[{"id":1767,"date":"2026-11-11T09:30:13","date_gmt":"2026-11-11T14:30:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/?p=1767"},"modified":"2026-11-11T09:30:15","modified_gmt":"2026-11-11T14:30:15","slug":"in-this-unique-vcu-class-students-role-play-their-way-into-history","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/2026\/11\/11\/in-this-unique-vcu-class-students-role-play-their-way-into-history\/","title":{"rendered":"In this unique VCU class, students role-play their way into history"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If you walk by an Honors College<\/a> classroom at Virginia Commonwealth University this semester, you might hear a judge\u2019s plea for order, or an Enlightenment-era philosopher\u2019s speech against the church. You might see a king being slain during the French Revolution, or an aggrieved worker railing against business owners during the Industrial Revolution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Those aren\u2019t videos that students are watching. They\u2019re characters the students themselves are portraying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Clash of Ideas, a cornerstone course in the Honors College\u2019s new curriculum, students largely serve as leaders of the class. The engaged-learning approach was developed by the Reacting Consortium<\/a>, and Clash of Ideas is the first course of its kind to be offered at VCU.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt kind of upends what is seen as a traditional classroom,\u201d said Honors College instructor Bethany Holmstrom<\/a>, Ph.D., who teaches a section of Clash of Ideas. \u201cReacting is one of these student-centered pedagogies where students are in charge and are steering how the learning experience goes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Playing roles and playing a game of sorts<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Clash of Ideas is rooted in role-playing activities like the game Dungeons & Dragons and Model U.N. debates. Students are assigned a role, such as King Louis XVI in the French Revolution, and play it for the duration of the exercise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the course, even while covering history, goes beyond re-enacting it. Clash of Ideas is randomized to keep the game\u2019s outcome unknown to participants. The roll of a six-sided die determines key moments of the campaign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s just a really great way to research differently, but to also think differently,\u201d said Ella Milton-Benoit, an Honors College senior who is majoring in political science in the College of Humanities and Sciences<\/a>. \u201cAs a character in the game, you just have a different connection to the material. It has helped me see how the theory I\u2019ve learned about in lecture courses was really applied and developed during historical events.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This semester in Clash of Ideas, Milton-Benoit is playing a blacksmith who is a part of the English middle class during the Industrial Revolution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis class takes you from this abstract \u2018I know theory exists\u2019 \u2026 to a very hands-on, experiential learning experience \u2013 to \u2018Oh, I see how this economic theory came into play at the time because my character is really struggling with population growth\u2019 or something along those lines,\u201d Milton-Benoit said. \u201cIt just helps see how it was applicable in real life.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Developing modern skills from history<\/strong>

By portraying characters, Clash of Ideas students engage with history in real time while developing writing and public speaking abilities, enhancing research skills, understanding how strategy is built, and honing oratory and debate abilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe class allows students to see and explore the tensions that existed in these historical factions in a new way that you can\u2019t really experience in a traditional lecture-style course,\u201d Holmstrom said. \u201cIt immerses them within the debate. It\u2019s truly innovative in how it does that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She said the setup \u201cmakes students have skin in the game\u201d \u2013 even when the game takes them to unexpected places.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf this were a traditional-style course, it would be challenging to have them feel like they had something at stake in Reformation Augsburg, where there is a debate about whether church services should be in Latin or German,\u201d Holmstrom said. \u201cAnd now, since they are actually playing the historical figures involved, they are yelling and fiercely debating this.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018It is active learning in all aspects\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Honors College Dean Scott Breuninger<\/a>, Ph.D., said Clash of Ideas reflects the college\u2019s updated curriculum and its focus on helping students enhance their critical thinking, communication and teamwork.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAt the same time, we know that students are more successful when they are part of a community of learners,\u201d he said. \u201cClash of Ideas allows students to engage with challenging ideas in a way that requires them to think creatively and work cooperatively in order to solve problems.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt is active learning in all aspects,\u201d added instructor Katie Knop<\/a>, Ph.D., who teaches a section of the course. \u201cThe game, in a way, makes every student participate in the class in ways that they do not in other classes because the opportunity to do so is not there.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Theo Nunn, an Honors College freshman who is majoring in chemistry in the College of Humanities and Sciences, said they embrace the opportunity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI find myself looking forward to this class throughout the week,\u201d they said. \u201cIt\u2019s really fun and engaging. I like my standard history classes, but I really thrive in this class because I get to interact with that history through a role-playing game.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And in doing so, she and her fellow students are learning individually and through working together, Holmstrom noted: \u201cI think Clash builds community in a really unique way that I have not seen in other classrooms.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This story was originally published on VCU News<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

If you walk by an Honors College classroom at Virginia Commonwealth University this semester, you might hear a judge\u2019s plea for order, or an Enlightenment-era philosopher\u2019s speech against the church. You might see a king being slain during the French Revolution, or an aggrieved worker railing against business owners during the Industrial Revolution. Those aren\u2019t […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2255,"featured_media":1768,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1767","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1767","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2255"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1767"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1767\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1770,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1767\/revisions\/1770"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1768"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1767"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1767"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1767"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":1764,"date":"2026-11-11T09:16:11","date_gmt":"2026-11-11T14:16:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/?p=1764"},"modified":"2026-11-11T09:31:05","modified_gmt":"2026-11-11T14:31:05","slug":"vcu-receives-2-3-million-federal-grant-to-support-student-military-veterans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/2026\/11\/11\/vcu-receives-2-3-million-federal-grant-to-support-student-military-veterans\/","title":{"rendered":"VCU receives $2.3 million federal grant to support student military veterans"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Virginia Commonwealth University has been awarded a $2.3 million federal grant from the Department of Education to support student military veterans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The three-year grant, from the department\u2019s Centers of Excellence for Veteran Student Success<\/a>, will directly support VCU\u2019s Military Student Services Office<\/a>, the primary on-campus resource for student veterans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis multimillion-dollar investment reflects VCU\u2019s deep and enduring commitment to those who have served our country and to the success they pursue after their military service,\u201d said Hernan Bucheli<\/a>, Ed.D., vice president of VCU\u2019s Division of Strategic Enrollment Management and Global Initiatives<\/a>. \u201cOur student veterans bring exceptional leadership, resilience, perspective and purpose to our university, and we are committed to ensuring they have every opportunity to thrive academically, professionally and personally.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Over the last three years, VCU has seen an increase in the number of student veterans it supports \u2013 currently, there are more than 400 student veterans enrolled as undergraduates or graduate students. VCU is also a leader in the Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program<\/a>, and it is designated as a Military Friendly School, earning a gold award based on factors including retention, graduation, job placement, loan default rates and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new CEVSS grant will support VCU\u2019s Military Student Services Office in:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Hiring new full-time positions in the office.
\u2022 Expanding the office\u2019s physical space.
\u2022 Creating a reimbursement fund to waive the cost of application fees for veteran applicants.
\u2022 Covering the cost of training for non-Military Services support teams across VCU to address veteran-specific needs.

“It really allows us to make a lot of our dreams come true, in regard to everything that we would like to do for our veterans at VCU,\u201d said William \u201cTres\u201d Morley, director of the Military Student Services Office. \u201cThere are service opportunities that will now be available to us that we previously didn\u2019t have access to because of funding or staffing restrictions. It will help us build a culture of service and support for our students, from their application to enroll at VCU all the way through graduation and into employment.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Military Student Services Office applied for the CEVSS grant, led largely by the Assistant Director Bryan Sandford. The CEVSS program asks grant recipients to \u201cdevelop model programs to support veteran student success in postsecondary education by coordinating services to address the academic, financial, physical and social needs of veteran students.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis grant will allow VCU to strengthen the full continuum of support for veterans and their families, removing barriers, expanding access to critical resources and creating clearer pathways from enrollment to graduation,\u201d Bucheli said. \u201cBy investing in our student veterans, we are also investing in the leadership, talent and experience they will carry forward to strengthen our communities, our workforce and our commonwealth.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This story was originally published on VCU News<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Virginia Commonwealth University has been awarded a $2.3 million federal grant from the Department of Education to support student military veterans.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2255,"featured_media":1765,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[423],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1764","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-military-services"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1764","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2255"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1764"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1764\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1771,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1764\/revisions\/1771"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1765"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1764"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1764"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1764"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":1671,"date":"2026-11-10T09:32:53","date_gmt":"2026-11-10T14:32:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/?p=1671"},"modified":"2026-11-10T09:41:29","modified_gmt":"2026-11-10T14:41:29","slug":"behind-the-black-and-gold-the-office-of-innovation-and-strategic-design","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/2026\/11\/10\/behind-the-black-and-gold-the-office-of-innovation-and-strategic-design\/","title":{"rendered":"Behind the Black and Gold: The Office of Innovation and Strategic Design"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Innovation and Strategic Design at Virginia Commonwealth University is a unique office in the greater VCU ecosystem. The office is dedicated to helping the university investigate what decisions are best for it to make (and much more). Below, Garret Westlake, Ph.D., Vice Provost for Innovation and Strategic Design, discusses his office’s work, present and future projects and much more.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Q&A with Dr. Garret Westlake<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Please introduce yourself and tell us a little about what you do at VCU.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

I’m the product of an interdisciplinary approach to education, having designed my own undergraduate degree in cognitive studies, earned a master’s in special education and a Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction, and spent more than a decade teaching management and entrepreneurship at Arizona State University and VCU. As a professor focused on product innovation, I’m fascinated by how companies and organizations see into the future and design innovations that meet people’s needs. In my role as vice provost for Innovation and Strategic Design<\/a>, I help VCU explore opportunities for impact through innovation, human-centered design and entrepreneurship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>
\n

<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

What are the key ways that the Office of Innovation and Strategic Design helps advance VCU?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Thriving organizations invest in understanding emerging trends, identifying opportunities and developing strategies that shape their future. VCU\u2019s Office of Innovation and Strategic Design advances this work by equipping students, faculty and staff with the tools, mindsets and methods to engage in innovation, entrepreneurship and strategic design. Through experimentation, prototyping and collaboration, we strengthen the university\u2019s capacity to adapt to a rapidly changing world, pursue emerging opportunities and accelerate meaningful impact for the communities we serve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This work takes many forms, such as AI interventions with the VCU Partnership for People with Disabilities<\/a>, connecting the VCU Rice Rivers Center<\/a> with K12 and corporate partners and professional development resources for our Health Sciences students. Across all projects, our goal is to test ideas and learn quickly before making larger investments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can you tell us about your team members?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Similar to a corporate innovation model, our small but agile team envisions, validates and pioneers solutions. Our core team includes administrative support personnel and professionals specializing in project and product management. The team includes leaders of key areas, such as the da Vinci Center for Innovation<\/a>, which focuses on creating entrepreneurship opportunities for students. Our Shift Labs<\/a> leaders facilitate specialized programming across education, health and sustainability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the universe that is VCU, what is it that makes your unit unique?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Large organizations like VCU can have a tremendous impact on the world. However, maintaining agility and information flow across many areas can be challenging. Our superpower is the ability to strategically pivot and move quickly in response to the needs of our partners (e.g., students, faculty or departments). We run experiments to help develop new offerings that can rapidly scale across VCU.We help a large institution balance agility with impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What’s up next for your unit, in both the short and long term?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In our first year, we worked on more than 90 individual projects, many at an early, exploratory stage. What’s next for us is distilling what we learned from those early insights and research into actionable prototypes and experiments that will advance VCU. This includes expanding our Shift Labs, strengthening cross-disciplinary partnerships and translating promising ideas into programs and initiatives that can have a lasting impact. Our vision for the future is that VCU will continue to grow a shared understanding of innovation and entrepreneurship, accelerate collaboration and independence at an innovative level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is there anything else that you would like to add?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It takes a special type of person to lead through ambiguity, shifting priorities and the intricacies of working across disciplines. The team members in our office are an incredible mix of leaders who bring depth and breadth of knowledge across projects and initiatives beyond their own domains of expertise. This team also demonstrates remarkable collaboration, humility and resilience, recognizing that much of our work does not result in a fully finished product \u2014 it informs, shapes and advances the work of others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Black and Gold sidebar: Lloyd Young, executive director of the VCU da Vinci Center for Innovation on creating valuable student experiences<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n
The da Vinci Center for Innovation<\/strong> creates opportunities for students to learn and work together in ways that transcend individual disciplines. Students connect classroom learning with real-world challenges through design thinking workshops, general education courses, vertically integrated projects, innovation sprints with industry partners, micro-internships and entrepreneurship programs like the Shelfie program. These experiences join different backgrounds, perspectives and areas of expertise to develop ideas, solve problems and learn from one another. Our students build skills in creative problem-solving, collaboration and communication, and most importantly, gain confidence to navigate uncertainty and pursue opportunities beyond graduation\"<\/pre>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Innovation and Strategic Design at Virginia Commonwealth University is a unique office in the greater VCU ecosystem. The office is dedicated to helping the university investigate what decisions are best for it to make (and much more). Below, Garret Westlake, Ph.D., Vice Provost for Innovation and Strategic Design, discusses his office’s work, present and future […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2255,"featured_media":1759,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[422,408],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1671","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-behind-the-black-and-gold","category-office-of-innovation-and-strategic-design"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1671","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2255"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1671"}],"version-history":[{"count":57,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1671\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1763,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1671\/revisions\/1763"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1759"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1671"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1671"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1671"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":1664,"date":"2026-10-29T13:58:42","date_gmt":"2026-10-29T17:58:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/?p=1664"},"modified":"2026-10-29T16:00:20","modified_gmt":"2026-10-29T20:00:20","slug":"celebrating-those-who-inspire-illuminating-vcus-faculty-excellence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/2026\/10\/29\/celebrating-those-who-inspire-illuminating-vcus-faculty-excellence\/","title":{"rendered":"Celebrating those who inspire: Illuminating VCU\u2019s faculty excellence\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Virginia Commonwealth University honored its faculty on Oct. 27 at the Jefferson Hotel, celebrating recipients of the Distinguished Faculty Awards<\/a>, National\/International Recognition Awards and Pedagogical Excellence and Innovation Awards<\/a> as well as named Commonwealth Professors<\/a> and faculty who earned promotion and tenure<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This year’s award recipients represented every school and college, reflecting the multidisciplinary impact that VCU\u2019s faculty has across teaching, research, scholarship and service. Their work makes a difference in the classroom, community and around the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cEach day, VCU faculty help our students to do well by doing good,\u201d said Arturo P. Saavedra, M.D.<\/strong>, executive vice president and provost at VCU. \u201cThey are awakeners, guides and motivators who help students discover their potential and find their purpose. These awards recognize the extraordinary researchers and educators whose dedication makes VCU a light for the world.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Meet this year\u2019s Distinguished Faculty Award recipients and learn more about their stories below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
University Award of Excellence<\/a><\/span><\/strong>
Richard Sterling, M.D., School of Medicine<\/p>\n\n\n\n

University Distinguished Scholarship Award<\/a>
<\/span><\/strong>Hermine H. Maes, Ph.D., School of Medicine<\/p>\n\n\n\n

University Distinguished Service Award<\/a>
<\/span><\/strong>Edmund Acevedo, Ph.D., College of Humanities and Sciences<\/p>\n\n\n\n

University Distinguished Teaching Award<\/a>
<\/span><\/strong>Sarah Jane Brubaker, Ph.D., L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs<\/p>\n\n\n\n

University Outstanding Early Career Faculty Award<\/a>
<\/span><\/strong>Chi-Ning Chang, Ph.D., School of Education<\/p>\n\n\n\n

University Outstanding Term Faculty Award<\/a>
<\/span><\/strong>Mary Helen Hackney, M.D., School of Medicine<\/p>\n\n\n\n

University Outstanding Adjunct Faculty Award<\/a>
<\/span><\/strong>Joshua P. Cole, Ph.D., School of Education<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Virginia Commonwealth University honored its faculty on Oct. 27 at the Jefferson Hotel, celebrating recipients of the Distinguished Faculty Awards, National\/International Recognition Awards and Pedagogical Excellence and Innovation Awards as well as named Commonwealth Professors and faculty who earned promotion and tenure. This year’s award recipients represented every school and college, reflecting the multidisciplinary impact […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1874,"featured_media":1666,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1664","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-faculty-affairs"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1664","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1874"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1664"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1664\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1668,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1664\/revisions\/1668"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1666"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1664"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1664"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1664"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":1651,"date":"2026-10-22T12:55:16","date_gmt":"2026-10-22T16:55:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/?p=1651"},"modified":"2026-11-09T11:11:46","modified_gmt":"2026-11-09T16:11:46","slug":"office-of-the-provost-prospectus-newsletter-october","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/2026\/10\/22\/office-of-the-provost-prospectus-newsletter-october\/","title":{"rendered":"Office of the Provost Prospectus Newsletter (October)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Reflecting on a legacy of community engagement<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n
In 2028, VCU will celebrate its 60th anniversary. Established as an urban-serving institution, VCU was intentionally designed to engage with and meet community needs. As we reflect on this mission, our purpose is clear: to amplify impacts and demonstrate value for the public good. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A helpful framework for thinking about our community engagement is to hold partnership, alignment and impact at the front and center. At VCU, we are uniquely positioned to work across disciplines, with intention in the relationships we build and the outcomes we want to sustain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We know that community is an essential, connected part of all that we do. VCU\u2019s success is intimately connected to community well-being and to making a meaningful difference across the region, from urban neighborhoods to rural communities. Our communities are essential partners in learning and research, bringing knowledge, experience, and perspectives that strengthen our work and the impact we can have together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As we do this work, we especially value opportunities to connect with one another. The Connect Community Engagement Conference draws together faculty, staff, students, and community partners to learn from one another and strengthen our partnerships toward greater impact. I invite you to join us on November 13 as we consider how we can \u2014 together \u2014 strengthen community engagement at VCU.

Warm regards,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Maghboeba Mosavel, Ph.D.<\/strong>
Vice Provost, Community Engagement<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Learn more and register for the Connect Conference<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Research and Impacts<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
VCU earns national and global recognition in fall rankings<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In this year\u2019s rankings, VCU is tied for No. 79 among public universities in U.S. News & World Report\u2019s 2027 Best Colleges rankings and placed No. 92 in a new category for best value schools for in-state students. The School of Nursing\u2019s B.S.N. program climbed 13 spots to tie for No. 27 nationally. Globally, the 2026 Academic Ranking of World Universities placed VCU among the top 16 percent of 2,500 institutions evaluated. Read more about VCU\u2019s U.S. News rankings<\/a><\/strong> and the Academic Ranking of World Universities.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Read more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Convergence for the common good \u2013 youth mental health<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The Office of the Provost team sat down with two leading experts at Virginia Commonwealth University to discuss social media and its impact on youth mental health in Virginia. Robert L. Findling, M.D., M.B.A.<\/a><\/strong>, Professor & Department Chair in the VCU School of Medicine<\/a><\/strong>, Psychiatry, and Patrick R. Mullen, Ph.D.<\/a><\/strong>, Professor & Chair, Department of Counseling and Special Education, discussed convergence at VCU and how researchers are teaming up to address this timely and pressing issue.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Learn more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Project AWARE Virginia announces VCU SOE’s $7.2 million federal grant to strengthen student mental health support in three Virginia school divisions<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
VCU\u2019s Partnership for People with Disabilities, part of the School of Education<\/a><\/strong>, received a five-year, $7.2 million Project AWARE grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration<\/a><\/strong> to strengthen student mental health in Amelia, New Kent and Pulaski counties. Led by director and principal investigator Kim Dupre, Ed.D.<\/a><\/strong>, and project manager Kris Herakovich-Curtis, Ed.D.<\/a><\/strong>, the team will map each division\u2019s existing resources, build individualized plans to expand access to behavioral health services, then share an implementation framework and toolkit with school divisions across Virginia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Read more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Division of Student Affairs to host Family Day on October 17<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The Division of Student Affairs is thrilled to welcome our Ramily of students, families, and friends to campus for a day filled with connection, learning, and fun. Family Day at VCU offers countless ways to experience the vibrant spirit of our campus together. This annual tradition is designed to strengthen the bond between families and the VCU community while highlighting the incredible opportunities our students enjoy both on and off campus. We can\u2019t wait to see you again for another exciting day of Ramily pride, discovery and celebration!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Learn more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Garret Westlake, Ph.D, visits Google HQ<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
At a recent visit to Google HQ, Westlake shared a capstone project that he worked on using Google AI tools in partnership with VCU Health Sciences<\/a><\/strong>, including a pilot program with the School of Nursing during fall orientation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Read more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Faculty-focused policy open comment period<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The Faculty Grievance policy is up for open comment through October 16. Faculty are encouraged to review the proposed policy and submit public comments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Interest form<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Transformative Learning Week: Host a Program or Event<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Want to host an event during Transformative Learning Week<\/a><\/strong>? Complete this short form to get started, and we’ll follow up. This will take place Oct. 26-30.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Interest form<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Events<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n
Convergence Caf\u00e9 on the shifting opioid epidemic<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
October 27, 4 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Join researchers, health care providers, program leaders and policy experts for a cross-disciplinary conversation about new opioids, new delivery systems and the future of prevention and recovery. New to the series? Read about the first Convergence Caf\u00e9,<\/a><\/strong> where VCU scholars asked what AI means for our planet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Register here<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Strategic Plan 2032 town halls<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
October 16, 19, 27<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
To further encourage university community engagement, these three in-person sessions will be avenues for shaping VCU’s next strategic plan<\/strong><\/a> by sharing ideas, breakthrough concepts and transformation initiatives. The sign-up form includes a pull-down field that lists the time and location for each 90-minute session.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Register here<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Connecting with Students in the Age of AI: Practical Strategies for Higher Education<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
October 23, 11 a.m.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In this interactive LEDstudio<\/strong><\/a> workshop, participants will explore practical ways to use AI to support student connection in higher education classrooms. Faculty will experiment with simple AI activities that generate questions, simulate student perspectives, and create active learning exercises.  By the end of the workshop, faculty will leave with ready-to-use prompts, classroom activities, and ideas for integrating AI in ways that enhance, rather than replace, human teaching and learning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Register here<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Vertically Integrated Project (VIP) Showcase<\/strong>
\u200b\u200b\u200b\u200b\u200b\u200bOctober 30, 11:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Join us on Friday, October 30th, for the second-annual VIP Showcase. Stop by the Commons Ballroom (VCU Student Commons, 2nd floor) any time between 11:30am – 2pm to meet the students and faculty engaged in Vertically Integrated Projects<\/a><\/strong> (VIPs), learn about their ongoing research and design projects, and find out how to get involved. VIP teams work on projects focused on topics from robotics and machine learning to applied arts and anthropology — and everything in between. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Learn more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Reflecting on a legacy of community engagement In 2028, VCU will celebrate its 60th anniversary. Established as an urban-serving institution, VCU was intentionally designed to engage with and meet community needs. As we reflect on this mission, our purpose is clear: to amplify impacts and demonstrate value for the public good.  A helpful framework for […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1874,"featured_media":1436,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1651","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1651","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1874"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1651"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1651\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1662,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1651\/revisions\/1662"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1436"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1651"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1651"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1651"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":1641,"date":"2026-10-07T11:35:08","date_gmt":"2026-10-07T15:35:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/?p=1641"},"modified":"2026-10-07T11:42:35","modified_gmt":"2026-10-07T15:42:35","slug":"faculty-grievance-policy-updates","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/2026\/10\/07\/faculty-grievance-policy-updates\/","title":{"rendered":"Your Voice Matters: Faculty Grievance Policy Updates"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
VCU is seeking faculty feedback on updates to the Faculty Grievance Policy and Procedures. Please visit the grievance policy survey to submit <\/a>feedback and learn more.

Submitting feedback is a critical part of the revision process, which will help VCU continue to ensure that \u201cfaculty can raise issues of concern, openly discuss them with their leadership without fear of intimidation or retaliation, and achieve timely resolution of issues.\u201d

The deadline to submit responses is Friday, October 16<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
VCU is seeking faculty feedback on updates to our Faculty Grievance Policy and Procedures. Everyone is encouraged to take part in the open comment period, which is currently underway. The deadline to submit responses is October 16.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1874,"featured_media":308,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7,5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1641","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-faculty-affairs","category-provost"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1641","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1874"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1641"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1641\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1645,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1641\/revisions\/1645"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/308"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1641"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1641"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1641"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":1631,"date":"2026-10-06T14:30:54","date_gmt":"2026-10-06T18:30:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/?p=1631"},"modified":"2026-10-07T09:20:15","modified_gmt":"2026-10-07T13:20:15","slug":"convergence-for-the-common-good-youth-mental-health","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/2026\/10\/06\/convergence-for-the-common-good-youth-mental-health\/","title":{"rendered":"Convergence for the common good – youth mental health"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Office of the Provost team sat down with two leading experts at Virginia Commonwealth University to discuss social media and its impact on youth mental health in Virginia. Robert L. Findling, M.D., M.B.A., Professor & Department Chair in the VCU School of Medicine, Psychiatry, and Patrick R. Mullen, Ph.D., Professor & Chair, Department of Counseling and Special Education, discussed convergence at VCU and how researchers are teaming up to address this timely and pressing issue. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Can you briefly discuss the impact that social media platforms can have on children?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Findling: Social media platforms’ impact on youths can be really variable. Both the amount of time spent on social media and the content of those platforms can really matter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mullen: Social media can play a good or bad role in youth mental health. Some youth will find connections with peers who share experiences similar to their own. However, any engagement in social media increases the chances that they will be exposed to inappropriate, violent or hate-based content. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Social media can also adversely affect their well-being. In a 2019 study by Riehm and colleagues<\/a>, youth who spend three hours per day on social media may have a heightened risk for mental health concerns. Social media use may also adversely impact sleep quality and duration<\/a>, which may also contribute to poor mental health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What role do scholars and researchers play in helping address the mental health impact on young people? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Findling: Understanding the impacts and their determinants can matter. And the questions are not simple \u2014 that is why research of methodological rigor can help inform parents and policies. It is essential to recall that association is not the same as causation \u2014 and disentangling the two, particularly with social media, holds the promise of being most informative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mullen: Researchers play a role in understanding the prevalence and impact of social media use and can partner with community members and practitioners in development efforts to intervene and support youth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The rate at which young people engage in social media is increasing. According to a recent Pew Research Center Survey<\/a>, 73 percent of teens go on YouTube daily. The same survey noted that a little less than half the teens surveyed, 46 percent, report being online \u201calmost constantly,\u201d compared with 24 percent reported \u201calmost constant usage\u201d in 2014-2015. Younger age groups are also using social media, with 38 percent of 8- to 12-year-olds having accounts<\/a>. This rate of social media usage may result in addictive behaviors related to social media usage, with teens admitting it would be difficult to give up the habit<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
What are you doing through the Convergence Mental Health initiative to examine the effects of social media on children?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Findling: Convergence Mental Health has initiated a school Mental Health initiative. Its goal is to come up with means to address challenges that can impact children in schools. An interdisciplinary approach that can consider the issue from multiple perspectives can really help disentangle this complicated and important issue. Convergence Mental Health is a framework for fostering this kind of work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mullen: The school-based mental health convergence initiative is in its early stages, but through this work, we can cultivate innovative opportunities, create systems of support and prepare current and future mental health professionals to address the negative effects of social media on youth. We are bringing together<\/a> experts from diverse disciplines alongside practitioners to cultivate new ideas and approaches to support students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How can a transdisciplinary approach help solve problems like this? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Findling: Transdisciplinary approaches are really the best way to go. Mental Health is a \u201cteam sport,\u201d and bringing different perspectives and approaches to complex problems holds the promise of innovative solutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mullen: Youth mental health, in general, is a \u201cwicked problem\u201d of our time. It\u2019s a problem that takes assembling scholars from diverse fields, paired with mental health practitioners, families, and youth themselves, to move toward a solution. We can approach social media use among youth through diverse professional lenses that integrate counseling with public health, social work, and family systems, and, in doing so, help examine the issue and ways to address it through a transdisciplinary focus. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
What responsibility do universities such as VCU have in helping address such a large societal problem? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mullen: Across our campus, we have leading scholars in their respective mental health fields, as well as highly touted training programs and responsive community engagement initiatives. Taken together, we are well-positioned to serve as an incubator for challenges like this one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\"Robert<\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The Office of the Provost team sat down with two leading experts at Virginia Commonwealth University to discuss social media and its impact on youth mental health in Virginia. Robert L. Findling, M.D., M.B.A., Professor & Department Chair in the VCU School of Medicine, Psychiatry, and Patrick R. Mullen, Ph.D., Professor & Chair, Department of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2255,"featured_media":1632,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[346],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1631","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-convergence"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1631","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2255"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1631"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1631\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1640,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1631\/revisions\/1640"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1632"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1631"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1631"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1631"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":1628,"date":"2026-10-06T11:48:45","date_gmt":"2026-10-06T15:48:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/?p=1628"},"modified":"2026-10-21T15:21:40","modified_gmt":"2026-10-21T19:21:40","slug":"at-the-first-convergence-cafe-vcu-scholars-ask-what-ai-means-for-our-planet","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/2026\/10\/06\/at-the-first-convergence-cafe-vcu-scholars-ask-what-ai-means-for-our-planet\/","title":{"rendered":"At the first Convergence Cafe, VCU scholars ask what AI means for our planet"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Can we tap into the power of AI without Earth paying the price?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Artificial intelligence can help scientists make sense of massive datasets, drive new innovations and predict how ecosystems will change. Yet its benefits are heavily dependent on data centers that rely on local water and power resources, affecting the environment and public perception. These topics anchored the dialogue  the first Convergence Cafe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hosted by the VCU Office of Convergence Initiatives<\/strong><\/a>, a transdisciplinary collaboration connector across VCU. The event drew together faculty, staff, and researchers for an informal conversation about AI, the environment, and their intersections. Panelists included Chris Gough, Ph.D.<\/strong><\/a> <\/strong>executive director, VCU Rice Rivers Center, Preetam Ghosh, Ph.D.<\/strong><\/a>, professor of computer science and James Fritz, Ph.D.<\/strong><\/a> associate professor of philosophy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The conversation shifted from promise to tradeoffs. Panelists spoke candidly about the limits of technology, including AI hallucination, citations to nonexistent studies, and generated images filled with errors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Much of the discussion orbited the skyrocketing costs of AI. As data centers use increasingly enormous amounts of water and power, the communities they occupy\u00a0feel those effects. They explored how much strain a community’s water supply or the grid can handle before it’s too much.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The group also drew comparisons to climate change, with unknown tipping points and the lack of incentive to slow down on their own. Meaningful limits, some suggested, will likely take coordinated, global action. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Other participants voiced concerns on AI governance and AI regulations, citing little transparency about where the technology is headed and whether it can be controlled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Questions like these deserve the combined expertise of people from many fields. Stepping outside our individual silos, which can be hard to avoid, opens up perspectives that are critical to finding solutions. VCU\u2019s Office of Convergence Initiatives aspires to do just that by connecting for the common good.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
 Interested in joining the next cafe? Join the VCU Office of Convergence Initiatives on Tuesday, Oct. 27, from 4 to 5:30 p.m., as they ask “What does it take to stay ahead of the opioid epidemic?” <\/strong>Learn more.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Can we tap into the power of AI without Earth paying the price? Artificial intelligence can help scientists make sense of massive datasets, drive new innovations and predict how ecosystems will change. Yet its benefits are heavily dependent on data centers that rely on local water and power resources, affecting the environment and public perception. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2240,"featured_media":1637,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[346],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1628","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-convergence"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1628","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2240"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1628"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1628\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1650,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1628\/revisions\/1650"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1637"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1628"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1628"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1628"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":1621,"date":"2026-10-02T15:24:15","date_gmt":"2026-10-02T19:24:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/?p=1621"},"modified":"2026-10-08T10:08:25","modified_gmt":"2026-10-08T14:08:25","slug":"two-vcu-students-honored-by-the-colonial-heights-city-council-for-internship-contributions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/2026\/10\/02\/two-vcu-students-honored-by-the-colonial-heights-city-council-for-internship-contributions\/","title":{"rendered":"Two VCU students honored by the Colonial Heights City Council for internship contributions"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Through collaboration with multiple VCU units and the City of Colonial Heights, two VCU students left their mark while gaining real-world experience, college credit, and a paid internship.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
VCU undergraduate students Patrice Mazyck<\/strong> and Camila Ballesteros<\/strong> spent the summer interning with the City of Colonial Heights.<\/strong> They made impactful contributions by supporting the city’s HR department, as well as opioid outreach and harm reduction education. At a recent council meeting, both students were recognized by city leaders for their contributions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Their internship experience is brought together by VCU and state partners. TRIO Student Support Services<\/a>, a federally funded program serving first-generation and income-eligible students as well as students with disabilities, the newly formed Academic Internships Office<\/a> and Virginia Career Works \u2013 Crater Region<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Connecting first-generation students with work-based learning opportunities in the community ensures that both the participating students and current employers and business partners get a real view of what the future workforce will look like,” said Tabitha Taylor<\/strong>, executive director of the Crater Regional Workforce Development Board.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For many students, choosing between a paid job and an unpaid internship is a real barrier. This model removes that choice. Students are paid for their work and earn academic credit for it at the same time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“For us, it is not simply about placing students in internships; it is about creating pathways that make those opportunities more accessible,” said Kameo Parks<\/strong>, VCU academic internship site development specialist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The summer pilot is the first step in a larger partnership. This fall, at least ten TRIO SSS and Richmond Talent Pathways students will take part in paid, credit-bearing internships at sites across the Richmond region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“We are thrilled to see the meaningful learning and skill development that students experienced through their internship settings this summer and are excited to expand the program this fall to more students.” <\/em><\/strong>
<\/em><\/strong>\u2013 Cameron Carter, VCU Academic Internships Office director<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
To learn more about credit-bearing internships at VCU, visit the Academic Internships Office<\/a>. Students interested in TRIO support can learn more at trio.vcu.edu<\/a>.
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Through collaboration with multiple VCU units and the City of Colonial Heights, two VCU students left their mark while gaining real-world experience, college credit, and a paid internship. VCU undergraduate students Patrice Mazyck and Camila Ballesteros spent the summer interning with the City of Colonial Heights. They made impactful contributions by supporting the city’s HR […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2240,"featured_media":1622,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8,16],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1621","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-academic-affairs","category-student-success"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1621","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2240"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1621"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1621\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1648,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1621\/revisions\/1648"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1622"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1621"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1621"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1621"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":1575,"date":"2026-09-24T11:20:06","date_gmt":"2026-09-24T15:20:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/?p=1575"},"modified":"2026-09-24T11:32:18","modified_gmt":"2026-09-24T15:32:18","slug":"office-of-the-provost-prospectus-newsletter-september-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/2026\/09\/24\/office-of-the-provost-prospectus-newsletter-september-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Office of the Provost Prospectus Newsletter (September 2026)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Convergence for the common good<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
There is something uniquely powerful about a university: artists and engineers, scientists and philosophers, physicians and economists working just a few streets apart. Each brings different ways of seeing the world and imagining what comes next. VCU Convergence is about creating more opportunities for those perspectives to come together, ask new questions and turn shared curiosity into action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At its heart, VCU Convergence is also about taking on the \u201cwicked problems\u201d that resist easy answers. Challenges like mental health, neurodegeneration and the responsible use of AI are interconnected and constantly evolving; progress in one area can reveal new challenges in another. No single discipline can address that complexity alone. Convergence brings together different forms of expertise \u2014 including community members \u2014 to better understand these problems, adapt as they change and build solutions that reflect the full complexity of the world around us. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
We\u2019ve recently awarded 15 planning grants<\/strong><\/a> <\/strong>connecting 70 faculty members across disciplines. And we are just getting started. Our new VCU Convergence website highlights the work underway, the people making it possible and new opportunities to get involved as we continue building what comes next.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sincerely,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Daniel Gutierrez, Ph.D., LPC, CSAC<\/strong>
<\/strong>Assistant Vice Provost, Office for University Convergence Initiatives<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Explore the new VCU Convergence website<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Research and impacts<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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VIDEO: Life Design at VCU<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
VCU\u2019s Life Design program encourages students to explore their interests, experiment and learn along the way. In this video, undergraduate Emma Miskelly shares her journey of discovering how to turn her love of music into action as an artist. It\u2019s a great example of how curiosity, trial and error and deep dives can lead somewhere meaningful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Watch>><\/strong><\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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VCU Strategic Plan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
VCU has introduced Uncommon Future, its new strategic plan through 2032, centered on graduating “Uncommon Heroes” by revolutionizing the student experience and igniting discovery. President Michael Rao is calling on the community to help shape the plan by sharing bold ideas and identifying barriers to its goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Learn more>><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

VCU honors seven with 2026 Distinguished Faculty Awards<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Seven faculty members were recognized for excellence in teaching, scholarship and service at this year’s Distinguished Faculty Awards<\/strong>, one of the university’s highest honors for its educators and researchers.

Learn more>><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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VCU Convergence awards nearly 70 faculty members $150,000 in seed grants<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
15 transdisciplinary faculty teams received seed funding for projects that bring different perspectives together to tackle complex \u2018wicked problems\u2019 that no single discipline can solve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Learn more>><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Faculty Fellows Program brings together educators and administrators<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Now in its ninth year, the Office of the Provost’s Faculty Fellows Program<\/strong> has produced more than 35 fellows, giving faculty part-time administrative experience alongside their teaching load and a direct line into university-wide initiatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Read more>><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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VCUarts Dean Carmenita Higginbotham to step down<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Carmenita Higginbotham, Ph.D<\/strong>., will step down as dean of the School of the Arts at the end of the academic year, capping a tenure that saw VCUarts rise to No. 2 nationally and secure funding for the CoStar Center for Arts and Innovation. Executive Vice President and Provost Arturo Saavedra said Higginbotham “has established transformative initiatives that will positively impact this university for many years to come.” A national search for her successor will launch this year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Read more>><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Weeks of Welcome 2026: Early Assessment Highlights<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Student Affairs<\/strong> shares early data and highlights from this year’s Weeks of Welcome, offering a first look at how the fall kickoff programming landed with students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Learn more>><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Nearly 50 VCU faculty honored for their research and teaching<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Nearly 50 faculty members were recognized through the NIRA and PEIA<\/strong> awards, celebrating research impact and teaching excellence across the university.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Learn more>><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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VCU’s Daniel Gutierrez receives $3 million grant to train mental health professionals worldwide on spiritually competent care<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Gutierrez will use the funding to train mental health professionals worldwide in spiritually competent care, expanding a research focus he has built over the years at VCU.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Learn more>><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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VCU Global Education Offices partners with the Universidad Esp\u00edritu Santo (UEES), Ecuador<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The two universities are working on a \u201c2+2\u201d agreement with the VCU School of Business<\/strong>, which will allow students to study for two years at UEES, and then two years at VCU for their bachelor’s program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Learn more>><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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New Saxbys Cafe Blends Lattes with Learning<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
VCU’s new Saxbys cafe in Snead Hall is more than a coffee stop. Located in the School of Business, the student-run location gives students hands-on experience managing a cafe from the ground up, hiring their own team and building real-world business skills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Read more>><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Open Science Framework to end Open Data repository service<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
VCU Libraries <\/strong>flags an upcoming change: the Open Science Framework is discontinuing its Open Data repository service. Researchers using OSF for data storage should take note.

Learn more>><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Call for applications: Faculty Learning Community “Reimagining the Classroom with Service-Learning”<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
VCU Libraries <\/strong>flags an upcoming change: the Open Science Framework is discontinuing its Open Data repository service. Researchers using OSF for data storage should take note.

Learn more>><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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How VCU and the community work together to bring about positive change<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Community engagement is core to VCU’s mission. This story spotlights the Division of Community Engagement’s<\/strong> Health Hub<\/strong> and Mary and Frances Youth Center<\/strong>, along with partnerships across Richmond and Petersburg that earned VCU a 2026 Carnegie Community Engagement Classification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Learn more>><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Join VCU LINK<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n
VCU LINK<\/strong> connects faculty, staff and students with campus resources, opportunities and services in one central hub. Faculty and staff can help grow this resource in two ways: encourage your students to create a VCU Link profile and connect with alumni in their field of interest, and consider joining the platform yourself as a mentor for students navigating their career paths. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Learn more>><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Events<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
2026 Associate Professor Conference<\/strong>
<\/strong><\/a>Friday, September 18, 2026 | 8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Undergraduate Education Course (Re)Design Workshop & Expo\u00a0<\/strong><\/a>
Friday, October 9, 2026 | 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
National Conflict Resolution Day 2026<\/strong>
<\/strong><\/a>Thursday, October 15, | 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Transformative Learning Week: Host a Program or Event<\/strong><\/a>
October 26\u201330, 2026<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Convergence for the common good There is something uniquely powerful about a university: artists and engineers, scientists and philosophers, physicians and economists working just a few streets apart. Each brings different ways of seeing the world and imagining what comes next. VCU Convergence is about creating more opportunities for those perspectives to come together, ask […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1874,"featured_media":1460,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[373],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1575","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-newsletter"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1575","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1874"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1575"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1575\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1619,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1575\/revisions\/1619"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1460"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1575"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1575"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1575"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}]