November 6, 2024

The opportunity to present research nationally proved impactful for this Honors student

Ashna Deshpande , a senior in the Honors College double majoring in psychology and biology in the College of Humanities and Sciences, was able to present her research project at both the national and state level. 

Ashna Deshpande standing next to her research poster at a conference

September 13, 2024

An internship abroad provided invaluable experiential learning experience for this Honors student

Arya Kalathil , a senior in the Honors College double majoring in psychology and sociology in the College of Humanities and Sciences, spent this past summer abroad in Dublin, Ireland. While there, Arya, worked in a recovery treatment facility and gained invaluable hands-on learning experience. 

Arya Kalathil sitting in a restaurant in Dublin Ireland while

August 29, 2024

VCU Honors College named Top 50 Honors College; sets enrollment record for first-year enrollment

The Virginia Commonwealth University Honors College was named a Top 50 Honors College in the United States by College Transitions, a higher-education admission counseling company. The VCU Honors College has also set a record for first-year enrollment with its fall 2024 class.

A drone photo of the Honors College building as seen from the north

August 22, 2024

A recent study abroad experience proved transformative for this Honors student

Tobi Ojo, a junior in the Honors College majoring in Health Services and Sociology, was able to take part in an Honors study abroad trip over this past summer. Read about Tobi's experience and how this opportunity was an impactful experience.

Tobi Ojo in Italy during the Honors study abroad trip

August 13, 2024

Honors student Aleah Nguyen embraces the chance ‘to write my own story’ in pediatric cancer research

As an aspiring physician, Aleah Nguyen wants to heal – and as a student researcher, she wants to reveal.

Aleah Nguyen stands beside her research presentation poster

May 20, 2024

Three Honors College alums receive Fulbright awards for the 2024-25 academic year

Three Virginia Commonwealth University Honors College alums have been selected for the Fulbright U.S. Student Program for the 2024-25 academic year, one of the most competitive scholarships in the country. 

Three headshots of the three Fulbright winners from the V C U Honors College

May 10, 2024

Honors College bestows honors to near record number of graduates

The Virginia Commonwealth University Honors College bestowed honors to one of its largest classes to date during its Spring 2024 commencement ceremony last Thursday, May 9 at the Siegel Center on VCU’s Monroe Park Campus. 

The Honors class of 2024 sits at the Siegel Center during the commencement address

May 7, 2024

Class of 2024: Honors student Alyssa Sievers turned injury into opportunity and found her passion for physical therapy

Alyssa Sievers wants to help people the way she was once helped.

After invasive knee surgery that followed a dance performance injury during high school, Sievers was enrolled in physical therapy. The PT did more than help her recover – it intensified her previous interest in health care, and she realized she wanted to become a physical therapist.

Alyssa Sievers poses for a photo at the Cary Street Gym

April 19, 2024

Two Honors students selected for prestigious Goldwater Scholarships

Two Virginia Commonwealth University Honors College students have been selected as recipients of the Barry Goldwater Scholarship, a prestigious national honor for undergraduate STEM students who plan to pursue research careers.

Aditya Kotha and Andy Shar,  headshots

February 26, 2024

Honors College Hosts Inaugural Research and Creative Scholarship Symposium

The VCU Honors College held its inaugural Research and Creative Scholarship Symposium where 47 Honors students presented their research projects, which spanned subjects from cancer treatment to music therapy.

Honors students present a research poster to fellow students and an Honors administrator

February 22, 2024

In VCU Honors College, students get teaching and tutoring experience through partnership with Richmond public high school

Each week, Arya Kalathil looks forward to Thursday. For one hour that day, she’s not an undergraduate student: She’s a teacher.

Kalathil, a junior in Virginia Commonwealth University’s Honors College, helps high school students learn about well-being and mindfulness through Open-Honors Connect, a partnership with Open High School in Richmond. Now in its eight year, the program places Honors students in the city school system’s alternative high school to lead enrichment elective courses and tutoring services. 

VCU Honors College students Arya Kalathil (left) and Simrah Ansari (right) lead students in the WHAM (Wellness, Happiness and Mindfulness) class at Open High School in some yoga moves.

December 12, 2023

Honors College Bestows Honors to 65 Graduates at Fall Graduation Ceremony

The Virginia Commonwealth University Honors College bestowed Honors to 65 graduates, the highest academic accolade given to VCU undergraduate students, at its Fall 2023 commencement ceremony on Friday, December 8, 2023. 

The Honors College class of fall 2023 posing for a photo wearing full regalia

November 30, 2023

Year-End Review: Multiple Honors Students, Alums Awarded Fulbright, CLS Scholarships

Four Virginia Commonwealth University Honors College students and recent alums were selected as recipients of nationally competitive and highly sought-after domestic and international scholarships over the past year with the assistance of the VCU National Scholarship Office – helping advance their studies in fields ranging from STEM to public policy to foreign affairs.

Four student headshots imposed on a V C U gold background

October 26, 2023

Honors Alum Dedicates Career to Helping Others Through Law, Advocacy & Education

Axana Soltan’s (B.S., ‘17 Honors) family fled her home country of Afghanistan when she was a child because of the Taliban. For 10 years, Soltan and her family lived together across central Asia living in refugee camps before immigrating to Richmond in 2009. 

Axana Soltan wearing a light-blue blazer and a black blouse.

September 26, 2023

Honors Student Discovers Passion for Wellbeing and Community

Arya Kalathil is an Honors College Junior majoring in Psychology and Sociology in the College of Humanities and Sciences. While in the Honors College, Arya has found a passion for wellbeing and mindfulness. 

Arya sitting on a stonewall wearng black jeans and a dark top.

August 15, 2023

Honors Student Works to Shift Paradigm for Disability Inclusion in Virtual Reality Research

Ellie Bavuso has always been the type of person with more questions than answers. As a curious kid, Bavuso can recall asking their parents endless amounts of questions – amassing tons of information but still coming up with more questions that were yet to be answered.

Ellie Bavuso sits next to her virtual reality headset she uses to model her game to help neurodivergent individuals.

July 19, 2023

Honors Student, Faculty Member Research How to Improve Medical Trust in Kenya

Rohan Rathi has always liked the idea of being right at the edge of something new. It’s what drew him to research. New knowledge is always coming out from researchers across the globe, and he wanted to become a part of that – to be the first to learn something new and to make his own contribution to scholarship.

Rohan Rathi wearing a blue butoon up shirt leaning against a staircase railing in front of a mural

May 18, 2023

Two Honors Students Selected as Fellows for Fulbright U.K. Summer Institutes

Two Virginia Commonwealth University students have been selected to attend the Fulbright U.K. Summer Institutes, one of the most prestigious and selective summer scholarship programs operating worldwide.

Honors College Fulbright Summer UK Fellows Nonso Akunwafor and Vishnu Alavala

May 15, 2023

Honors College Bestows Honors to Record Number of Graduates at Spring Commencement Ceremony

The Virginia Commonwealth University Honors College bestowed honors to its largest class to date during its Spring 2023 commencement ceremony last Thursday, May 11 at the Siegel Center on VCU’s Monroe Park Campus. 

THe Honors COllege class of spring 2023 sits in ful regalia at the Siegel Center during their commencement ceremony

May 4, 2023

At National Conference, Two Dozen Honors College Students Present Research

With projects ranging from women in television to art therapy for teens and even the impact of pet insurance, two dozen undergraduate students from the Virginia Commonwealth University Honors College presented their research at a recent national conference.

Honors College professor Faye Prichard stands with 24 student presenters at the national conference for undergraduate research

May 2, 2023

Two Honors Students, One Recent Alum Receive Fulbright Awards

Two Virginia Commonwealth University Honors College students and one recent alum have been selected for the Fulbright U.S. Student Program for the 2023-24 academic year, one of the most competitive scholarships in the United States.  

Ishaan Nandwani, Vineeth Vaidyula and Leslie Pyo headshots

April 20, 2023

Honors Student Earns Goldwater Scholarship, A Highly Sought-After Award for Students in STEM

Gabriella Daire, a junior in the Virginia Commonwealth University Honors College who studies biology in the College of Humanities and Sciences, has been selected as a recipient of the Goldwater Scholarship, a prestigious national honor for undergraduate students in STEM fields.

A woman wearing a lab coar with black hair poses for a photo in one of V C U's labs

April 14, 2023

Class of 2023: Honors Student finds path to medical school and a community she can count on at VCU

When Akhila Kunuthuru first came to Virginia Commonwealth University to tour it as a prospective student, the university and the city of Richmond made a strong impression on her. She found a place that was vibrant and exciting, diverse and community oriented.

A woman with black hair and gold necklace stands in front of Cabell Library on V C U's Monroe Park campus

April 11, 2023

Class of 2023: Honors Student Finds Her footing with an Interdisciplinary Approach and a New Interest in Research

In the end, things have a way of working out – that’s one adage that Emma Geisler, a Virginia Commonwealth University Honors College student who will graduate this spring with a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies from University College, knows from experience.

A woman wearing a white top and brown pants stands in front of Cabell Library on V C U's Monroe Park campus

March 21, 2023

Two Honors Students Receive Prestigious Language Scholarships

Two students from the Virginia Commonwealth University Honors College have been selected for the highly competitive Critical Language Scholarship and CLS Spark Program, which will allow them to study languages abroad with the goal of helping improve U.S. diplomatic relationships.

A man with brown hair wearing a dark blue sweater; a man with black hair wearing a dark blue polo shirt

February 23, 2023

Honors Students Collaborate with Peers and Win National Award for Project Focused on Supporting Children with Incarcerated Parents

The Virginia Commonwealth University chapter of Phi Kappa Phi, a national honors society, has received an award for a service-learning project that allowed members of the VCU chapter to help support children attending Richmond public schools who have incarcerated parents.

Two Honors students hold hand-made cards that were given to R P S students with incarcerated parents.

February 9, 2023

Nine Honors Stuudents, Recent Alums Named Fulbright Semifinalists

Nine Virginia Commonwealth University Honors College students and recent alumni have been named semifinalists for the Fulbright U.S. Student Program for the 2023-2024 academic year. 

Fulbright Scholars logo

February 2, 2023

Two Honors Faculty Members Receive Grant to Create Learning Modules Around Health Inequities, Disparities

Two Honors College faculty members have received a grant to create interdisciplinary-learning modules around health and healthcare disparities and inequities. Mary Boyes, Honors College Associate Professor, and Faye Prichard, Honors College Assistant Professor, were announced as recipients of the Virginia Commonwealth University Humanities Research Center Health Humanities Lab Faculty and Community Fellows initiative in late January.

A headhsot of Faye Prichard wearing a black blouse and earrings; a photo of Mary Boyes wearing a black blouse

December 15, 2022

Six Honors Students, Recent Alumni Receive National, International Scholarships and Fellowships

Over the last year, 21 Virginia Commonwealth University students and recent alumni have been awarded prestigious national and international scholarships and fellowships – helping them advance their studies and careers in fields ranging from public policy and foreign affairs to STEM.

Six photos og Honors College students who received nation and international scho

December 12, 2022

Honors College Bestows Honors to 34 Graduates at Fall Commencement

The Virginia Commonwealth University Honors College bestowed Honors to 34 graduates, the highest academic accolade given to VCU undergraduate students, at its Fall 2022 commencement ceremony on Friday, December 9.

The Honors Fall 2022 graduating class stadning in front of the Honors College building wearing full regalia

November 4, 2022

Honors Alum Seeks to Become Agent of Change Through Courts

When Maryum Elnasseh would travel with her family back to their home country of Egypt as a child, she started to see the difference between her life back in Richmond and the lives of kids her same age in Egypt. And it did not sit well. 

Maryum standing with former Robertson School of Media and Culture Chair, Hong Cheng and Robertson School donor Rick Robertson

October 27, 2022

Honors Student Makes Memories, Finds Fullfilment in Helping Fellow Students

Read how Jessemia Meekins has found fulfillment in serving as an Honors teaching assistant, her favorite memories in Honors thus far, her plans after graduation and more!

A woman sitting in a field of sunflowers

October 1, 2022

Honors Student Gives Back Through Internship

Avani Venkatesh became involved with the nonprofit The Giving Square when she was a freshman at VCU. The organization helps students from Title I schools, which are schools in which children from low-income families make up at least 40% of enrollment, learn about philanthropy and social justice.

A woman weraing a colorful blouse standing beside a painted brick wall

August 23, 2022

A Message from the Dean: Welcome Back, Honors Students

For some of you, this week marks a welcome return to a place you know well, while for others it will be the start of your academic journey—but either way, I speak for everyone in the Honors College when I say that we are thrilled to have you on campus and as part of our Honors community.

A man wearing a black suit jacket, white dress shirt and red tie.

August 9, 2022

Honors Student, Faculty Member Research How to Address the School to Prison Pipeline

Rana Ansari has always been drawn to examining the disparities–in trying to close gaps and bring equity and opportunity closer for all. When she was in high school Rana took an interest in examining the disparities that affected the refugee community in her hometown of Spotsylvania.

Two photos: On the left a woman wearing a purple shirt with a black jacket and on the right a woman wearing a patterned shirt standing in front of a body of water

July 12, 2022

Honors Student, Faculty Member Collaborate to Study How to Improve HIV Education

Isaiah Mamo wants to help reshape the way people become informed about HIV in hopes of helping shed the stigmas around the virus and leading to better prevention practices. 

Two photos: Photo 1) A man with dark curly hair wearing a patterned sweater Photo 2) A person wearing a light blue dress shirt with a striped tie and vest

June 2, 2022

Honors Student Selected for Prestigious STEM Scholarship

MiJin Cho, a junior in the Virginia Commonwealth University Honors College studying psychology and English in the College of Humanities and Sciences, has been selected as a recipient of the Goldwater Scholarship, a prestigious national scholarship for undergraduate science, technology, engineering and mathematics students.

A woman wearing a beige turtle neck with fall faoilage in the background

May 13, 2022

Honors College Bestows Honors to 182 Graduates at Spring Commencement

The Virginia Commonwealth University Honors College bestowed Honors to 182 graduates, the highest academic accolade given to VCU undergraduate students, at its Spring 2022 commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 12.

Honors Spring 2022 graduates sit in the Siegel Center during commencement

May 3, 2022

Honors Student Spotlight: Nikki Novak

Meet Nikki Novak an Honors student majoring in environmental studies who spent her a semester abroad.

A young woman wearing a VCU Global Education shirt

April 27, 2022

Honors Students Receive Prestigious Award from VCU President

Three Virginia Commonwealth University Honors College students have received a prestigious award from VCU President Michael Rao, Ph.D. for notable contributions to community and multicultural enrichment.

Emma Geislet and MiJin Cho stand with VCU President Michael Rao

April 26, 2022

Software Industry Leader, Honors Alum to serve as Spring 2022 Graduation Speaker

Andrea Goulet, a national leader in empathy centered software design and Honors alumna, will serve as the commencement speaker at the Virginia Commonwealth University HonorsCollege Spring 2022 Commencement Ceremony.

Andrea Goulet headshot where she is wearing a pink blouse with yellow and green circle earrings

April 19, 2022

Class of 2022: Honors Student Wants to Help Advance Research on LGBT+ Issues

Sometimes all that it takes is a push. When Steph Cull first came to Virginia Commonwealth University to pursue an undergraduate degree, they had no interest in research.

A person with dyed blue hair wearing a blue shirt in front of the V C U sign on Franklin St

April 12, 2022

Honors Student Named Emerging Scholar of the Year

A Virginia Commonwealth University Honors College student has been named the 2022 Emerging Honors Scholar of the Year by the Virginias Collegiate Honors Council.

Associate Dean Jackie SMith Mason with four Honors College students at the VCHC

April 1, 2022

Honors Student Spotlight: Taya Coates

Meet Taya Coates! Taya is a Junior Honors student who is majoring in Fashion Merchandising and Mass Communications. She also serves as the executive editor-in-chief of the student-run Honors online magazine, Le Monde

Taya Coates sits on a picnic bench wearing a white dress

March 8, 2022

Honors student starts club to assist refugees in Richmond, raise awareness

Vineeth Vaidyula knows how difficult it can be for individuals and families who are resettling in the U.S. The son of immigrants, Vaidyula has seen firsthand through his volunteer work in the Richmond community that resettling in a new country can be one of the most challenging things any person or family can endure.

A young man wearing a blue button-up shirt with columns in the background.

February 1, 2022

Honors KnitWits Stitch Beanies for Afghan Refugees

When Alison Zieleman learned about the Afghan refugee crisis, she wanted to try and help in any way she could. And one way she and her peers knew they could help was through their collective interest and skill—knitting. 

A student knits a beanie for an Afghan refugee family

January 25, 2022

Honors Student Spotlight: Naima Monif Almajdobah

Read Naima's Q&A to learn about her background, why she chose to join Honors, the VCUArts Qatar campus and more. 

A woman with wearing a brown jumpsuit poses for a photo

December 13, 2021

Honors College Bestows Honors to 41 Graduates at Fall Commencement

The Virginia Commonwealth University Honors College bestowed Honors to 41 graduates, the highest academic accolade given to undergraduate students, at its Fall 2021 commencement ceremony on Friday, December 10.

The Honors College class of Fall 2021 poses for a photograph.

October 26, 2021

Transfer Student Thrives in Honors, Finds Collegiality and Challenge

Things do not always go according to plan. Sara Huffman knows this first hand. But she also knows that just because something does take the first time around doesn’t mean that it won’t take the second time.

A woman wearing a black blouse in front a a mural on a brick wall

October 12, 2021

Honors Student Pursues Medicine Through Guaranteed Admission Program

Ishaan Nandwani is a junior double majoring in Biology and Spanish. His interests have always been interdisciplinary, but he landed on going to medicial school because he was inspired by his aunt, a practicing endocrinologist who graduated from the VCU School of Medicine. 

A young man wearing a white dress shirt and black slacks

October 7, 2021

Honors Student Wants to Help People Through Physical Therapy

Linsey Martin has always wanted to help people. And it was not until she was rehabbing a sports injury when she was younger that she realized that physical therapy had all the elements she was seeking in a career.

A student smiles toward a camera with the James River in the background

September 29, 2021

Honors alum explores the intersection of art and diplomacy as Fulbright Scholar

Colleen Connolly (B.A. Graphic Design & Honors, 2020), did not know how to feel when she read the email informing her that her Fulbright placement had been cancelled by former President Trump’s Executive Order 13936. 

A woman works on a bench overlooking a mountain range.

September 21, 2021

Honors Student Q&A: Raymond Hang Uses Research to Examine Heart Defects

Raymond Hang gets a lot our of conducting undergraduate research, but the most important thing he gets from this is knowing that his work is making a real difference in people's lives. 

Raymond Hang headshot

September 2, 2021

Honors College Students Recognized for Outstanding Research

Thirty-four Honors College students were recognized Thursday, September 2 for completing research projects under the Virginia Commonwealth University Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program.

Ariel image of VCU's compass landmark