[{"id":1449,"date":"2026-07-28T10:28:35","date_gmt":"2026-07-28T14:28:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/?p=1449"},"modified":"2026-07-23T10:55:26","modified_gmt":"2026-07-23T14:55:26","slug":"office-of-the-provost-prospectus-newsletter-july-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/2026\/07\/28\/office-of-the-provost-prospectus-newsletter-july-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Office of the Provost Prospectus Newsletter (July 2026)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The two sides of campus change: Threat or opportunity?<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

In higher education, change is inevitable. Whether it be a new institutional strategy, the shifting of academic technologies or ever-evolving student expectations, tides of change can frequently lead to a natural feeling of discomfort. But hidden behind the challenges of change is a very real opportunity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The saying that “you can’t change the direction of the wind, but you can always adjust your sails” rings true for times like these in higher education. And we generally have two paths to choose from:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. Resisting change by focusing on what we are shifting away from and letting discomfort drive our narrative.
    <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Embracing change by adjusting our sails, staying flexible and leaning into the discomfort.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    In short, we have the opportunity to treat change as an institutional experiment, rather than a threat to our routines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    This doesn’t mean that we should ignore the discomfort. Simply, we must work within these challenges to navigate the transition with intellectual and operational flexibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    And you don’t have to navigate change alone. VCU offers a robust set of resources that are specifically designed to support employees, managers and teams through periods of organizational change, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The VCU Learning Development and Organizational Culture Team (LDOC) offers specialized professional development courses, including Addressing Barriers to Change (ABC) Facilitation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The RamStrong Hub and Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offer confidential counseling and resources to better cope with change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    During periods of change and transition, it’s important to maintain open lines of communication and to lean on peer-to-peer support. By doing so, we can solve problems collaboratively and foster a shared sense of resilience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    VCU was built on a foundation of change, growth and innovation. And as we navigate change together, we ensure the university continues to best serve our students, faculty, staff and communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Warm regards,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    William C. Nelson Senior Vice Provost for Academic Administration and Operations<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Research and impacts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
    \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Why VCU Convergence is built to take on neurodegeneration: Q&A with Faika Zanjani<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    As Alzheimer’s cases climb, VCU Convergence is uniting researchers, clinicians and community partners to change how brain health is studied and treated. A Q&A with faculty lead Faika Zanjani, Ph.D.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    “The cell-to-community approaches already happening here at VCU give us confidence and optimism that the next breakthrough is developing right here in Richmond.” Faika Zanjani, Ph.D., VCU Convergence neurodegeneration theme faculty lead and associate dean for research, VCU College of Health Professions<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
    Q&A with Faika Zanjani<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
    \n\n\n\n
    \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Behind the black and gold: The teams helping VCU succeed: IRDS<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Get to know Institutional Research and Decision Support, the team turning VCU’s data into insight that guides strategic decision making across campus. The Office of the Provost sat down with Michael Bourgeois for a Q&A on the work behind the numbers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Learn more about IRDS<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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    Cheerful young black woman wearing glasses, using a laptop in a bright office setting. She radiates positivity and focus, surrounded by modern interior elements reflecting a professional environment.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    New online graduate certificate: Applied Artificial Intelligence<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    VCU Online’s new Applied AI Graduate Certificate helps professionals build practical, in-demand skills for an AI-driven workplace. This fully online program focuses on evaluating AI tools, applying them strategically and navigating the ethical calls that come with them. Fall applications are open through Aug. 7.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Explore the Applied AI certificate<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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    VCU community connected: Reacquiring the soul of Jackson Ward<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    A home renovation uncovered 230,000 documents from civil rights icon Roland “Duke” Ealey, sparking The Ealey Project and a partnership with VCU’s Division of Community Engagement. The Office of the Provost sat down with founder Jim Vigeant to talk preservation and Jackson Ward’s soul.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
    VCU community connected<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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    \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Academic Internships Office: Host an internship<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    The Academic Internships Office invites VCU units to create credit-bearing internships. Explore takeaways from a recent workshop and get involved in designing your internship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    “For career readiness, internships are a fundamental and transformative part of the undergraduate student experience.” Cameron Carter, director of academic internships<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
    Learn more about academic internships<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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    \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Hernan Bucheli named interim leader for VCU Global Education Office<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Hernan Bucheli, Ed.D., steps in as interim leader for the Global Education Office<\/a> while continuing to lead enrollment and student success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    “As VCU’s international footprint continues to grow, strategically aligning our enrollment and global education efforts will help build a seamless pathway between international student discovery and long-term academic success.” Art Saavedra, M.D., Ph.D.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
    Learn more<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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    Cleanroom Training: Students get hands-on experience in VCU’s state-of-the-art lab<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    This summer, students had the unique opportunity to work in an active cleanroom at the Virginia Microelectronics Center (VMC) in the VCU College of Engineering. The Cleanroom Training Program provides participants with a hands-on, skills-based understanding of research laboratory operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
    Read more about cleanroom training<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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    \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Design Thinking and Life Design<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Representing VCU, Lloyd Young and Mary-Chris Escobar joined a national Life Design Convening at Bowling Green State University, sharing their work in design thinking, interdisciplinary studies and student success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    “Life Design gives students permission to approach their future with curiosity, creativity, and self-reflection rather than pressure to have everything figured out.” Mary-Chris Escobar, associate dean for student success and life design<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n\n\n\n
    \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    VCU representation at GCEC Conference<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Lloyd Young, executive director of the VCU da Vinci Center for Innovation, will present the center’s innovation and entrepreneurship model at the 2026 Global Consortium of Entrepreneurship Centers (GCEC) in Sao Paulo, Brazil.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    The two sides of campus change: Threat or opportunity? In higher education, change is inevitable. Whether it be a new institutional strategy, the shifting of academic technologies or ever-evolving student expectations, tides of change can frequently lead to a natural feeling of discomfort. But hidden behind the challenges of change is a very real opportunity. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2240,"featured_media":1460,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1449","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\/1449","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=1449"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1449\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1465,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1449\/revisions\/1465"}],"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=1449"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1449"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1449"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":1434,"date":"2026-07-23T10:18:39","date_gmt":"2026-07-23T14:18:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/?p=1434"},"modified":"2026-07-23T10:19:19","modified_gmt":"2026-07-23T14:19:19","slug":"office-of-the-provost-prospectus-newsletter-june-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/2026\/07\/23\/office-of-the-provost-prospectus-newsletter-june-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Office of the Provost Prospectus Newsletter (June 2026)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

    Strengthening community through partnership<\/h1>\n\n\n\n
    \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    As we move into the summer months, I want to thank our faculty for the thoughtful feedback during the recent open comment period. Your input is vital to meaningful policy development, ensuring our work reflects the realities of academic life and the principles of shared governance. We further acknowledge the need for early community engagement in the policy process and are committed to improving the process moving forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Last year, we piloted the Faculty Mentoring Program<\/a> to support faculty connection, professional growth and long-term success across career stages. We encourage faculty to explore the program and participate as mentors or mentees as we advance a culture of support and community across VCU.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    In commitment to workplace excellence, we continue to reflect on insights from the 2025 COACHE Faculty Survey<\/a>. In the months ahead, we will partner with faculty champions to help prioritize key findings and identify areas where university-level action will have the greatest impact on faculty experiences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Sincerely,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Kathleen M. Rudasill, Ph.D. Senior Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
    Explore the COACHE survey findings<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

    Research and impacts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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    From operating room to innovation sprint: VCU Convergence Neuroscience and da Vinci Center drive collaboration<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    What happens when surgeons, designers, engineers and entrepreneurs tackle the same problem? At VCU’s inaugural Neuroscience Design Jam, innovators across these fields worked side by side to transform real-world clinical challenges into innovative medical device concepts with the potential to improve patient care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Hosted by the VCU da Vinci Center for Innovation<\/a>, in collaboration with VCU Convergence<\/a> Neuroscience and VCU TechTransfer<\/a>, the event gave a firsthand look at how ideas move from the operating room to prototypes, patents and potentially the marketplace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
    Neuroscience Design Jam<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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    \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    VCUarts students’ mural partnership with CoStar Group<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Across towering LED displays inside the lobby of the new CoStar Group Riverfront Headquarters, artwork created by students from VCUarts is transforming digital illustration and animation into immersive public art experiences. For students, the experience offered more than a portfolio project. It provides an opportunity to see their work presented at scale while navigating the collaborative realities of professional creative production.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    “Virtual Murals was a unique opportunity to apply four years of artistic and technical experience toward a professional project. Collaborating with real clients at CoStar Group and with Professor Sterling Hundley was such a privilege,” said Sam Anderson, senior.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
    Murals that captivate<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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    \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    VCU faculty member’s research aims to help companies operate responsibly<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    What responsibility do companies have to the communities they serve? For Baobao Song, Ph.D., the answer is deeply personal. Inspired by a family tragedy linked to unsafe consumer products, Song has built an internationally recognized research program focused on corporate social responsibility and how organizations can better serve people, communities and the public good.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Song’s scholarship is helping shape conversations around ethical business practices, stakeholder trust and social impact. Discover how her work is advancing public relations research while encouraging organizations to think beyond the bottom line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Innovating corporate responsibility<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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    VCU Convergence strategizes the future of neurodegeneration science<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Key breakthroughs in treating Alzheimer’s, dementia and other neurodegenerative diseases will come not from a single lab, but from experts working across disciplines. Through VCU Convergence, researchers, clinicians and faculty from across the university are joining forces to tackle one of the most complex health challenges of our time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The effort brings together expertise from medicine, nursing, pharmacy and the health professions to lay the groundwork for a major research initiative focused on brain health and neurodegeneration. Learn how this collaborative approach is positioning VCU to advance discovery, improve care and support individuals and families affected by these devastating conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    “The time is now for us to collectively build on the immense progress of our neurodegeneration scientists, VCU Richmond Brain Health Initiative and VCU Health Guide program to continue to innovate and support individuals and families managing brain health and dementia locally and nationally.” Faika Zanjani, Ph.D.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
    Driven by convergence<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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    VCU Excellence in Community Engagement Awards<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Each year, the VCU Division of Community Engagement recognizes changemakers who dedicate themselves to collaboration and service that stretches beyond campuses. These honorees were nominated by colleagues and community partners in recognition of the depth and impact of their work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Excellence in Community Engaged Research Award Katherine Y. Tossas<\/a>, Ph.D., VCU School of Public Health<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Excellence in Community Engaged Teaching Award Emily Smith, M.F.A<\/a>., VCU School of the Arts, Department of Interior Design<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Excellence in Community Engagement Award, Faculty or Staff Emily Zimmerman, Ph.D.<\/a>, VCU School of Public Health<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Excellence in Community Engagement Award, Student, Fellow or Postdoctoral Fellow Nina Dashti-Gibson, M.D. and Ph.D. candidate<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
    Celebrating community excellence<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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    The legacy of Inger Rice, VCU Rice Rivers Center benefactress<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    What began as a gift of land became a living legacy for generations of students and researchers. Philanthropist Inger Rice, whose vision and generosity helped establish the VCU Rice Rivers Center<\/a> along the James River, passed away at age 96, leaving an enduring mark on the university, the environment and the Richmond community. From advancing life sciences education to creating a place where students can learn from nature firsthand, Rice’s impact continues to shape research, conservation and discovery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    “She was especially eager to hear how the center was engaging students, understanding instinctively that no modern technology can replicate the wonder and complexity of a living laboratory,” said Chris Gough, Ph.D., executive director of the VCU Rice Rivers Center.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
    A vision for life sciences<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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    VCUarts researchers’ 3D scanning system on display at Cabell Library<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    A stream of students, faculty and staff gathered inside The Workshop at the James Branch Cabell Library for an open house, where emerging 3D scanning technologies, from LiDAR to motion capture, were on display.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    At the center of it all was Box Stage 2, a portable 3D imaging system designed to capture highly detailed surface scans at a fraction of the cost or complexity of traditional Hollywood-grade “light stage” systems. The system was developed by Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts researcher Ernesto Rodriguez Cruz. Box Stage will be available for students and the broader VCU community to test through the summer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
    3D imaging tech<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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    Share your VCU pride from around the globe<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Rams are all over the world. As we commence a new academic year, the VCU Social Media Team is collecting photos and videos of the VCU community’s travels abroad. Share your globetrotting black and gold pride by Friday, June 12, to be featured in a special video.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
    Submit your photos<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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

    <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Strengthening community through partnership As we move into the summer months, I want to thank our faculty for the thoughtful feedback during the recent open comment period. Your input is vital to meaningful policy development, ensuring our work reflects the realities of academic life and the principles of shared governance. We further acknowledge the need […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2240,"featured_media":1436,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[373],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1434","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\/1434","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=1434"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1434\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1447,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1434\/revisions\/1447"}],"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=1434"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1434"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1434"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":1431,"date":"2026-07-15T11:49:43","date_gmt":"2026-07-15T15:49:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/?p=1431"},"modified":"2026-07-15T11:49:45","modified_gmt":"2026-07-15T15:49:45","slug":"four-vcu-students-and-recent-alums-earn-prestigious-nsf-graduate-research-fellowships-for-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/provost\/2026\/07\/15\/four-vcu-students-and-recent-alums-earn-prestigious-nsf-graduate-research-fellowships-for-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Four VCU students and recent alums earn prestigious NSF Graduate Research Fellowships for 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

    One Virginia Commonwealth University student and three recent alums have been selected for the 2026\u00a0National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program<\/a>, a prestigious national initiative that helps graduate students advance their studies in STEM-based disciplines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The five-year fellowship provides three years of financial support, including an annual stipend of $37,000 and a cost-of-education allowance of $16,000 to the institution. Fellows must be pursuing a master\u2019s or doctoral degree at an accredited institution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \u201cThe success of these three remarkable alums and one current student underscores VCU\u2019s national and international research prominence as a top 20% global university,\u201d said Arturo P. Saavedra, M.D., Ph.D., executive vice president and provost. \u201cUnderscoring our deep institutional commitment to supporting undergraduate and graduate student research through world-class mentorship and hands-on experiences, VCU is training the next generation of researchers who will solve tomorrow\u2019s most complex challenges. Here at VCU, every Ram\u2019s a researcher, and this recognition shows our students are competing at the highest levels of American science.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The current VCU student honored as an NSF Graduate Research Fellow for 2026 is:<\/p>\n\n\n\n