VCU College of Humanities and Sciences

09/03/2026

According to a November 2018 Pew Research Center report, Americans are more likely to describe conversations across the political divide as “stressful” and “frustrating,” and those that do engage find that they have “less in common” than previously thought.

The Baldacci Institute for Civil Discourse aims to bring us back together. David and Michelle Baldacci committed a joint $13 million gift to VCU and the Library of Virginia to fund a groundbreaking nonpartisan initiative focused on civil discourse. Launching this month, the new Baldacci Institute seeks to strengthen democratic values, nurture civic collaboration, promote a civil exchange of ideas and empower citizens throughout VCU, Richmond and beyond.

Read more. https://bit.ly/4zVbWYX

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

09/01/2026

Join the VCU Forensic Science department for a screening of Baby Doe, followed by a Q&A with director Jessica Earnshaw and a panel discussion with VCU faculty experts. The film explores the complex story of a woman at the center of a decades-old cold case, examining women’s health, justice, stigma and the forces that shape stories like hers. Register below to attend.

🗓️ Wednesday, September 16 | 6- 8:30pm
📍VCU Student Commons - Commons Theatre

Click the link to register now. https://bit.ly/4zW2J2S

09/01/2026

Photo dump from the first couple weeks of school! 📸

How are we settling in Rams?

09/01/2026

We are so excited to share that Ed Acevedo, Ph.D., will be receiving VCU's Distinguished Service Award at the VCU Faculty Recognition Gala.

Two decades at VCU have taken Ed from chair of the VCU Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences to associate dean for the College of Humanities and Sciences. Along the way, he has built a research record cited more than 4,000 times, work that has run alongside a steady stream of service to VCU.

“He continues to bring a level of excitement and professionalism to the College of Humanities and Sciences, contributing to a foundation of excellence that allows CHS to grow and succeed as a vibrant hub of education and scholarship at VCU.” said Catherine Ingrassia, Ph.D., dean of the College of Humanities and Sciences.

Click to read more. https://bit.ly/3UxQB7N

08/31/2026

A wetland restoration project in Surry County is taking inspiration from work done at VCU Rice Rivers Center. The Nature Conservancy is planning to restore the ecosystem at Sunken Meadow Pond, where a similar dam removal project at Rice Rivers Center 15 years ago showed how quickly fish and wildlife can return.

Read the full story and learn more about the project: https://bit.ly/4qWHjOP

The project faced pushback from residents opposed to draining the pond.

08/28/2026

The third annual Virginia Government Simulation (VGS) is coming to the Virginia State Capitol October 20–22! Undergraduate students from across Virginia will experience the legislative process firsthand through caucus meetings, leadership elections, committee work, floor debates and voting.

No prior experience is required, and students of any major or political affiliation are welcome. Scan the QR code or click the link to register. https://bit.ly/4qJnlHi

08/27/2026

The best time was had at the first ever CHS Trivia Night! Y'all blew us away -- 200 students strong. It was a night of new friends, plenty of pizza, and bragging rights. ... Though only one of you got this correct: Which Richmond native ran a Civil War-era espionage ring so effective that Ulysses S. Grant personally thanked her for the war's most valuable intelligence out of Richmond? (Do you know???) At the end of the evening, prizes were won and glory was claimed by the Little Einsteins, with runner-ups The Swagapinos, Cookie Monsters, and Little Caesar's. Something tells us that we need to host another one ... January?

08/25/2026

Michael Farfan, a senior in the Department of History, spent his summer immersed in one of humanity's darkest chapters.

He interned with the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum, where he did everything from preserving and organizing historical records, to attending lectures with museum archives and collections staff.

Read the full story to learn more about Farfan's experience in Poland and his work over the summer.
https://bit.ly/4wOvICU

The rising VCU senior embraced his summer internship at the Holocaust memorial and museum in Poland.

08/25/2026

Join the VCU Forensic Science department today at 12:30PM for their first seminar of the year! Amanda Hale, Ph.D., will be presenting on the topic of "Estimating Population Affinity in Forensic Anthropology. This seminar will be held on Zoom, click the link to join. https://bit.ly/4xj2xIV

08/24/2026

We are excited to celebrate the following CHS faculty members as recipients of this year’s Pedagogical Excellence and Innovation Award (PEIA)! 🎉

The PEIA recognizes faculty who are advancing academic excellence through innovative, student-centered approaches to teaching, curriculum design and accessible pedagogy. These faculty members are helping transform the learning experience and shaping the future of education at VCU.

We are excited to celebrate the following faculty members:

-Jessica Brown, Ph.D., associate professor, VCU Psychology Department
-Ellen Carpenter, Ph.D., associate professor, VCU Psychology Department
-Allison Tharp, Ph.D., assistant professor, Focused Inquiry
-Stephen Vesely, assistant professor, VCU Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences
-Jonathan Waybright, associate professor, VCU School of World Studies
-Susan Zacharia, Ph.D., associate professor, VCU Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences

Congratulations to all of this year’s PEIA recipients! 👏