May 28, 2025
Alum Q&A: Hunter Lee (Honors, '15) Discovers the Magic of a Smile
Hunter Lee credits a lot to his time in Honors. It was in Honors where he learned the value of a good work ethic, critical thinking, community service and more. Since graduating from Honors in 2014, Lee earned multiple advanced degrees and now practices as an orthodontist in his hometown of Hanover, Virginia.
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May 14, 2025
Honors student receives VCU ‘Rising Star’ Student Award; Honors program that supports high-school students through mentorship also wins award
A Virginia Commonwealth University Honors College student has been selected as the recipient of the Rising Star Student Award, an annual award given out by the VCU Student Government Association and the VCU Student Organization Office.
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May 13, 2025
In commencement address, Richmond Mayor encourages Honors spring grads to ‘live with conviction’
Richmond Mayor Dr. Danny Avula challenged the Virginia Commonwealth University Honors College Honors Class of 2025 to ensure that as they pursue their careers to never lose sight of their humanity and the need for connection.
April 29, 2025
Honors students recognized by VCU for contributions to multicultural enrichment
A Virginia Commonwealth University Honors College student has been named the recipient of a VCU Presidential Awards for Community Multicultural Enrichment Award for “exemplary contributions with regard to promoting civility, building community, establishing cross-cultural initiatives, and nurturing an inclusive environment throughout the university and area communities.”
April 24, 2025
Class of 2025: Jenna Hallinger gets her hands around history
Jenna Hallinger is happiest when she is outside – preferably covered in dirt and digging in a hole.
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April 23, 2025
Class of 2025: Esha Sharma finds harmony through humanities and hard science
Esha Sharma has found much of her undergraduate learning outside the classroom. On Virginia Commonwealth University’s academic and medical campuses, she has participated in more than a half-dozen research projects – with topics as varied as blood-flow-related injuries, the bone structure of primates and using zebrafish to study leukemia.
April 17, 2025
45 Honors College students present research and creative scholarship at prestigious showcase
On subjects ranging from telemedicine to fashion and handwriting to domestic violence, 45 students from Virginia Commonwealth University’s Honors College presented their research and creative scholarship last week in Pittsburgh at the National Conference for Undergraduate Research.
February 26, 2025
Honors College students show off research and creative scholarship – and 36 are heading to the national stage
Health care inequities in rural and urban communities. Female representation in mass media. Artificial intelligence in medical engineering. Remote work and its effects on employee well-being. These and numerous other subjects were spotlighted by students recently at Virginia Commonwealth University’s second annual Honors College Research and Creative Scholarship Symposium.
February 26, 2025
Honors College junior Alexandria Davis channels her foster care background into a drive for achievement – and support for others
Alexandria Davis’ path to Virginia Commonwealth University was far from linear. Growing up in the foster care system on the other side of the country, she bounced around, navigating multiple moves as well as personal and financial challenges.
December 2, 2024
Class of 2024: Nearby and far away, Kathleen Russo expands her horizons and commitment
Kathleen Russo blended her interests in medicine, language, research and travel to broaden her worldview at Virginia Commonwealth University.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
May 3, 2022
Honors Student Spotlight: Nikki Novak
Meet Nikki Novak an Honors student majoring in environmental studies who spent her a semester abroad.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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.
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.
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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.
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.
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.
