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When did it become hard to have a conversation? For many Americans, the idea of speaking with someone with opposing view...
09/04/2026

When did it become hard to have a conversation? For many Americans, the idea of speaking with someone with opposing viewpoints has become fraught. Gone are the days when folks could share a joke with their neighbor, regardless of the political sign on their front lawn. 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. Is this a problem? And if so, what to do about it?

Bestselling author David Baldacci and his wife, Michelle, have given this issue a lot of thought.

“I have long felt that we need to draw people together in a civil manner and learn to have frank and respectful dialogue with those with whom we have differences,” said David Baldacci, a VCU alum.

To aid in that effort, the Baldaccis committed a joint $13 million gift to VCU and the Library of Virginia to fund a groundbreaking nonpartisan initiative focused on civil discourse. Launching in September of 2026, 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://www.news.vcu.edu/article/talking-across-the-divide

Jean Wu, M.D., will never forget the reaction from her family doctor during an appointment when she was about 12 years o...
09/04/2026

Jean Wu, M.D., will never forget the reaction from her family doctor during an appointment when she was about 12 years old.

“I specifically remember my parents taking me to the doctor, who appeared visibly concerned, but uncertain what to do next,” said Wu, now a third-year psychiatry resident at VCU Health. “The response was essentially ‘You’re below where you’re supposed to be and you need to eat more.’ What were we supposed to do with that?”

Wu, like an estimated 9% of the U.S. population, was experiencing an eating disorder. Despite the lack of guidance from her physician, Wu’s family and teachers helped her get into therapy and after about a year she was in recovery. When she became a student at the VCU School of Medicine on the MCV Campus in 2020, that experience helped her recognize gaps in medical training that leave many doctors feeling unprepared when it comes to working with patients with eating disorders.

Read more: https://www.news.vcu.edu/article/learning-to-care-for-patients-with-eating-disorders

09/04/2026

October 1 is Financial Aid Day! 🎓

Need help with the FAFSA or VASA? Get free application support and take the next step toward paying for college.

📅 October 1
💰 Free FAFSA & VASA applications

Don’t miss out on financial aid opportunities!
https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa

Maurice “Moeflowz” Brown is a man of letters – and numbers.In April, Brown was named one of two new poet laureates for R...
09/04/2026

Maurice “Moeflowz” Brown is a man of letters – and numbers.

In April, Brown was named one of two new poet laureates for Richmond, a program that supports the city’s arts communities. But at VCU, Brown is known as well for his numerical pursuits: He earned his Ph.D. in systems modeling and analysis from the VCU College of Humanities and Sciences in 2022 and teaches math in the VCU School of Business.

Brown has always enjoyed writing but became more intentional about poetry during his U.S. Army service. After his first Richmond poetry performance in the early 2000s, he combined his passions for poetry and business by founding Ink & Barrel, which highlights spoken-word poetry. Brown also serves as associate director of the Writer’s Den RVA, a collective that offers open-mic events, poetry slams and other creative showcases.

As one of the city’s poet laureates – colleague Rosa Castellano also has VCU ties (see sidebar) – Brown will serve as a cultural ambassador, supporting the Richmond community through poetry and storytelling while developing projects that connect residents and champion literacy.

Read more: https://www.news.vcu.edu/article/maurice-moeflowz-brown-puts-poetry-in-motion

09/03/2026

“My favorite thing about myself is everything.” The statement came from a 17-year-old Richmond girl who participated in a recently published study examining the lived experiences of Black girls in Virginia's capital city.

“Too often, conversations about Black girls begin with challenges and deficits,” said Nakeina E. Douglas-Glenn, Ph.D., a professor and director of the Research Institute for Social Equity at . “We wanted to create space for Black girls to tell their own stories and help us understand the strengths, assets and support systems that shape their lives.”

🔗 Read more about the study's findings here: https://bit.ly/4x3O7LO

A team of VCU School of Medicine on the MCV Campus faculty and medical students helped turn a common frustration for pat...
09/03/2026

A team of VCU School of Medicine on the MCV Campus faculty and medical students helped turn a common frustration for patients with eye disease into a new Virginia law.

Virginia House Bill 490, which took effect on July 1, requires health insurance providers to cover early refills of prescription eye drops when the medication is already covered by the patient’s plan, at least 85% of the previous bottle has been used and the prescribing clinician authorizes the refill. The law addresses a longstanding challenge for patients who often exhaust eye drop bottles before insurance companies allow a refill.

Read more: https://www.news.vcu.edu/article/vcu-medical-faculty-and-students-advocate-for-law-that-helps-patients-manage-their-eye-conditions

Psychedelic drugs show promise for treating a range of mental health conditions, but they often carry physical side effe...
09/03/2026

Psychedelic drugs show promise for treating a range of mental health conditions, but they often carry physical side effects such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Researchers at VCU have developed a psychedelic drug candidate that could retain the therapeutic benefits while minimizing the downside.

Psychedelics like psilocybin and L*D are best known for their ability to alter a person’s mental state, and such drugs are increasingly being explored to treat post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety and addiction. The VCU team’s latest study showed that by selectively targeting certain brain receptors, the compound they developed showed promising preclinical results in reducing depressive and anxiety-like behavior without causing gastrointestinal side effects.

Read more: https://www.news.vcu.edu/article/psychedelic-drug-candidate-could-boost-mental-health-while-preserving-gut-health

Jazlyn is a student, mother, and gardener who recently added an unexpected item to her resume: researcher.Until transfer...
09/03/2026

Jazlyn is a student, mother, and gardener who recently added an unexpected item to her resume: researcher.

Until transferring to VCU, she “honestly didn’t think about research too often.” That changed when she met Dr. Daeha Joung at a research reception on campus. Jazlyn now works in Dr. Joung’s lab, helping to 3D print a biomaterial that they hope will be used in medical devices.

🔗 Read more here: https://news.vcu.edu/article/undergraduate-researcher-jazlyn-lopez-silva-targets-better-medical-implants

The First Destination Survey has officially launched and we want to hear from the 2026 grads! Whether you have alrea...
09/02/2026

The First Destination Survey has officially launched and we want to hear from the 2026 grads! Whether you have already accepted a job or graduate school offer, are starting a business, volunteering in the community or abroad or are still defining your next steps, we ask that you complete this survey. https://tiny.cc/VCUFDS26

Richmond, VA was recently ranked No. 2 in 's 2026 Cities on the Rise - The 25 Emerging Cities for Jobs and Career Growth...
09/02/2026

Richmond, VA was recently ranked No. 2 in 's 2026 Cities on the Rise - The 25 Emerging Cities for Jobs and Career Growth. That means unprecedented opportunities for success during and after college. 😉

🔗 Read more here: https://bit.ly/4beukS7

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