Office of the Provost Prospectus Newsletter
Scaling impacts through academic internships
At the 2026 State of the University Address, President Rao encouraged us to be bold together and to consider how our work strengthens Virginia, the nation and the world.
One way that we are answering this urgent call is by scaling opportunities for credit-bearing academic internships for VCU undergraduate students. Together, we can fundamentally expand the ROI of a VCU undergraduate degree through new avenues for impactful, real-world experiences.
To support this key initiative, VCU is establishing the Academic Internships Office. The office will partner with VCU’s academic units to design, source and sustain high-quality internships that benefit both students and organizations and count toward students’ degree requirements.
Here’s the most exciting part: Your VCU unit can create on-campus credit-bearing internships of your own. We are grateful to units already hosting non-credit interns through existing programs. Now we’re seeking partners to create innovative opportunities that students can complete for credit.
Please join this mission. Creating a credit-bearing internship within your unit provides:
- Tangible student-informed insights and outcomes for your team’s objectives
- Professional development and mentorship opportunities for students, faculty and staff alike
- Student exposure to varied career pathways at VCU and beyond
Let’s be bold together! Imagine the impact if every VCU office created at least one opportunity for an academic intern to learn and grow.
The Academic Internship Office team will walk you through the process step-by-step.
Sincerely yours,
Andrew Arroyo, Ed.D.
Senior Vice Provost of Academic Affairs
Research and Impacts
Thank you to VCU’s faculty and staff
At the final stretch of our academic year, the Office of the Provost thanks our incredible faculty and staff for their dedication to our students. The heart of this university isn’t the brick and mortar; it’s the late-night grading sessions, extended student support hours and all the extra efforts and sacrifices you make to help our students succeed. Thank you for making this another UNstoppable year.
Arturo Saavedra named VCU’s executive vice president and provost
Arturo Saavedra, M.D., Ph.D., has been appointed executive vice president and provost at Virginia Commonwealth University after serving in the role on an interim basis since December 2025. Saavedra will help lead academic planning and priorities during a vital time in VCU’s evolution and momentum.
“Art has brought innovation, integrity, a clear commitment to our complex mission, and a collaborative spirit to the important work of VCU’s chief academic officer role,” said VCU President Michael Rao, Ph.D.
Saavedra’s appointment culminates a national search and places a widely respected academic and health sciences leader in one of the university’s most important positions at a time when VCU is building momentum in student success, research growth and cross-university collaboration.
“VCU’s strength comes from its people and its mission, and I am committed to supporting faculty excellence, student success and the continued evolution of the university in ways that are bold, distinctive and mission-driven.”
– Arturo Saavedra
VCU showcases leadership in undergraduate research with NCUR in Richmond
More than 5,000 undergraduate researchers gathered in Richmond for the National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR), setting a national stage for the exchange of ideas, student scholarship and interdisciplinary discovery. VCU played a central role in this monumental event, the largest undergraduate research conference in the country.
“It means a lot to be able to share my work with people from all over the country. It’s also really exciting it’s at VCU this year, which makes it even more accessible for students like me. I think it really will help with my own personal development and to help me be able to feel like I am sharing my work professionally and hopefully opening doors to my future.”
– Molly Goecker, Senior, Biology, Honors College
Q&A: Understanding “wicked problems” and how to solve them
VCU Convergence faculty director, Daniel Gutierrez, Ph.D.,
explains how “wicked problems,” big, societal problems that shift as you try to solve them — such as the growing mental health crisis in the U.S. He emphasizes the vital role of transdisciplinary collaboration, noting that interventions often improve one area while creating new pressures elsewhere. Addressing these challenges through community-led impacts is a key objective of the VCU Convergence Mental Health group, of which Gutierrez is also a faculty co-lead.
TEDxVCU Illuminate: At the intersection of art and medicine
Sterling Hundley, MFA, professor of communication arts took to the TEDxVCU stage to reflect on an unexpected intersection of art and medicine. As a co-principal investigator of the Applied Arts Lab Vertically Integrated Project at VCU, Hundley shared stories from his time documenting surgeries and complex clinical moments through drawings and how this experience relates to broader interdisciplinary work with VCU Health.
Embedded inside operating rooms and hospital settings, sketching became a tool for slowing down, noticing patterns and translating high-stakes medical environments into observable and interpretable art. His reflections traced how the creative process can function inside systems defined by urgency and precision.
VCU Globe students attend the inaugural Global Leadership Summit in D.C.
The VCU Global Education Office coordinated its first Global Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C. at the Institute of International Education (IIE) on April 17. Staff and leaders accompanied 28 VCU Globe students as they participated in a global engagement activity designed to provide an international leadership development experience, including networking opportunities and alumni engagement.
During the Summit, students engaged with global leaders and institutions, exploring how individuals and organizations in D.C. contribute to international cooperation and address global challenges.
The students networked with VCU Globe alumni and professionals, heard how their international experiences shaped their personal and professional journeys, and gained insight into the many career pathways a global perspective can open.
Break the Silos, Build the Brand: The New Enrollment Playbook
Published in the Journal of College Admission, Hernan Bucheli, Ed.D., and Grant J. Heston, MBA, demonstrate a case study of recruitment innovation at VCU. They advocate that themes such as distinctiveness, shared ownership, brand experience and integration across the university are driving factors for successful enrollment.
“Today’s students don’t judge your brand by billboards or sleek viewbooks. They judge it by how easy you make it to say ‘yes’. That mantra led to two new admission websites at VCU — both of which are seeing great success.”
29th Annual Graduate Research Symposium: celebrating scholarship
As a signature event of VCU’s Research Weeks, graduate students gathered to showcase their essential roles in driving research, impacts and innovation. Sponsored by the Graduate Student Association, the unique program utilizes a student chair and committee to organize and facilitate the event to grow their research leadership capabilities. Top-scoring students were recognized with small monetary awards across four disciplines.
Recognitions
Scott named an American Council on Education Fellow
The American Council on Education (ACE) has selected Krista Scott, Ed.D., associate vice president for strategic enrollment management special programs, as an ACE Fellow for academic year 2026-2027. Following nominations by VCU senior administration and a rigorous application process, Scott will join a class of 31 Fellows in the program developed to identify and prepare faculty and staff for senior positions in college and university administration.
“I have always believed that education is a fundamental right and a catalyst for transformative change, and this ACE Fellowship offers a unique opportunity to observe how diverse institutions navigate an ever-evolving environment.”
– Krista Scott
SCHEV Awards nominations
The 2027 SCHEV Outstanding Faculty and Rising Star Awards Call for Nominations is now open. This is a limited submission award. VCU’s internal deadline for submission of nominations to the Provost is July 17, 2026.
Events
VCU Undergraduate Education Course (Re)Design Workshop & Expo
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]
9th Annual Research to Recovery Conference – May 20-21
VCU Rams in Recovery and VCU Rehabilitation Counseling welcome community members, professionals and researchers for two days of engaging talks and presentations focused on mental health, substance use and recovery. Talks will cover exploring basic research, wellness prevention, early intervention, treatment and recovery. Continuing education credits (10) are available.
Resources
Generative AI survey
VCU Technology Services and the Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence have launched an AI survey to better understand sentiments and skills surrounding the use of Generative AI tools. Learn more and take the survey.
New Faculty Orientation: Save the Date: August 12, 12 p.m.
The New Faculty Orientation introduces new faculty members to VCU’s academic community, resources and support services and provides new faculty members an opportunity to network with other incoming colleagues as well as VCU’s faculty and leadership.
Partner with the VCU Health Hub
The VCU Health Hub welcomes partnerships with organizations, researchers, students, and community leaders who share our commitment to health and well-being. If you’re interested in collaborating on programs, research or other initiatives, please contact Sarah McCall at: [email protected] with questions.
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