VCU Honors College

05/26/2026

It’s the first day of the Honors Summer Undergraduate Research Program! 🏝️ 🔬

This summer these 1️⃣5️⃣➕HSURP students will be paired with faculty mentors to work collaboratively with them on research projects in a variety of disciplines! To wrap up their time in HSURP, the students will present their research and findings in July.

We can’t wait to see what their work leads to this summer!
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05/11/2026

"You can't let your fear of failure get in your way. Your journey is fueled by your faith in yourself and supported by your friends and your family."

Ed Trask delivered some amazing remarks to the Honors College Class of 2026 last week at our spring graduation ceremony!

It was great to watch nearly 2️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ of our students walk across the stage. We know you're headed for more greatness and will continue to make us and Virginia Commonwealth University proud.

Read our graduation recap ➡️ https://honors.vcu.edu/news/in-commencement-address-richmond-artist-encourages-honors-class-of-2026-to-take-fear-of-failure-head-on-bridge-divisions-/

05/08/2026

We’re still reeling from yesterday’s graduation ceremony for the Honors College Class of 2026!

Thank you again to (pictured here with Dean Breuinger) for such an amazing commencement address that really got at the core of some of the biggest issues currently facing the world and how to overcome them with empathy and humility.

Also, it wouldn’t be a graduation without our ™️ Dean Selfie. Congrats again to all of our graduates and to all those graduating this weekend from 🖤💛🐏

05/07/2026

Here is your Honors College Class of 2026! Congratulations to the more than 200 of you! 🥳 🎉

We’re so proud and know you will continue to make us and proud in your next steps! 🖤 💛🎓🐏

Well done!
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04/23/2026

Harrish Ganesh is graduating from Honors this spring. He’s done a lot while here and at VCU and one thing has guided his efforts: Good karma comes back to you.

🗣️”At VCU, the number one thing that I learned was that I loved — and the good karma I wanted to help spread – was education. I see and work with so many different types of patients and students because of Richmond, and it has really shown me the importance of access to education and health care.”

That dedication has paid off. After he graudates, Harrish is headed to for medical school!

🔗Read more about Harrish, his time at VCU and what’s next for him through the link in our bio!

04/22/2026

The Honors College had a great showing at the annual Virginia Collegiate Honors Conference last week in Wi******er at Shenandoah University!

Nine of our students (accompanied by Dean Breuinger) presented their research to peers and academics from across Virginia and West Virginia during the conference.

Our students presented their work through poster sessions as well as oral presentations throughout the day. It always brings us so much joy to watch our students to what the do!
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04/17/2026

This week, Honors had a legendary showing at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research, one of the most prestigious and largest undergraduate research conferences in the U.S.!

More than 250 of our students presented research, ranging from projects in the arts to STEM, here in Richmond at the Convention Center. had a total of 487 students who presented.

It was a great reminder of all the fabulous work our students do with the help of Honors faculty and faculty from across the Monroe Park Campus and the campus.

🔗 Check out a series of vignettes featuring several Honors students and read a full recap of NCUR: https://vcu.exposure.co/students-find-inspiration-during-renowned-research-conferences-visit-to-richmond?source=share-vcu

📸:Photos by Dean Hoffmeyer, VCU Enterprise Marketing & Communications
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04/15/2026

Out students, yet again, doing amazing things! Congrats, Rohit!

A VCU junior has been awarded a Goldwater Scholarship, a prestigious national honor for undergraduate STEM students who plan to pursue research careers.

Rohit Paradkar, who is enrolled in the VCU Honors College that emphasizes experiential learning, is majoring in bioinformatics in the VCU College of Humanities and Sciences’ School of Life Sciences and Sustainability. He is VCU’s 19th Goldwater Scholar in the past 20 years.

Read more: https://news.vcu.edu/article/vcu-undergraduate-selected-for-prestigious-goldwater-scholarship

04/14/2026

Honors is representing 💪 at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research this year here in Richmond!

Of the 400+ students from Virginia Commonwealth University presenting research at the conference, more than 2️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ of them are Honors College students!

In addition to all the VCU and Honors representation, there are an additional 4,000 undergrads from across the country rotating their research this week at NCUR 2026.

It’s a great time to be a Ram and a researcher! 🐏🖤💛
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04/13/2026

💻 💾Some times it’s just about finding the right note! 🎹 🎼

Kel Raphael is graduating next month from Honors with a degree in piano performance from VCUarts and computer science from VCU College Of Engineering.

While these two disciplines might seem disparate, Kel finds joy in pursuing both. Each requires practice and patience and ultiamtely, once it’s done right, they also both produce satisfaction.

🗣️”The moment I can play through a piece of music and make it sound exactly how I want it to sound – or when I eventually figure out a problem with, say, a piece of code after some head bashing, but I eventually get it to work. That moment always feels really good.”

🔗 Read more about Kel and their journey at VCU and what’s next for them: https://news.vcu.edu/article/class-of-2026-kel-raphael-finds-harmony-at-both-piano-and-computer-keyboards

04/13/2026

We have more the 2️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ Honors students presenting at NCUR 2026 this week here in Richmond!

That’s more than half of all VCU students who are presenting.

For the first time, VCU will host the annual National Conference on Undergraduate Research this month, the nation’s largest conference spotlighting excellence in undergraduate research.

From April 13-15, more than 4,000 undergraduate student presenters from across the country will converge at the Greater Richmond Convention Center to showcase their scholarship and creative projects. VCU will have more than 400 students presenting at the conference, representing all of VCU’s schools and colleges that serve undergraduates.

Read more: https://news.vcu.edu/article/vcu-to-host-national-conference-on-undergraduate-research-this-month