The Robertson School of Communication

09/10/2026

Hey current Robertson students! 👋

Quick favor. We want your honest input, but we know your time is tight.

Could you drop 1 minute of your time into this super short survey? It helps us make decisions that directly benefit you.

➡️ Survey link: https://forms.gle/Nkc7y6CFMgpjBPQy9

Thanks a ton for throwing in your two cents! 💬

09/07/2026

What happens when you trust your creative instincts and take on a film project completely solo? 🎬

For Robertson Class of ’25 graduate Suchi Gupta, it meant writing, producing, shooting, and editing her experimental film Tiger entirely on her own.

That massive effort paid off big time: Tiger was recently selected as a finalist for NewFilmmakers New York, the city's longest-running year-round film festival! 🏆

We sat down with Suchi to talk about:
▪️ Balancing strategic advertising with high-concept experimental film
▪️ Overcoming self-doubt as a first-time director
▪️ How cross-training at Robertson prepared her to wear every hat on set

"In the professional industry, you often have to cater to limitations," Suchi shared. "This was the one chance to just do everything creative-wise that I’ve wanted to do for so long."

Read the full story to learn more about Suchi's journey and what's next as she awaits the final festival screening results this fall: https://blogs.vcu.edu/robertson/2026/09/03/robertson-school-graduate-earns-finalist-ranking-in-competitive-new-york-film-festival/

09/05/2026

🎬 Be one of the first to see this head-spinning true crime documentary 🎬

The VCU College of Humanities and Sciences is hosting an exclusive screening of the gripping documentary Baby Doe, directed by Jessica Earnshaw and executive-produced by award-winning actress Sarah Paulson.

Following the screening, join us for an in-depth panel discussion featuring director Jessica Earnshaw, local experts, and Robertson’s own Associate Professor Robert Milazzo.

Baby Doe tells the harrowing true story of Gail Ritchey, a young woman from a conservative community in rural Ohio who gave birth alone and left her newborn in the woods 30 years ago. Now a devoted mother of three, her quiet suburban life is suddenly shattered when modern DNA evidence links her to the infamous cold case of "Geauga’s Child," leading to her arrest for murder.

📺 Watch the Baby Doe - Trailer to get a look at this powerful film: http://babydoefilm.com/

📅 Wednesday, September 16 @ 6:00 PM
📍 VCU Commons Theatre
🎟 RSVP: https://ow.ly/qFaj50ZIwrj.

09/03/2026

🎥 An exclusive opportunity with a giant of investigative journalism! 🎥

You are invited to an exclusive event with Raney Aronson-Rath, the Executive Producer and Editor-in-Chief of PBS flagship investigative documentary series, FRONTLINE | PBS

Aronson-Rath leads one of the most influential newsrooms in documentary journalism. Under her leadership, FRONTLINE has earned top honors, including Academy, Emmy, and Peabody Awards, for hard-hitting international reporting and relentless investigative accountability.

📅 Tuseday, September 15th at 2:00 PM
📍 Where: VPM (Virginia Public Media) Headquarters at 15 E. Broad. Within a mile of Robertson School and accessible by bus or car.
⚠️ Space is limited
👉 Link to RSVP now: https://forms.gle/5zAFSGGeNra4FqDX9

For Robertson School students looking to break into investigative reporting, documentary filmmaking, or media leadership, this is a direct, unmatched opportunity to learn how major stories get made, how the media industry is evolving, and see what it takes to produce award-winning work!

09/02/2026

📻 Go behind the mic! Exclusive Summit Media Radio Station Tour 📻

Ready to see how a major broadcasting network operates behind the scenes? We are hosting an exclusive, behind-the-scenes tour of the Summit Media radio station!

This is a golden opportunity to see professional audio production in action. If you are learning to craft compelling narratives and master communication tools in the classroom, getting inside a real station is the perfect way to see how those skills translate to the airwaves.

📅 Thursday, September 10th at 3:00 PM
📍 Where: Summit Media Radio Station
⚠️ Space is limited
👉 RSVP now: https://forms.gle/ys96c6kQ9cwCEhue8

08/27/2026

🤖 How is AI actually shaping the workplace? The answer might be right here in Richmond 💼

Our very own Joshua Smith, an associate professor at VCU who teaches classes on artificial intelligence, recently shared some fascinating insights with the Richmond Times-Dispatch about how local businesses in Richmond are navigating the rapid rise of AI.

According to Professor Smith, individual employees are likely experimenting with AI much more than their company leaders realize. Staffers often "dabble" with tools to rewrite emails or build new workflows before official company policies are even established. Meaning best practices are trickling upward to shape eventual company standards.

He also points out why official business surveys might not be showing the full picture. With the Pew Research Center reporting that half of Americans are currently more concerned than excited about the increased use of AI in daily life, this is causing some hesitancy to be completely transparent. Some business leaders may have self-censored the responses to the surveys out of an abundance of caution.

"If you read malicious AI headlines, are you going to give me the whole truth and nothing but the truth?" Smith said in the article.

🔗 Check out the full article, subscription needed, and join the conversation: richmond.com/news/local/business/article_dc99621f-6218-44a6-9b1c-b115ffa2efd1.html

According to a survey, just 16% of local companies actively use AI in their day-to-day operations.

08/26/2026

👉 Ready to turn your creative ideas into real-world campaigns?

If you've been looking for more ways to build a standout portfolio, gain hands-on job experience, and connect with the advertising industry, the Advertising Club at VCU is for you!

📅 TODAY, Wednesday, August 26th
⏰ 2 – 4 PM
📍 Room 2211 in Temple
🤫 Food will be there too

Joining Ad Club is one of the best ways to be proactive in your career journey. Whether you want to develop your skills in strategic planning, network with industry professionals or collaborate on exciting creative projects.

Psst… and remember, club involvement and the real-world projects you’ll be working on count as experience when you're launching your career! 🚀✨

08/22/2026

🍦 What a start to the semester! Thanks for stopping by, Rams! 🎨

It was great connecting with so many of you on Shafer Street today for the VCU College of Humanities and Sciences Welcome Back Block Party! From the snow cones and tie-dye to the games and giveaways, the energy was unmatched. Meeting our students at kickoff events like this is always the highlight of our week as we help you prepare to turn your creative visions into reality.

There are more VCU Welcome Week events like Reel at the Ram (Showing Pitch Perfect) on Sunday night, and CHS Trivia Night on Wednesday. To find out more, visit the official CHS Welcome Back Block Party page. https://chs.vcu.edu/events/event-items/chs-welcome-back-block-party.html 🐏✨

08/19/2026

📸 Thanks for a great first day, Robertson! 🍩

Huge thanks to everyone who stopped by to meet our new Director, Dr. Brian G. Smith, to share your goals and visit the newly renovated 2208 suite.

If you missed us on Tuesday, don't worry! We are doing it all again this Wednesday, August 19, from 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM. Whether you’re just beginning your "exciting transition" into the Robertson School or you're a senior preparing for the professional world, come say hi!

We’ll have fresh bagels, coffee, juice, and pastries waiting for you. 🚀☕️

08/17/2026

🤝 Meet Robertson School's director Dr. Brian G. Smith, and get some grub 🍩

📅 Tuesday Aug. 18 & Wednesday Aug. 19 | First days of classes!
⏰ Time: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
📍 Location: Our newly renovated collaborative space in the 2208 suite

Kick off the new semester and the first days of class by joining us for a special meet-and-greet with our Robertson School Director, Dr. Brian G. Smith!

☕️🍩 We’ll have plenty of bagels, coffee, juice, and pastries to fuel the first days of class! Come say hi, grab a coffee, see your new favorite space, and get to know our director.