VCU news

Mary L. Slade, Ph.D., executive director of VCU ASPiRE (Academic Scholars Program in Real Environments), and 22 students were recognized at the Nov. 11 Richmond City Council meeting. The group was presented with the “Richmond Public and Community Service Award,” in recognition of the work by ASPiRE and its students “in helping to make Richmond and even better place to live, love, work, play, visit and raise a family." ASPiRE was nominated for the award by 7th District Councilwoman Cynthia Newbill. Launched last year, VCU ASPiRE is an innovative and comprehensive community engagement-focused living-learning program that aims to enrich and deepen students’ understanding of their capacity to create positive change in communities through the connection of course work, co-curricular activities and a vibrant residential experience. Several council members joined the ASPiRE group for a photo at the end of the meeting. Photo provided by Mary L. Slade.