Applied Arts Lab: Whether creating storyboards for neurodivergent children at the Evans-Haynes Burn Center or partnering with the CoStar Group to model the Green Bank Telescope, our Vertically Integrated Projects prove that breakthroughs happen at the intersection of technology, art, and science. And are only made more impactful when we allow our students to lead.
- Discovery and history: The groundbreaking work of Dr. Amy Rector, professor in the College of Humanities and Sciences, and her research team reminds us that the most incredible stories about our past—and our future—are still waiting to be uncovered right here at VCU.
Our Vision for the Future
Our mission remains clear: to train our students to be global citizens who approach the world with a balance of joy, curiosity, and critical thinking. By fostering an environment where we care for one another and value diverse perspectives, we ensure that VCU remains a leader in creative problem-solving.
It is a privilege to serve this dynamic community. I am inspired by the collaboration I see daily and look forward to the breakthroughs we will achieve together in the months and years to come.
Thank you,
Art
Art Saavedra, M.D., Ph.D., MBA
Interim executive vice president and provost