VCU news

By Grace Bost

Thirty-seven students and recent alumni from Virginia Commonwealth University were selected as recipients of nationally competitive and highly sought-after domestic and international scholarships over the past year with the assistance of the VCU National Scholarship Office – helping advance their studies in fields ranging from STEM to public policy to foreign affairs.

These scholarship recipients represent the university’s academic excellence and stand out for their accomplishments and potential in highly competitive international and domestic applicant pools.

“This year’s scholarship recipients showcase the talent and determination within our VCU community. Their achievements reflect not only their hard work but also the vital guidance and support from the VCU National Scholarship Office,” said Jeff Wing, director of the National Scholarship Office. “The NSO takes pride in assisting their journeys in diverse fields such as STEM and public policy, helping them unlock opportunities that will shape their futures.”

Five individuals from VCU were named recipients of the Fulbright U.S. Student Program; two were selected for the Critical Language Scholarship; two for the Goldwater Scholarship; six for the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program; 17 for the Gilman Scholarship; one for the PD Soros Fellowship for New Americans; one for the Presidential Management Fellowship; one for the Rotary Global Scholars Grant; and one for the National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship.

Student recipients and details about the scholarships they received are listed below.

Fulbright U.S. Student Program

The Fulbright Program is designed to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries. Five recent alums received Fulbright scholarships.

• Rana Ansari, a May 2024 graduate from the Honors College with a degree in biology from the College of Humanities and Sciences.
• Oorvi Budhwar (2022), an alum with a degree in political science from the College of Humanities and Sciences (and a graduate of the VCU Globe program).
• Arden Gentry (2022), an alum with a degree in communication arts from the School of the Arts.
• Rebecca Gilmore Lanz, a May 2024 graduate from the Honors College with a degree in photography from the School of the Arts.
• Nate Hosmer, a May 2024 graduate from Honors College with a degree in painting and printmaking from the School of the Arts.

Critical Language Scholarship

The Critical Language Scholarship is a summer study abroad program sponsored by the U.S. Department of State that allows U.S. undergraduate and graduate students to intensively study languages critical to America’s engagement with the world.

Within the CLS umbrella, CLS Spark is a virtual initiative for U.S. undergraduate students to begin studying Russian, Arabic or Chinese. One alum and one current student received CLS scholarships, and one alum received a CLS Spark scholarship.

• Ryan Jackson, an Honors College student who will graduate in 2026 with a bachelor’s in political science from the College of Humanities and Sciences, studied Russian.
• Aashima Sagar, a VCU and Honors College alum with a bachelor’s in biology from the College of Humanities and Sciences, received the award for Urdu in India.
• Rebecca Gunnin, a VCU and Honors College alum with a bachelor’s in biology from the College of Humanities and Sciences, studied Chinese through CLS Spark.

Goldwater Scholarship

The Barry Goldwater Scholarship is designed to foster and encourage outstanding students to pursue research careers in mathematics, the natural sciences and engineering. Two current students received the Goldwater Scholarship.

• Aditya Kotha, biology and psychology, Honors College, College of Humanities and Sciences, May 2025
• Andy Shar, biology, Honors College, College of Humanities and Sciences, May 2025

National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program

The National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program recognizes and supports outstanding graduate students in NSF-supported STEM disciplines pursuing research-based master’s and doctoral degrees at accredited U.S. institutions. Six students and alums received NSF graduate research fellowships.

• Gabriella Daire, who graduated in May 2024 from the Honors College with a biology degree from the College of Humanities and Sciences.
• Trevor Franklin, a doctoral student in mechanical and nuclear engineering (working with Lane Carasik, Ph.D.) in the College of Engineering.
• Hannah Heintz, a doctoral student in psychology (working with Annie Haynos, Ph.D.) in the College of Humanities and Sciences.
• Kelly Ott a doctoral student and Honors College alum in biomedical engineering (working with Jennifer Puetzer, Ph.D.) in the College of Engineering.
• Catherine Lamb, an Honors College alum who graduated in 2018 with a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the College of Humanities and Sciences.
• Caitlin Terry, an Honors College alum who graduated in May 2022 with biology and chemistry degrees from the College of Humanities and Sciences.

Gilman Scholarship

The Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship is a State Department-sponsored program that “enables students of limited financial means to study or intern abroad, providing them with skills critical to our national security and economic prosperity.” Eighteen VCU students received Gilman Scholarships.

• Sara Abdelrahim, criminal justice and homeland security and emergency preparedness, Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs, August 2024.
• Nonso Akunwafor, urban and regional studies, Honors College, Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs, May 2026.
• Isabella Alpire-Roca, anthropology, College of Humanities and Sciences, May 2025.
• Ash Berkman, forensic science, College of Humanities and Sciences, May 2027.
• Buffy Bui, political science, Honors College, College of Humanities and Sciences, May 2025.
• Ian Covert, graphic design, School of the Arts, May 2025.
• Elsa Hoppe, mass communications, Robertson School of Media and Culture, May 2026.
• Jimmy Mai, economics, School of Business, May 2025.
• Vanavah McKenzie, business, School of Business, May 2025.
• Catherine Nguyen, mass communications, Robertson School of Media and Culture, May 2024.
• Aseel Packry, pre-medical laboratory sciences, Honors College, College of Humanities and Sciences, May 2027.
• Jade Shull, environmental science, VCU Life Sciences, May 2026.
• Meg Stallard, international studies, School of World Studies, May 2026.
• Beatrice Stefanescu, political science, College of Humanities and Sciences, May 2026.
• Grace Tammaro, fashion merchandising, School of the Arts, May 2025.
• Harmoney Tillerson, fashion, School of the Arts, May 2025.
• Hayston Wines, urban and regional studies, Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs, May 2025.

Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowship for New Americans

The Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans, founded in 1998, is a merit-based graduate school program for immigrants and children of immigrants.

VCU alum Saidu Tejan-Thomas Jr. was named a 2024 Paul & Daisy Soros Fellow in support of his continued education as he pursues a Master of Fine Arts in theatre. Tejan-Thomas received a bachelor’s degree in mass communications from the Robertson School of Media and Culture at VCU in 2015.

Presidential Management Fellowship

The Presidential Management Fellows Program is the federal government's premier leadership development program for advanced degree holders across all academic disciplines.

Rochelle Upshur received her MBA from the School of Business in August 2023 and was awarded the Presidential Management Fellowship in 2024.

Rotary Global Scholars Grant

Rotary Global Scholarships fund international graduate-level study by people seeking careers in one of The Rotary Foundation’s focus areas.

VCU and Honors College alum Jillian Harrison (chemistry, May 2024) is pursuing a Master of Sciences in Medical Parasitology and Entomology at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, funded by the Rotary Global Grant program.

National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship

The Department of Defense National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship is a fellowship awarded annually to U.S. citizens pursuing doctoral degrees in science and engineering.

Madison Minvielle, a second-year Ph.D. student in the College of Humanities and Sciences’ Department of Chemistry, is a recipient of the NDSEG fellowship and will work with the Air Force Office of Scientific Research.