News

On Friday, Sept. 25, the Virginia Student Voting Summit will bring students, campus administrators, election officials and community advocates to VCU for an event promoting civic engagement. (Getty Images)

Virginia Student Voting Summit comes to VCU this week

Sept. 22, 2026

Presented by the Division of Student Affairs, the Baldacci Institute and the Campus Vote Project, the annual nonpartisan event promotes civic engagement.

From the complicated to the mundane, VCU’s academic advisors, such as Jennifer Clayton, an advisor within the Department of Political Science, are happy to assist. (Dean Hoffmeyer, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

‘Reach out’: VCU academic advisors offer their best advice for a successful college journey

Sept. 21, 2026

From questions about scheduling to stopping a crisis in its tracks, advisors Jennifer Clayton and Samantha DeShazo say they’re here to help.

Redrawn congressional maps in a number of states seem poised to play a major role in the results of Nov. 3 midterm elections, according to VCU expert Alex Keena. (Getty Images)

How will redistricting impact the midterm elections?

Sept. 10, 2026

VCU political science professor and redistricting expert Alex Keena says the Nov. 3 elections will be a test case for the effectiveness of gerrymandering – and explains why the practice is a riskier strategy than it appears.

Ray Ifanga, a junior majoring in political science and African American studies, said, “I genuinely enjoy meeting people, building connections and being involved in different spaces on campus, which is definitely a shift from how shy and reserved I was when I first came to VCU.” (Dean Hoffmeyer, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

Ray Ifanga sharpens his worldview at VCU

Sept. 9, 2026

In classes, research and student leadership, the junior and aspiring lawyer keeps Black communities in focus.

VCU’s Wilder Symposium on Sept. 1 brought together a panel of scholars and political leaders, including former Governors Wilder and Gilmore, for a wide-ranging conversation that touched on Virginia’s historical and ongoing influence at the state and national levels. (VCU Wilder School)

Wilder Symposium examines Virginia’s ongoing role in shaping the nation

Sept. 4, 2026

Former Governors Wilder and Gilmore join political scholars to assess ‘Virginia at 250.’

The Virginia Government Simulation program, which had nearly 100 participants last year, puts students in the role of state legislators as they research positions, elect party leadership, propose laws and debate legislation – all inside the state Capitol’s House of Delegates chamber. (Dean Hoffmeyer, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

Talking across the divide

Sept. 1, 2026

Americans are more at odds than ever. The Baldacci Institute for Civil Discourse aims to bring us back together.

VCU fuels new and emerging research endeavors and cross-campus collaboration with 2026 Quest Fund awards

July 28, 2026

These competitive internal grants empower faculty to launch pilot studies, restart research programs and drive transdisciplinary discoveries.

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)

VCU drives societal change with 10 new Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Fund awards

June 3, 2026

Nearly $100,000 is being awarded to fund projects on teacher education, AI, environmental governance, the history of Black dentistry and more.

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)

Family journey inspires Roqia Ali’s passion for civic engagement

June 2, 2026

The VCU Votes leader champions democracy and doesn’t take it for granted.

Jason Dresen will join the Peace Corps – and head to Sri Lanka – as a first step toward what he hopes will be a career through the U.S. Foreign Service, part of the State Department. (Dean Hoffmeyer, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

Class of 2026: Jason Dresen readies for the Peace Corps and, hopefully, the Foreign Service

May 6, 2026

The double-major in economics and political science is forging a path with familiar, and familial, footsteps.