Office of the Provost

Message from the Provost Dear Colleagues, I hope by now you have read the message from university leadership regarding the steps VCU is taking to remain in compliance with the policy guidance from the U.S. Dept. of Education. That guidance in DOE’s recent letter compels VCU to balance the university’s priorities. VCU prides itself on […]

Dear VCU Faculty, Once again, I am sorry that my schedule prevented me from attending the January 28th meeting of the VCU Faculty Senate. I understand that there was a spirited discussion regarding the guidance my office gave to deans regarding the prominent role that terminal degrees should play in the consideration of faculty promotions, […]

Message from the Provost Dear Colleagues, As I mentioned in my message at the top of the year, 2025 is focused on expanding the culture of care for VCU’s faculty members as the university strives for uncommon excellence. VCU’s enrollment is increasing, sponsored research is growing, and our national reputation and rankings are rising. None […]

The following guidelines regarding terminal degrees for promotion and/or tenure are effective immediately. Faculty P&T Policy – Credentials for Promotion Guidelines VCU’s current promotion and tenure policy lacks detail to define appropriate academic credentials required for promotion or tenure. The current policy only states the faculty must have: “Appropriate credentials and experience” (Section 2.1) and […]

Dear VCU Faculty, As we embark on the new year, 2025, I am thrilled to share the exciting progress we are making at VCU. Our enrollment is increasing, sponsored research is growing, and our national reputation and rankings are rising. None of this would be possible without your hard work and dedication. This year, we […]

Blondin and Westlake will lead expansion of international education and strategic design Dear Colleagues, I am pleased to announce the promotions of two dynamic leaders in the Office of the Provost.  Jill E. Blondin, Ph.D. has been promoted to vice provost for global initiatives and Garret Westlake, Ph.D. has been promoted to vice provost for […]

Dear Colleagues, I am pleased to announce that we have concluded our national search and have selected Kelli Feldman, Ph.D. as dean of the VCU School of Education. She will assume the role effective March 17, 2025. Dr. Feldman has served as the associate dean for Teacher Education and Undergraduate Programs at the University of […]

Dear Colleagues: I am very proud to announce and congratulate the 2024 class of the National/International Recognition Award (NIRA) scholars. These colleagues represent the best of the best, personifying the uncommon excellence across VCU. This annual award was created in partnership with the senior vice president for health sciences, Dr. Marlon Levy, to honor VCU […]

Dear Colleagues, I am pleased to announce that we have concluded our national search and have selected Gary Cuddeback, Ph.D. as dean of the VCU School of Social Work, effective immediately. Dr. Cuddeback has served as the school’s interim dean since July 2023. The VCU Board of Visitors will officially consider the appointment at its […]

Fotis Sotiropoulos, Ph.D., VCU’s provost and senior vice president for academic affairs, and Srirama Rao, Ph.D., VCU’s vice president for research and innovation, announced today that the VCU Rice Rivers Center is being repositioned to serve as a resource to the entire university. The idea for the change was among the final recommendations of the […]