This month, as we host the National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR) — the largest of its kind — we shine a national spotlight on what sets our university apart: a deep commitment to undergraduate research that drives real-world impact. With more than 400 VCU students presenting alongside faculty and peer mentors, NCUR reflects not just the scale of our work, but the outcomes it delivers — graduates ready to lead, innovate and solve meaningful problems from day one. In fact, almost a third of our students are actively engaged in research.
At VCU, undergraduate research and internships are proven catalysts for upward mobility. By pairing discovery with hands-on experience, students build critical skills, expand networks and apply their knowledge to strengthen communities and advance society.
This momentum is accelerated by VCU Convergence. Through transdisciplinary collaboration, these talented faculty researchers create community-driven, people-first solutions. Their collaborations fuel classroom and hands-on opportunities for students to help to solve the most complex challenges of our time. VCU Convergence is catalyzing ideas into impacts.
Art Saavedra, M.D., Ph.D., M.B.A. Interim executive vice president and provost
Research and impacts
VCU Convergence Health Outcomes: Closing health gaps
Join us as we highlight how VCU is addressing critical gaps in health outcomes through VCU Convergence. This video features faculty leaders from the Health Outcomes group who are working across disciplines to transform research, care and community impact.
VCU to host the nation’s largest undergraduate research conference
For the first time, Virginia Commonwealth University will host the annual National Conference on Undergraduate Research this month, the nation’s largest conference spotlighting excellence in undergraduate research.
From April 13-15, more than 4,000 undergraduate student presenters from across the country will converge at the Greater Richmond Convention Center to showcase their scholarship and creative projects. VCU will have more than 400 students presenting at the conference, representing all of VCU’s schools and colleges that serve undergraduates.
Students, alumni, faculty and staff offer a hand to community leaders and organizations as part of VCU’s Day of Service
Virginia Commonwealth University held its inaugural Day of Service last month, where students, alumni, faculty and staff from VCU worked alongside local community organizations and neighborhood leaders across the Richmond metro area for the day.
Nearly 100 volunteers from VCU took part in the Day of Service, assisting a total of 11 community organizations.
Volunteer work from the Day of Service included: tree maintenance at a southside Richmond playground, a cemetery cleanup in northside, removal of invasive vines and weeds at a monastery, meal preparation for a community kitchen, beautification at an RPS elementary school and more.
VCU’s Day of Service is hosted by the Division of Community Engagement in the Office of the Provost.
Interim Provost Saavedra connects with campus at Town Halls
Last week, the Office of the Provost hosted two campus-wide town halls on the Monroe Park and MCV campuses, where interim executive vice president and provost Saavedra fielded candid questions from faculty and staff on topics ranging from university finances to graduate student support to the future of academic programs. The discussions also focused on big-picture shifts, including how VCU Convergenceis reshaping collaboration across disciplines, how research can better translate into real-world impact, and how the university is addressing key topics like graduate stipends, faculty growth, and student success. If you were unable to attend either town hall and would like to share your thoughts, fill out our feedback form below.
AI Ready RVA: Power of Possibility Conference highlights VCU and Virginia’s leadership in human-centered AI
At the AI Ready RVA “Power of Possibility” conference, Virginia Commonwealth University highlighted its growing role in shaping a more AI-ready Richmond through education, research and community partnership. The event brought together leaders across industry, government and academia to focus on practical, human-centered AI and the region’s collective momentum toward real-world impact.
“We’re going to focus on progress, and we’re going to think about how AI can and should be leveraged for the public good. That vision is already taking shape at VCU.” – Arturo Saavedra, M.D., Ph.D., MBA., interim executive vice president and provost
AI, meet collaboration: How VCU is leading AI through transdisciplinary collaboration
At the recent VCU Convergence AI Accelerator Workshop, faculty, staff and industry partners came together to explore how AI can harness the power of cross-disciplinary collaboration to solve complex challenges. This growing momentum positions VCU at the forefront of responsible, real-world AI adoption, where human creativity and emerging technology work hand in hand — not just adapting to the future of AI — but helping define it.
“The evolution of AI demands that we focus more on just the technology. We must ensure that AI is responsible, fair and trustworthy, or, as we like to call it, responsible use of AI. Serving as a national authority in several academic disciplines, VCU is strategically positioned within Virginia’s rapidly expanding data center landscape to become a leader in this field, advocating for the responsible use of AI for the public good.”– Milos Manic, Ph.D., professor of computer science and VCU Convergence AI faculty lead
Wed., May 13 | 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. VCU University Student Commons
Join colleagues to collaborate and reimagine VCU undergraduate education, one course at a time. This event is open to all faculty and staff instructors teaching undergraduate courses. A continental breakfast and lunch will be provided. RSVP by Fri., April 10 to ensure organizers can properly plan for your sessions! Session facilitators will follow up with registrants. For more information, contact [email protected]
VCU Letters in front of the Eugene P. and Lois E. Trani Center for Life Sciences
VCU Convergence seeking proposals to spark transdisciplinary collaboration
VCU invites faculty to apply for VCU Convergence planning grants supporting transdisciplinary collaboration across colleges, schools and campuses. Teams of at least three faculty can receive up to $10,000 to develop research partnerships, interdisciplinary curricula or experiential learning opportunities for students. Projects will run July 2026–June 2027 addressing complex societal challenges across five Convergence themes:
Seeking faculty comments on university post tenure review policy
The university’s draft post tenure review policy is open for public comment until April 24th. Please provide your feedback and share the link with your faculty colleagues.
Digital accessibility: A quick guide for VCU faculty
Incorporating digital accessibility in course instruction is not just a best practice for inclusive learning — it’s the law. We all share a responsibility to students so that all digital course materials, including Canvas pages, documents, videos, audio, emails, and third-party tools, are optimized for accessibility.
We’ve developed a quick guide that outlines key strategies, resources, tools and an ongoing action plan checklist to help ensure all VCU curricula meets federal WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility standard by April 24, 2026.
The 2025–27 VCU Civic Engagement Plan is now finalized, outlining the university’s goals for strengthening civic engagement over the next two academic years. The plan highlights several priorities, including the creation of a university-level Civic Engagement Committee, new infrastructure to expand engagement opportunities and initiatives that foster dialogue across differences within the VCU community.
Together, these efforts aim to ensure that civic engagement remains a visible, integrated and enduring part of the VCU experience. View the full plan and its one‑page summary and share them widely with colleagues and partners.
