VCU Honors summer program propels undergraduate student's research

Aug. 18, 2026

For many rising sophomores in college, summer meant getting to put your feet into the ocean. For Melody Ngo, it meant, as she said, “getting to dip your toes into the field of research.”

Recent Honors alum receives NSF fellowship

July 16, 2026

A Virginia Commonwealth University Honors College alum has been selected for the 2026 National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program, a prestigious national initiative that helps graduate students advance their studies in STEM-based disciplines.

Honors Alum Q&A: Elizabeth Bambacus

June 2, 2026

Elizabeth Bambacus (Honors, '07), Ph.D., leads You First at Virginia Commonwealth University, where she helps first-generation students, faculty and staff navigate higher education.

In commencement address, Richmond artist encourages Honors Class of 2026 to take fear of failure head-on, bridge divisions

May 8, 2026

Richmond artist and gallery owner Ed Trask told the Virginia Commonwealth University Honors College class of 2026 that fear is a given, but it should not get in their way as they pursue their next chapters after graduation. 

Honors student named Virginias Honors Scholar of the Year at annual conference

May 12, 2026

The Virginia Commonwealth University Honors College was well represented this year at the annual Virginias Collegiate Honors Council. 

Class of 2026: In hopes of sharing more good karma, Harrish Ganesh heads to medical school

April 30, 2026

Harrish Ganesh often thinks about the lesson his mom instilled in him as a kid. At the time, it was somewhat lost on him, but as he grew older, his mother’s wisdom served as his North Star.

More than 250 Honors students present research at prestigious conference

April 22, 2026

Virginia Commonwealth University, for the first time in its history, hosted the largest and most prestigious undergraduate research conference in the country this week.

Class of 2026: Honors student finds harmony at both piano and computer keyboards

April 13, 2026

Whether it’s code or a chord, the feeling of satisfaction is what drives Kel Raphael.

Honors student selected for prestigious Goldwater Scholarship

April 8, 2026

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

Student-led PECS program lends a hand to Richmond-area college applicants

April 6, 2026

PECS is flexing its muscle at Virginia Commonwealth University: In the past year, the student-led nonprofit has expanded its support of potential college applicants in Richmond-area schools.

56 Honors students present research, creative scholarship at annual Honors Symposium–all are now headed to the national stage to present

Feb. 16, 2026

Homelessness. Personality disorders. Inflammatory skin conditions. Postpartum mental health. These and numerous other subjects were spotlighted by students recently at Virginia Commonwealth University’s second annual Honors College Research and Creative Scholarship Symposium.

Shadowing experience helps Honors student explore life as an OBGYN

Feb. 10, 2026

Keila Arias Ramos recently had the opportunity to shadow a physician in a field of medicine she hopes to one day pursue. Ramos, who is a sophomore Biology major in the Honors College, walked away from the experience with some new insight into life as a physician.

Honors student discovers passion for pediatric care through internship

Jan. 21, 2026

Sanjana Gupta recently wrapped up an internship at a pediatric mental health center. It was through this experience that Gupta, who is majoring in Health, Physical Education and Exercise Science, was able to assist in a clinical setting and affirm her career choice to work with helping children. Read more about her experience below. 

Honors twins are a double-dose of health care service as EMTs and researchers

Oct. 27, 2025

If you call 911 in Richmond, the emergency medical technicians who arrive might have you seeing double. That’s because identical twins Akash and Arjun Jagdeesh, who are seniors in Virginia Commonwealth University’s Honors College, could respond to help you.

Honors student takes research to the national stage

Oct. 7, 2025

India Cox, an Honors College junior majoring in Psychology in the College of Humanities and Sciences, recently had the opportunity to present her research at a national conference.

A summer internship showed this Honors student the power AI has to transform healthcare

Sept. 25, 2025

Rhea Chatterjee, an Honors College junior majoring in Bioinformatics in the College of Humanities and Sciences, spent her summer immersed in artificial intelligence and observing how is reshaping healthcare.

Recent Honors alum publishes research in medical journal 

Sept. 15, 2025

Ashna Deshpande, a recent Honors College alum who graduated with degrees in Biology and Psychology in the College of Humanities and Sciences, has been busy since graduating.

A summer in medicine: Honors Junior takes part in prestigious internship

Sept. 10, 2025

Justin Wade, a junior in the Honors College majoring in Biology in the College of Humanities and Sciences, spent his summer learning more about a career in medicine through a prestigious internship program housed out of the University of Virginia.

VCU summer program puts two heads together for migraine research

Aug. 19, 2025

Sunwoo Kim spent the summer studying headaches. Not the take-two-aspirin kind of headache, but the type of migraine that leaves thousands of people unable to function in day-to-day activities.

Get to know the newest Honors Faculty Member, Chris Rudeen, Ph.D.

Aug. 13, 2025

This fall semester the Honors College is excited to welcome a new faculty member to our ranks, Chris Rudeen, Ph.D.

Honors Alums Selected for Fulbright

July 23, 2025

Two recent Virginia Commonwealth University Honors College alums have been selected for the Fulbright U.S. Student Program – one of the most competitive and prestigious scholarships in the country – for the 2025-26 academic year. 

Alum Q&A: Hunter Lee (Honors '15) Discovers the Magic of a Smile

May 28, 2025

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.

Honors student receives VCU ‘Rising Star’ Student Award; Honors program that supports high-school students through mentorship also wins award

May 14, 2025

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. 

In commencement address, Richmond Mayor encourages Honors spring grads to ‘live with conviction’

May 13, 2025

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.

Honors students recognized by VCU for contributions to multicultural enrichment

April 29, 2025

Three Virginia Commonwealth University Honors College students have been named the recipients 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.”

Class of 2025: Jenna Hallinger gets her hands around history

April 24, 2025

Jenna Hallinger is happiest when she is outside – preferably covered in dirt and digging in a hole.

Class of 2025: Esha Sharma finds harmony through humanities and hard science

April 23, 2025

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.

45 Honors College students present research and creative scholarship at prestigious showcase

April 17, 2025

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.

Honors College students show off research and creative scholarship – and 36 are heading to the national stage

Feb. 26, 2025

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.

Honors College junior Alexandria Davis channels her foster care background into a drive for achievement – and support for others

Feb. 25, 2025

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.

Class of 2024: Nearby and far away, Kathleen Russo expands her horizons and commitment

Dec. 2, 2024

Kathleen Russo blended her interests in medicine, language, research and travel to broaden her worldview at Virginia Commonwealth University.

The opportunity to present research at the national and state level helped this Honors student further her research, interest in medicine

Nov. 6, 2024

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. 

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

Sept. 13, 2024

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.

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

Aug. 29, 2024

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. 

A recent study abroad experience proved transformative for this Honors student

Aug. 22, 2024

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.

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

Aug. 13, 2024

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

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

May 20, 2024

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. 

Honors College bestows honors to near record number of graduates

May 10, 2024

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. 

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

May 7, 2024

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

Two Honors students selected for prestigious Goldwater Scholarships

April 19, 2024

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.

Honors College hosts Inaugural Research and Creative Scholarship Symposium; 26 students go on to present at national conference on undergraduate research 

Feb. 26, 2024

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. 

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

Feb. 22, 2024

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