VCU College of Humanities and Sciences

09/10/2026

How will redistricting impact the midterm elections?

Alex Keena, associate professor of political science and redistricting expert says the Nov. 3 elections will be a test case for the effectiveness of gerrymandering – and explains why the practice is a riskier strategy than it appears.

Read more. https://bit.ly/4xT8cWA

VCU political science professor and redistricting expert Alex Keena says the Nov. 3 elections will be a test case for the effectiveness of gerrymandering – and explains why the practice is a riskier strategy than it appears.

09/09/2026

As a part of our ongoing America at 250 series, the College of Humanities and Sciences and the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government & Public Affairs recently hosted a symposium, “Virginia at 250: Leadership, Democracy and the Future of Our Commonwealth.”

Bringing together a panel of political leaders and scholars, this panel explored conversations that touched on Virginia's historical and ongoing influence at the state and national levels.

Read the full article. https://bit.ly/46gjurL

Former Governors Wilder and Gilmore join political scholars to assess ‘Virginia at 250.’

09/08/2026

Michael Paarlberg, associate professor of VCU Political Science, was featured on NPR's Morning Edition to discuss the Trump administration’s approach to Venezuela and the country’s upcoming elections. Read the full article here.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio heads to Colombia, Peru and Ecuador as President Trump hails a shift to the right in regional politics and a new era of U.S. dominance.

09/03/2026

According to a November 2018 Pew Research Center report, Americans are more likely to describe conversations across the political divide as “stressful” and “frustrating,” and those that do engage find that they have “less in common” than previously thought.

The Baldacci Institute for Civil Discourse aims to bring us back together. David and Michelle Baldacci committed a joint $13 million gift to VCU and the Library of Virginia to fund a groundbreaking nonpartisan initiative focused on civil discourse. Launching this month, the new Baldacci Institute seeks to strengthen democratic values, nurture civic collaboration, promote a civil exchange of ideas and empower citizens throughout VCU, Richmond and beyond.

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

Americans are more at odds than ever. The Baldacci Institute for Civil Discourse aims to bring us back together.

09/01/2026

Join the VCU Forensic Science department for a screening of Baby Doe, followed by a Q&A with director Jessica Earnshaw and a panel discussion with VCU faculty experts. The film explores the complex story of a woman at the center of a decades-old cold case, examining women’s health, justice, stigma and the forces that shape stories like hers. Register below to attend.

🗓️ Wednesday, September 16 | 6- 8:30pm
📍VCU Student Commons - Commons Theatre

Click the link to register now. https://bit.ly/4zW2J2S

09/01/2026

Photo dump from the first couple weeks of school! 📸

How are we settling in Rams?

09/01/2026

We are so excited to share that Ed Acevedo, Ph.D., will be receiving VCU's Distinguished Service Award at the VCU Faculty Recognition Gala.

Two decades at VCU have taken Ed from chair of the VCU Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences to associate dean for the College of Humanities and Sciences. Along the way, he has built a research record cited more than 4,000 times, work that has run alongside a steady stream of service to VCU.

“He continues to bring a level of excitement and professionalism to the College of Humanities and Sciences, contributing to a foundation of excellence that allows CHS to grow and succeed as a vibrant hub of education and scholarship at VCU.” said Catherine Ingrassia, Ph.D., dean of the College of Humanities and Sciences.

Click to read more. https://bit.ly/3UxQB7N

08/31/2026

A wetland restoration project in Surry County is taking inspiration from work done at VCU Rice Rivers Center. The Nature Conservancy is planning to restore the ecosystem at Sunken Meadow Pond, where a similar dam removal project at Rice Rivers Center 15 years ago showed how quickly fish and wildlife can return.

Read the full story and learn more about the project: https://bit.ly/4qWHjOP

The project faced pushback from residents opposed to draining the pond.

08/28/2026

The third annual Virginia Government Simulation (VGS) is coming to the Virginia State Capitol October 20–22! Undergraduate students from across Virginia will experience the legislative process firsthand through caucus meetings, leadership elections, committee work, floor debates and voting.

No prior experience is required, and students of any major or political affiliation are welcome. Scan the QR code or click the link to register. https://bit.ly/4qJnlHi

08/27/2026

The best time was had at the first ever CHS Trivia Night! Y'all blew us away -- 200 students strong. It was a night of new friends, plenty of pizza, and bragging rights. ... Though only one of you got this correct: Which Richmond native ran a Civil War-era espionage ring so effective that Ulysses S. Grant personally thanked her for the war's most valuable intelligence out of Richmond? (Do you know???) At the end of the evening, prizes were won and glory was claimed by the Little Einsteins, with runner-ups The Swagapinos, Cookie Monsters, and Little Caesar's. Something tells us that we need to host another one ... January?