VCU news

By Mike Porter

Virginia Commonwealth University professor of psychology Faye Belgrave, Ph.D., has been awarded the state’s highest honor for teaching excellence at Virginia’s public and private colleges and universities.

The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, or SCHEV, recognized Belgrave as one of 12 faculty members from throughout the commonwealth to receive the 2008 Outstanding Faculty Award. The awards recognize superior accomplishments in teaching, research and public service.

“I love what I do,” Belgrave said.  “I am very honored and appreciative and thankful of the recognition.”

Belgrave joined VCU in 1997 and is the founding director of the Center for Cultural Experiences in Prevention within the Department of Psychology. She is also director of the social psychology program and an affiliate faculty member in the Department of African American Studies and the Institute for Drug Abuse Research.

"I am delighted that Dr. Belgrave has received this prestigious and well-deserved award.  Dr. Belgrave is a model to those around her: a model teacher, mentor, scholar and friend.  The VCU community is honored to have her among our distinguished faculty," said Stephen D. Gottfredson, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs.

Belgrave is known nationally for her work in the areas of culture and gender issues, HIV and substance abuse programming.  She has received numerous awards for her scholarship, teaching and service, including VCU’s Distinguished Teaching award, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration award for prevention excellence, and awards from the Association of Black Psychologists and the American Psychological Association.

The 12 recipients of the Outstanding Faculty Award, who were selected from a pool of 96 candidates nominated by their peers, will be honored during a ceremony Feb. 20 at the Jefferson Hotel in Richmond.