https://news.vcu.edu News articles about VCU en-US Copyright 2026 Tue, 09 Jun 2026 15:54:13 GMT Medical doctors Shady Azzam and Nada Nassif are training to become better physicians through a Ph.D. program in the School of Medicine. https://news.vcu.edu/article/couple-finds-a-home-at-vcu-to-pursue-research-projects-with-personal-meaning https://news.vcu.edu/article/couple-finds-a-home-at-vcu-to-pursue-research-projects-with-personal-meaning https://news.vcu.edu/image/816a4324-903f-44e5-a5e3-bca059ac7ae7 Tue, 09 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT After both completing medical school in their home country of Egypt, spouses Shady Azzam (left) and Nada Nassif relocated to pursue graduate degrees at the School of Medicine. (Photo by Arda Athman, School of Medicine) A photo of a mand and a woman standing and smiling. They are holding arms and standing in a hallway. Gov. Abigail Spanberger on Friday announced the appointments of four new members of the Virginia Commonwealth University Board of Visitors. https://news.vcu.edu/article/2026/06/governor-appoints-four-to-vcu-board-of-visitors https://news.vcu.edu/article/2026/06/governor-appoints-four-to-vcu-board-of-visitors https://news.vcu.edu/image/ceee1e4f-7cb4-4cc6-b89a-ca591c5b8919 Mon, 08 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT (File photo) An overhead image of VCU's campus. Virginia Commonwealth University has appointed Robyn McDougle, Ph.D., as interim dean of the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs, effective July 1. https://news.vcu.edu/article/2026/06/robyn-mcdougle-named-interim-dean-of-the-l-douglas-wilder-school https://news.vcu.edu/article/2026/06/robyn-mcdougle-named-interim-dean-of-the-l-douglas-wilder-school https://news.vcu.edu/image/b322c394-93cf-4dcd-b414-ad25d86cbf77 Mon, 08 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT Robyn McDougle, Ph.D., will serve as interim dean of the Wilder School starting July 1. (Contributed photo) Robyn McDougle speaks at an event. Behind her are the words: L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs. Independent living, a trip to VidCon, employment — and even establishing a Roblox club – are among his achievements. https://news.vcu.edu/article/class-of-2026-tyler-brown-spreads-his-wings-through-ace-it https://news.vcu.edu/article/class-of-2026-tyler-brown-spreads-his-wings-through-ace-it https://news.vcu.edu/image/ff62a19b-d15f-4d99-9989-0c44fc65cf38 Fri, 05 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT Tyler Brown graduated this spring from VCU’s ACE-IT in College program. (Contributed image) A photo of a man wearing a graduation cap and gown. https://news.vcu.edu/article/hernan-bucheli-named-interim-leader-for-vcu-global-education-office https://news.vcu.edu/article/hernan-bucheli-named-interim-leader-for-vcu-global-education-office https://news.vcu.edu/image/f09290d6-f4e3-474d-b32f-00cff1eb8b61 Fri, 05 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT Hernan Bucheli, Ed.D., vice president for Strategic Enrollment Management and Student Success, will lead the Global Education Office on an interim basis. (File photo). A photo of a man from the chest up The English professor’s new sequel to ‘Writing Our Way Out’ continues exploring incarceration, and its aftermath, through storytelling. https://news.vcu.edu/article/in-after-jail-before-freedom-vcu-author-david-coogan-revisits-his-co-authors https://news.vcu.edu/article/in-after-jail-before-freedom-vcu-author-david-coogan-revisits-his-co-authors https://news.vcu.edu/image/a9c0c5d9-9c76-4b5b-ac94-bd143ffc398a Thu, 04 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT David Coogan (bottom left) co-authors Stanley Craddock upper left), Ron Fountain (upper right), Naji Mujahid (middle left), Kelvin Belton (middle right), and Dean Turner (bottom right) wrote “After Jail, Before Freedom.” (Photo of jail by John Dooley. Photos of authors by Skip Rowland) A book cover next to a photo of six men. The book cover has the photo of the front of a jail and has white text that reads "'A story about redemption, resilience, and the courage it takes to build a new life from the wreckage of an old one.;" "AFTER JAIL" "BEFORE FREEDOM" "David Coogan with" "Kelvin Belton" "Stanley Craddock" "Ron Fountain" "Naji Mujahid" "Dean Turner" Nearly $100,000 is being awarded to fund projects on teacher education, AI, environmental governance, the history of Black dentistry and more. https://news.vcu.edu/article/vcu-drives-societal-change-with-10-new-arts-humanities-and-social-sciences-fund-awards https://news.vcu.edu/article/vcu-drives-societal-change-with-10-new-arts-humanities-and-social-sciences-fund-awards https://news.vcu.edu/image/d5a1b69e-1183-4065-ae33-0ac37faa217a Wed, 03 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT Award recipients of the VCU AHSS Fund are identified through a peer review process with an emphasis on projects that expand imagination, innovation, self-reflection and society as well as cultural identity. (File photo) A photo of James Branch Cabell Library at dawn. The sky is a dark blue and the entrance to the library is lit up. The research, led by engineering professor Jayasimha Atulasimha, could speed up problem-solving in some industries and cut energy use. https://news.vcu.edu/article/vcu-researchers-advance-quantum-computing-with-tiny-virus-sized-nanomagnets https://news.vcu.edu/article/vcu-researchers-advance-quantum-computing-with-tiny-virus-sized-nanomagnets https://news.vcu.edu/image/6ff48ffc-922d-472f-987d-371b669073c5 Wed, 03 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT New VCU research uses microscopic magnets to create the building blocks of quantum computing. (Getty Images) An image of binary code running against two walls that have a beam of light shining between them. The VCU Votes leader champions democracy and doesn’t take it for granted. https://news.vcu.edu/article/family-journey-inspires-roqia-alis-passion-for-civic-engagement https://news.vcu.edu/article/family-journey-inspires-roqia-alis-passion-for-civic-engagement https://news.vcu.edu/image/7ce88ca2-f30c-4270-908f-51b390d81463 Tue, 02 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT In her role as co-executive director of VCU Votes, VCU senior Roqia Ali’s goal is to meet her peers where they are as she spreads the word about civic engagement. (Dean Hoffmeyer, Enterprise Marketing and Communications) A photo of a woman outside sitting and having a picnic. The selections continue VCU’s upward trend of honorees in the federal cultural exchange program. https://news.vcu.edu/article/two-current-vcu-students-two-recent-alums-receive-prestigious-fulbright-awards https://news.vcu.edu/article/two-current-vcu-students-two-recent-alums-receive-prestigious-fulbright-awards https://news.vcu.edu/image/ad3e21e4-8ed5-4ae1-84ef-92b8cf326daa Tue, 02 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT Photo cutlines: Four new VCU Fulbright recipients will travel to Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Brazil. (File photo) A photo of someone walking past a sign that says "VCU" in large yellow letters. Richard Marconi is developing a test for babesiosis, a growing threat to humans and animals. https://news.vcu.edu/article/vcu-pioneer-in-lyme-disease-puts-another-tick-borne-menace-in-his-sights https://news.vcu.edu/article/vcu-pioneer-in-lyme-disease-puts-another-tick-borne-menace-in-his-sights https://news.vcu.edu/image/0b542446-bd5f-46cf-8eee-ec5ab5e620f9 Mon, 01 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT Richard Marconi’s team is developing a peptide-based diagnostic antigen derived from B. microti surface proteins, with the goal of diagnosing babesiosis at the earliest possible stage. (John Battiston) A photo of a man from the waist up. The awards for research, teaching and partnerships reflect commitment on campus and off. https://news.vcu.edu/article/changemakers-honored-at-vcus-excellence-in-community-engagement-awards-ceremony https://news.vcu.edu/article/changemakers-honored-at-vcus-excellence-in-community-engagement-awards-ceremony https://news.vcu.edu/image/fab9780a-30ab-4e87-b0fd-7d41ff8f9117 Fri, 29 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT Katrina Jackson (center) of Richmond Public Schools was among those honored at the annual Excellence in Community Engagement awards. She is with Maghoeba Mosavel, vice provost for community engagement at VCU, (left) and Verenda K. Cobbs, senior manager for civic innovation and partnerships. (Division of Community Engagement) A photo of three woman from the chest up. The woman in the center is holding a glass award trophy. The School of Business grads credit VCU with putting them on their path, and they have established endowed scholarships at their alma mater. https://news.vcu.edu/article/double-vision-twin-alums-kenneth-and-steven-ender-both-rose-to-college-presidencies https://news.vcu.edu/article/double-vision-twin-alums-kenneth-and-steven-ender-both-rose-to-college-presidencies https://news.vcu.edu/image/a005f4b7-ba6e-4077-9bf1-695a602092c3 Fri, 29 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT Kenneth (left) and Steven Ender, 1973 VCU graduates, had long careers in higher education that included serving as college presidents. (Jud Froelich, Office of Development and Alumni Relations) A photo of two men from the chest up who are standing outside an d smiling. Three events at VCU in May offered a rich environment for higher education research leaders to tackle the most critical issues in the field, ranging from AI to federal funding. https://news.vcu.edu/article/vcu-hosts-high-profile-research-and-innovation-forums-to-drive-regional-collaboration https://news.vcu.edu/article/vcu-hosts-high-profile-research-and-innovation-forums-to-drive-regional-collaboration https://news.vcu.edu/image/3e54442d-682a-439c-81a1-dedcecc18169 Fri, 29 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT P. Srirama Rao, vice president for research and innovation at VCU, speaks with fellow senior research officers from other Virginia colleges at a recent meeting in Richmond. (Emily Komornik, Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation) A photo of several men sitting at a table. https://news.vcu.edu/article/vcu-board-of-visitors-to-meet-in-person-june-4 https://news.vcu.edu/article/vcu-board-of-visitors-to-meet-in-person-june-4 https://news.vcu.edu/image/96b7a999-f056-49db-ad58-082b5ad018aa Thu, 28 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT (File photo) A photo of the VCU Student Commons. Payne is the first medical student at VCU Health to earn the TULIP Award, an honor recognizing exceptional compassion and service by non-nursing team members. https://news.vcu.edu/article/medical-student-charles-payne-recognized-for-extraordinary-compassion-during-his-ob-gyn-rotation https://news.vcu.edu/article/medical-student-charles-payne-recognized-for-extraordinary-compassion-during-his-ob-gyn-rotation https://news.vcu.edu/image/dc9e5a88-91d5-4afd-a000-d6868e146849 Wed, 27 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT Charles Payne proudly wears his TULIP Award pin on his VCU Health badge. (Contributed photo) A photo of a VCUHealth Studednt badge. https://news.vcu.edu/article/vcu-board-of-visitors-nominating-committee-members-to-meet-in-person-june-2 https://news.vcu.edu/article/vcu-board-of-visitors-nominating-committee-members-to-meet-in-person-june-2 https://news.vcu.edu/image/66132362-5ab9-41b1-8be0-64985a88e036 Wed, 27 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT (File image) A photo of the VCU compass from above. The chairman and CEO of U.S. Physical Therapy leads a national network of clinics across more than 40 states and has become one of the leading advocates for the field in the country. https://news.vcu.edu/article/chris-reading-pushes-for-physical-therapys-place-in-the-healthcare-system https://news.vcu.edu/article/chris-reading-pushes-for-physical-therapys-place-in-the-healthcare-system https://news.vcu.edu/image/ab14b53e-d3b3-4ba4-b67a-818808cb23aa Tue, 26 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT VCU alum Chris Reading, CEO of U.S. Physical Therapy, said his perspective remains rooted in patient care. (Contributed image) A photo of a mant from the waist up. He is holding a yellow sign that says "SAFE BALANCE IN ACTION." Launching in fall 2026 in the College of Engineering, the program addresses how AI and automation are transforming industries. https://news.vcu.edu/article/vcu-to-offer-new-undergraduate-degree-in-robotics-and-autonomous-systems-engineering https://news.vcu.edu/article/vcu-to-offer-new-undergraduate-degree-in-robotics-and-autonomous-systems-engineering https://news.vcu.edu/image/3d3e8a96-4c59-4e75-8a40-99655a9293e4 Tue, 26 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT The global robotics market is projected to grow from $11.5 billion to $78.8 billion by 2033. Virginia alone is forecast to add more than 10,000 jobs in aerospace and unmanned systems over the next decade. (Adobe stock photo) A photo of a robotic arm working on electronics. A friendship forged among VCU School of Medicine alumni on Monument Avenue has grown into a scholarship that encourages future physicians to follow their calling. https://news.vcu.edu/article/monument-avenue-scholarship https://news.vcu.edu/article/monument-avenue-scholarship https://news.vcu.edu/image/3d9d72a8-bd86-41c1-a31a-209b11eab039 Fri, 22 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT (From left) Anton M. Allen Jr., M.D., William “Bill” M. Goldstein, M.D., and Richard M. “Rick” Rubenstein, M.D., who established the Monument Avenue Scholarship, attended the 1981 class party at a recent MCV Campus Alumni Reunion. (Photo by Skip Rowland) A photo of three men from the waist up.