VCU College of Humanities and Sciences

11/04/2026

Join the College of Humanities for this year's Uncommon Connections!

From the United States to Brazil, those who have no institutional religious affiliation have been rapidly expanding while Christians who seek to establish governments based on their faith have been multiplying. Join Andrew Chesnut, Ph.D., (Religious Studies) and Jeffrey Green, Ph.D., (Department of Psychology) for a lively discussion of two of the most important trends on the religious landscape of the Americas.

🗓️ Monday, November 9 | 4PM
📍STEM Building, Room 112

Register here: https://bit.ly/4BHXioZ

11/01/2026

Steven Fong, professor in the School of Life Sciences and Sustainability, was recently featured by NBC News examining the proximity of large-scale data centers to schools in Northern Virginia.

Watch now: https://bit.ly/4iqHhuB

NBC News’ Stephanie Gosk investigates how 11 data centers ended up being within half a mile of an elementary school in northern Virginia and what the backup generators with those centers could be doing to the air quality.

10/30/2026

Congratulations to all of our wonderful CHS faculty honored at the VCU Faculty Recognition Gala! 🎉

The College of Humanities and Sciences is lucky to have such incredible faculty who make a difference across our college every day. We're celebrating their accomplishments and sharing a few highlights from the evening!

Check out some photos from the night below.

📸: Laneecia Ricks

10/30/2026

Halloween is upon us and we just had to bring the spooky ampersand out! Thanks to all of our lovely participants for coming to meet us at the compass. Have a great Halloween weekend and be safe! 🎃👻✨

10/29/2026

The College of Humanities and Sciences Dean’s Office is getting into the Halloween spirit! 🎃👻

We kicked off the holiday weekend with a potluck full of fall fun and team spirit! Swipe for some festive photos.✨

10/29/2026

Yesterday marked the kickoff of our three-day Larry Levis Festival!

“Make My Meaning Plain: A Celebration of Larry Levis,” curated by fellow poet James Ciano, celebrates the life and legacy of the late poet alongside the university’s 29th annual Levis Reading Prize.

Running through Friday, Oct. 30, the free, public festival features readings, talks, an exhibition of Levis’ letters and a documentary screening, inviting the community to celebrate his lasting impact on poetry.

In the latest Style Weekly article, Edgar Kunz shares more about the celebration.

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

A three-day festival goes all out to commemorate poet Larry Levis, who would have turned 80 this year.

10/28/2026

We’re excited to recognize this year’s Commonwealth Professors within the College of Humanities and Sciences! At VCU, the title of Commonwealth Professor recognizes faculty who have achieved extraordinary scholarly distinction, advanced education or demonstrated leadership in their academic discipline, earning national or international recognition.

Meet our CHS Commonwealth Professors:

Carolyn Eastman (VCU Department of History)
A 2023 recipient of the CHS Distinguished Scholar Award and the Library of Virginia’s 2022 Literary Award for Nonfiction, Dr. Eastman is recognized nationally for her scholarship in the humanities. Her work on early America and the Atlantic world has earned prestigious academic recognition while bringing important historical stories to broader audiences through her work as a public historian.

Nicholas Frankel (Department of English)
Dr. Frankel is widely recognized as one of the world’s leading authorities on the life and works of Oscar Wilde, the influential Victorian writer and cultural figure. Through his interpretive scholarship, editorial contributions and groundbreaking textual criticism, he has transformed how scholars understand Wilde and his work.

Jason Reed (Department of Physics)
Dr. Reed conducts pioneering research in genomics and diagnostics, bridging disciplines through collaborations with the VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center and the VCU Institute of Engineering and Medicine. With 31 grants totaling more than $19.6 million, he is the highest-funded member of VCU’s Physics Department and a member of the National Academy of Inventors.

Gregory Smithers (VCU Department of History)
Dr. Smithers specializes in Indigenous history, enslavement and environmental history, with a focus on the Cherokee people and Indigenous communities across the Mountain South, California and the Southwest Pacific. His extensive scholarship and international reputation are complemented by his work with state government agencies to help improve the lives of Indigenous communities whose histories he studies.

Congratulations to our outstanding faculty on this well-deserved recognition!

10/28/2026

We’re so excited to celebrate Haley Mulder, Ph.D. (B.S.’16, M.S.’18, Ph.D.’22), on receiving VCU Alumni’s 10 Under 10 award! 🎉

VCU Alumni’s 10 Under 10 program recognizes graduates who earned their first VCU degree within the past 10 years and are making a difference in their professions and communities.

A forensic science alum, Mulder serves as chief toxicologist for the Maryland State Police, overseeing toxicology programs that support impaired driving investigations across the state.

Read more about Haley’s accomplishments here: https://bit.ly/4jDY9At

10/28/2026

Celebrate the launch of the Latino Virginia Oral History Archive, a bilingual digital collection documenting the experiences of Latino communities across the Commonwealth. The event will feature Latin American folk dances, a presentation of the project, a student panel reflecting on the research process, and a gallery walk showcasing photographs and voices of community members who shared their stories. Free and open to the public.

🗓️ Friday, October 30 | 4:00-5:30pm
📍 STEM Building, Room 216

No registration required!

10/27/2026

We’re excited to announce that this year’s commencement speaker is one of our own! 🎓

12 On Your Side Candice Smith (B.S. ’14), a proud VCU alumna and graduate of the The Robertson School of Communication, will help lead the next generation of Rams across the stage.

Read more: https://bit.ly/3UR2xSD

Smith, a VCU alum and on-air personality for WWBT 12, will be the featured speaker at the Dec. 12 universitywide ceremony.