https://news.vcu.edu News articles about VCU en-US Copyright 2026 Thu, 16 Apr 2026 10:32:31 GMT Hilovsky has been pursuing two doctoral degrees in the College of Health Professions, and her aquatic therapy project already has had real-world impact. https://news.vcu.edu/article/class-of-2026-sydney-hilovsky-takes-occupational-therapy-to-the-pool-for-children-with-autism https://news.vcu.edu/article/class-of-2026-sydney-hilovsky-takes-occupational-therapy-to-the-pool-for-children-with-autism https://news.vcu.edu/image/64aa0a80-f0a6-4304-9ae0-8116f9fb39bb Wed, 15 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT Sydney Hilovsky said she is drawn to working with patients who are enduring challenging circumstances. “I truly enjoy helping them get back to their life,” she said. (Contributed image) A photo of a woman from the shoulders up. The dual-admissions program, which now includes three college partners, provides transfer students with personalized support, cost savings and a clear route to a VCU degree. https://news.vcu.edu/article/next-step-vcu-expands-to-richard-bland-college-and-brightpoint-community-college https://news.vcu.edu/article/next-step-vcu-expands-to-richard-bland-college-and-brightpoint-community-college https://news.vcu.edu/image/faf6438f-e611-40e6-af24-66232f75fcca Wed, 15 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT VCU President Michael Rao, Ph.D., speaks at an event marking the expansion of the NEXT Step VCU program on the Brightpoint Community College campus in Midlothian on April 14. (Allen Jones, Enterprise Marketing and Communications) A man in a coat and tie gestures while speaking at a lectern into a microphone. Kunz, an author of two books whose work has appeared in The New Yorker and The Atlantic, is pursuing a new project exploring his time in a medieval anachronist organization. https://news.vcu.edu/article/vcu-poet-edgar-kunz-named-a-guggenheim-fellow https://news.vcu.edu/article/vcu-poet-edgar-kunz-named-a-guggenheim-fellow https://news.vcu.edu/image/fc770dba-c5ba-40bc-8ec3-005f17f179ac Wed, 15 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT VCU poet and assistant professor Edgar Kunz is the author of two books, with a new project in the works. (Photo by Ariana Mygatt) A photo of a man from the shoulders up. With two VCU degrees – including her new master’s from the School of Education – she will bring her classroom passion to new generations. https://news.vcu.edu/article/class-of-2026-as-an-earth-science-teacher-linda-le-carries-forward-the-spirit-of-curiosity https://news.vcu.edu/article/class-of-2026-as-an-earth-science-teacher-linda-le-carries-forward-the-spirit-of-curiosity https://news.vcu.edu/image/206b8123-ba12-472e-94cf-469c5d1482e6 Tue, 14 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT Linda Le said, “Being at VCU has helped me develop not only as a student but also as a future educator who values inclusion and cultural awareness.” (Contributed image) A photo of a woman wearing a graduation gown. Alongside professor Karla Mossi, Ph.D., and VCU TechTransfer and Ventures, Advaith and Jayasimha Atulasimha have taken steps to bring the location-tracking footwear to market. https://news.vcu.edu/article/electricity-generating-shoes https://news.vcu.edu/article/electricity-generating-shoes https://news.vcu.edu/image/eeafc4d0-0871-43c7-8895-81b752378d09 Tue, 14 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT Middle school student Advaith Atulasimha and his father, engineering professor Jayasimha Atulasimha, Ph.D., have invented a shoe that generates electricity as its wearer walks. (Dean Hoffmeyer, Enterprise Marketing and Communications) A photo of a teenage boy holding a shoe with a wire on it. Tomika Ferguson of the School of Education earned the capstone award of the program, which recognizes contributions among students, faculty and staff that support cross-cultural relations and a welcoming environment. https://news.vcu.edu/article/pacme-honorees-are-committed-to-the-success-of-the-vcu-community https://news.vcu.edu/article/pacme-honorees-are-committed-to-the-success-of-the-vcu-community https://news.vcu.edu/image/2d5c23c9-2df2-4e32-85dc-6f323f14672a Tue, 14 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT Tomika Ferguson, associate dean of student affairs and community engagement in the School of Education; Cristina Stanciu, director of the Humanities Research Center; Ashley Shoell-Gonzalez, program service coordinator for the Ryan White Program; John Jones, assistant professor in the School of Life Sciences and Sustainability; VCU President Michael Rao; Aarushi Khanna, a student in the School of Nursing; and Christopher Brooks, professor in the School of World Studies, at this week’s PACME ceremony. (Skip Rowland) A group photo of seven people The senior has excelled in pursuit of degrees in the School of the Arts and the College of Engineering. https://news.vcu.edu/article/class-of-2026-kel-raphael-finds-harmony-at-both-piano-and-computer-keyboards https://news.vcu.edu/article/class-of-2026-kel-raphael-finds-harmony-at-both-piano-and-computer-keyboards https://news.vcu.edu/image/6e577837-7f36-4f07-b4bc-e79a0e979b25 Mon, 13 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT Kel Raphael, here at the piano in the Honors College lounge, has embraced the opportunity to pursue very different academic interests at VCU. (Dean Hoffmeyer, Enterprise Marketing and Communications) A photo of a man standing in front of a piano. Researchers from the schools will share the use of the state’s only university-based Illumina NovaSeq X Plus, ensuring they are at the forefront of genomic discovery in areas ranging from precision medicine to agricultural resilience. https://news.vcu.edu/article/vcu-and-virginia-tech-launch-historic-partnership-high-throughput-sequencing-system-to-researchers https://news.vcu.edu/article/vcu-and-virginia-tech-launch-historic-partnership-high-throughput-sequencing-system-to-researchers https://news.vcu.edu/image/a3612bcc-1af2-448f-91c6-ad5cecf37913 Mon, 13 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT Srirama Rao, Ph.D., VCU's vice president for research and innovation, and Dan Sui, Ph.D., Virginia Tech's senior vice president and chief research and innovation officer, spoke about a new partnership between their universities at a ribbon-cutting ceremony on April 2 at VCU’s McGlothlin Medical Education Center. (Dean Hoffmeyer, Enterprise Marketing and Communications) A photo of two men shaking hands and smiling. The College of Engineering student joined a School of Pharmacy faculty expert in taking AI from ‘Bench to Bedside.’ https://news.vcu.edu/article/class-of-2026-joseph-lin-brings-computing-power-to-cancer-research https://news.vcu.edu/article/class-of-2026-joseph-lin-brings-computing-power-to-cancer-research https://news.vcu.edu/image/3a55deb0-daf8-4ab7-a755-13bca0541729 Fri, 10 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT Joseph Lin, a computer science major, said his experience at VCU has taught him “to be rooted in curiosity and to learn by asking more questions.” (Dean Hoffmeyer, Enterprise Marketing and Communications) A photo of a man with his arms crossed against his chest. Rao highlighted VCU’s research growth and some notable faculty contributions while championing the university’s bold new goal to reach $1 billion in sponsored research funding. https://news.vcu.edu/article/vcu-aims-to-be-an-international-hub-for-research-vp-rao-says-in-annual-address https://news.vcu.edu/article/vcu-aims-to-be-an-international-hub-for-research-vp-rao-says-in-annual-address https://news.vcu.edu/image/def2b444-ce14-4683-8ea4-a2653ccc6516 Fri, 10 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT P. Srirama Rao, Ph.D., vice president for research and innovation, emphasized the far-reaching impact of VCU’s research during his annual address this week. (Jonathan Haff, Enterprise Marketing and Communications) A photo of a man standing behind a podium and speaking. Behind the man is a screen that says "2026 VCU STATE OF THE RESEARCH." From tenures at Wilton House, DAR Museum and North Carolina’s Old Salem – and from scholarship on Black artisans – William Strollo wins the History Graduate Alumni Achievement Award. https://news.vcu.edu/article/vcu-history-alum-honored-for-museum-curation-and-more https://news.vcu.edu/article/vcu-history-alum-honored-for-museum-curation-and-more https://news.vcu.edu/image/47eba205-8574-4b8d-9df8-d53c2fd05f72 Fri, 10 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT William Strollo studies the inside of an 18th-century corner cupboard made in Salem, North Carolina. (Contributed image) A photo of a man kneeling next to an old cupboard. The Ph.D. student and former musician got a late start in higher education, but even a doctorate isn’t his encore at VCU. https://news.vcu.edu/article/class-of-2026-jon-graham-traded-the-school-of-rock-for-the-school-of-education https://news.vcu.edu/article/class-of-2026-jon-graham-traded-the-school-of-rock-for-the-school-of-education https://news.vcu.edu/image/e2772aa3-7671-4d5d-b321-f66b9e68bfa1 Thu, 09 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT Love of learning has powered Jon Graham on the path to his Ph.D. in education. (Dean Hoffmeyer, Enterprise Marketing and Communications) A photo of a man from the waist up. He is standing outside. ‘You can do research as an undergraduate at VCU. You get so lost because of how many opportunities there are.’ https://news.vcu.edu/article/worldvcu-saif-alotaibi-from-kuwait https://news.vcu.edu/article/worldvcu-saif-alotaibi-from-kuwait https://news.vcu.edu/image/516bb026-e0d9-441a-9b44-72eba7d7ffd0 Thu, 09 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT Saif Alotaibi, a biology major, has embraced the wealth of research opportunities that VCU offers for undergraduates. (Dean Hoffmeyer, Enterprise Marketing and Communications) A man in safety goggles, gloves and a lab coat works in a lab. She put her education on hold to raise four daughters and mentor others. And her academic journey isn’t done. https://news.vcu.edu/article/class-of-2026-at-61-celia-cooper-has-truly-earned-her-degree https://news.vcu.edu/article/class-of-2026-at-61-celia-cooper-has-truly-earned-her-degree https://news.vcu.edu/image/7f54cd3c-d382-4d64-b771-2c8cfa23bc02 Wed, 08 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT After years of putting her college studies on hold to care for others, Celia Cooper is earning her bachelor’s degree at VCU. “Now it’s my turn,” she said. “I’m not used to the attention.” (Dean Hoffmeyer, Enterprise Marketing and Communications) A photo of a a woman sitting in a red chair. She is smiling and holding a black graduation cap. Wagoner, who previously served on the VCU Board of Visitors, will speak to the Class of 2026 at the May 9 ceremony at the Greater Richmond Convention Center. https://news.vcu.edu/article/former-gm-ceo-rick-wagoner-will-be-vcus-may-commencement-speaker https://news.vcu.edu/article/former-gm-ceo-rick-wagoner-will-be-vcus-may-commencement-speaker https://news.vcu.edu/image/1ede4dd3-4222-4a79-bebb-96c788bfa32e Wed, 08 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT Rick Wagoner, who will speak at VCU’s May commencement, is the former CEO of General Motors. (File photo) A photo of a man from the shoulders up More than 4,000 students nationwide will present projects at the flagship event. https://news.vcu.edu/article/vcu-to-host-national-conference-on-undergraduate-research-this-month https://news.vcu.edu/article/vcu-to-host-national-conference-on-undergraduate-research-this-month https://news.vcu.edu/image/3ddc4160-3f7e-4420-8610-44fc2311d265 Wed, 08 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT VCU will have more than 400 students presenting at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research in Richmond. (Billy Lineberry, Honors College) A photo of a woman and man standing to the right of a research poster. The woman is speaking and the man is listening to her. Rohit Paradkar, a junior in the Honors College, is studying bioinformatics and researching cancer treatment. https://news.vcu.edu/article/vcu-undergraduate-selected-for-prestigious-goldwater-scholarship https://news.vcu.edu/article/vcu-undergraduate-selected-for-prestigious-goldwater-scholarship https://news.vcu.edu/image/ddd324a2-8814-4f82-b0e1-12f6ac22e0bb Wed, 08 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT Rohit Paradkar, a junior majoring in bioinformatics, is VCU’s 19th Goldwater Scholar in the past 20 years. (Contributed image) A photo of a man from the chest up. 3 questions, 2 minutes, 1 lesson with Patrick Woodworth, who takes us out to the ballgame and shares fascinating science behind the sport. https://news.vcu.edu/article/physics-of-baseball https://news.vcu.edu/article/physics-of-baseball https://news.vcu.edu/image/528af074-825e-4fd2-9fa2-2ed0ba75b54d Tue, 07 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT (Getty Images) A photo of a pithcer throwing a baseball in the middle of a stadium. In the upper right corner is a black rectanlge with white text that reads "3 - 2 - 1 ..." and yellow text that reads "cRAM!" The second annual event, which featured both working learners and supervisors, offered lessons and guidance on a variety of important career topics, including how employment at VCU can support students’ long-term career goals. https://news.vcu.edu/article/student-employees-gain-valuable-insights-at-vcu-work-mini-conference https://news.vcu.edu/article/student-employees-gain-valuable-insights-at-vcu-work-mini-conference https://news.vcu.edu/image/e4397f08-8bfa-4cf6-be96-abc191d37322 Tue, 07 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT Beverly Walker, program manager of career development with VCU Human Resources, moderated a panel on building professional skills to use at VCU and beyond. (VCU Career Services) A photo of a woman standing at the front of a lecture room. U.S. News & World Report includes 18 VCU programs in the top 50 of its new rankings. https://news.vcu.edu/article/2026/04/vcu-school-of-the-arts-is-ranked-no-2-in-the-nation-among-graduate-schools https://news.vcu.edu/article/2026/04/vcu-school-of-the-arts-is-ranked-no-2-in-the-nation-among-graduate-schools https://news.vcu.edu/image/470cb369-ef3a-4ce7-bd99-7f629ede0b99 Tue, 07 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT (File photo) A crowded sidewalk with people walking by. Behind the people is a sign that says "VCU" in large yellow letters.