At the program's start, participants complete an intensive leadership assessment, including personality style inventories and 360° Feedback. Throughout the program, participants examine how their individual styles and behaviors impact their colleagues and workplace environment. A significant portion of the interactive sessions and program materials will deal with professional leadership skill development.

Participants will learn about the challenges facing higher education institutions, specifically VCU. University administrators will participate in the program as panelists and in discussions with participants. Topics will include a full range of academic, medical center, and administrative issues.

Participants will have the opportunity to meet individually with a senior-level University leader during multiple encouraged meetings. During these meetings, mentors and participants may discuss leadership challenges, share perspectives on VCU, and/or focus on the participant's individual development.

Participants work in teams to address issues of current importance to the University. Together with a team sponsor from upper administration, these interdisciplinary teams carry out a project during the course of the program. The interdisciplinary nature of the teams provides excellent opportunities for learning new perspectives and networking across campuses. Project teams also provide a venue for applying new skills and developing creative strategies for solving problems, as well as a laboratory for working in a diverse team

Team RAMbassadors - CommUNity RAMgagement: VCU Festival of the Arts

View Project: A Creative Communities Showcase: Community Engagement through Creativity and Interaction

The proposed project aims to align with VCU's Quest 2028 vision to seek community partnerships and opportunities to elevate awareness and collaborative action between VCU and communities. The VCU Festival of the Arts (VFOTA) is envisioned to embody community engagement and collaborative excellence. Drawing inspiration from established and successful art fairs, VFOTA fosters direct artist-audience interaction, promotes enrichment, and can highlight student accomplishments and education. Celebrating diverse artistic expression, the VFOTA can support regional talent and the local arts ecosystem that can enhance community well-being. Through initiatives like the VFOTA, VCU can demonstrate its UNwavering dedication to fostering thriving communities.

Members

• Stephen Barr, Director of Business Services, VCU Business Services
• Paula Coates, Assistant Professor, School of Dentistry
• Laxmikant Deshpande, Professor, School of Medicine
• Faika Zanjani, Professor, College of Health Professions

Team Sponsor(s)

• Magnus Johnsson, Senior Associate Vice President for Development
• Dean Carmenita Higginbotham, VCU Arts Dean

 

Team MCVips - VCU Health & Wellness Fair

View Project:  UNlocking Community Health Together

This project proposes the creation of a VCU Health and Wellness Fair, in partnership with both academic campuses, VCUHS, and local community organizations. With over ten health science degree programs available at VCU, our institution is well-positioned to lead a collaborative effort aimed at enhancing community health and well-being. By leveraging the expertise of our students and faculty, we aim to address key health concerns and promote preventative healthcare and wellness practices.

Members

• Aamir Khan, Assistant Professor, VCU Health System
• Lexie Lewis, Program Manager, College of Health Professions
• Abby Matulewicz, Associate Dean for Admissions and Strategic Engagement, School of Pharmacy
• Fahim Thawer, Fellow Physician, Children’s Hospital of Richmond
• Hannah Turazzo, Executive Assistant, School of Nursing
• Malorie Burkett, Director of Marketing and Communications, College of Health Professions

Sponsor(s)

• Alison Jones, AVP for Academic Operations & Strategy

 

Team Rams Safety - Enhancing Public Safety at Virginia Commonwealth University

View Project: UNImaginably Safe

The authors of this report will conduct a comprehensive evaluation of safety and security measures on both Virginia Commonwealth University campuses (VCU) in comparison to those of similar urban research institutions (N=10). This evaluation will provide campus leaders with recommendations for proactive strategies, community partnerships, and ongoing evaluation through which VCU can increase both actual and perceived safety for members of VCU and neighboring communities.

Members

• Rigby Bendele, Associate Director of Advising, College of Humanities and Science
• Les Harrison, Chair, College of Humanities and Science
• Oswaldo Moreno, Associate Professor, College of Humanities and Science
• Chernoh Wurie, Assistant Professor, L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs
• Carolina Yaber, Associate Professor, College of Humanities and Science

Sponsor(s)

• Chief John Venuti, VCU Police

 

Team UNified - UNderstanding the Impacts of UNified Administrative Service Delivery

View Project: Exploring opportunities to utilize shared services for Finance, HR, and IT

Team UNified is exploring how the current Finance, HR, and IT reporting structures function across the university. Currently, each unit independently manages how these services are delivered. Team UNified posits the current model may lead to issues such as inconsistent customer service, noncompliance with university policies and procedures, and fewer promotional opportunities within those job families. We plan to interview key stakeholders, review the current organizational structure, analyze internal turnover data, and benchmark against other institutions. Based on the results of our research, we will document the potential risks related to the current model and offer recommendations for where it may be beneficial to transition to a centralized or shared services model for Finance, HR, and IT at VCU.

Members

• Keith Van Inwegen, Assistant Director of Design, Division of Administration
• Megan Wood, Project Manager, Office of the VP of Administration
• Nick Fetzer, Assistant Vice Provost for Finance and Administration, Provost & VP for Academic Affairs
• Garret Knudson, Director of Student-Athlete Development, Student-Athlete Support Services
• David Patrick, Assistant Director, Office of Budget, Analysis, and Financial Planning
• Lanee Prentice, Director of People Operations and Employee Experience, School of Education

Sponsor(s)

• William Nelson, Senior Vice Provost for Academic Administration and Operations
• Allison Miller, Chief Human Resources Officer

 

Team Discover Destiny - Unlocking Undeniable Talent at VCU

View Project: Unlocking Undeniable Talent at VCU: Bold, Connected, Future-Ready

To unlock the undeniable talent within the VCU community, our team aims to enhance the student internship experience at the university. We plan to equip students with tailored internship guidance, consolidating resources for comprehensive career preparation. By providing insights into relevant opportunities and effective strategies, we empower students to unleash their full potential. Our vision is to enable meaningful professional experiences, fostering success beyond graduation.

Members

• Kenda Boone, Director of Story Telling, Enterprise Marketing and Communications
• Tabatha Dunlap, Assistant Director of Finance, School of the Arts
• Aaron Jones, University Development Officer, Office of Development and Alumni Relations
• Nicole Porter, Director of Export Compliance , Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation
• Khaleliah Williams, Assistant Director Gift Accounting, Office of Development and Alumni Relations

Sponsor(s)

• Samara Reynolds, Executive Director, VCU Career Services
• Danielle Pearles, Senior Associate Director, Employer and Experiential Development

 

Team Affirmation - Wayfinding For All

View Project:  VCU’s Inclusive Digital Map

Quest 2028 challenges us to nurture an institutional culture of care. Team Affirmation supports robust digital wayfinding to ensure accurate information for all members of the VCU community, including those with disabilities. This project collects data about accessible facilities on campus and includes a survey on wayfinding needs, such as accessibility beyond wheelchair accessibility, gender-inclusive facilities, wellness resources, and map iconography to ensure comprehensive data collection and meaningful engagement that informs wayfinding at VCU.

Members

• Yossera Bouchtia, Assistant Professor, School of the Arts
• Serra De Arment, Associate Professor, School of Education
• Mahesh Jonnalagadda, Associate Director, Office of Vice President for Research and Innovation
• Jada Wright, Undergraduate Recruitment Coordinator, School of Education
• Julie Arendt, Science & Engineering Research Librarian, VCU Libraries
• Cynthia Myron, Department Chair & Director of Graduate Studies, School of the Arts

Sponsor(s)

• Cleo Magwaro, Associate Vice President of Equity and Access Services

Team Synergistic Seven: VCU Job Shadowing

View Project: Team Synergistic Seven: VCU Job Shadowing

Job shadowing will support student engagement and prepare them for a career by exposing them to a diverse and inclusive workforce. This program will strengthen the collaboration among faculty, staff, and students, providing opportunities for students and engaging VCU staff within the community, being actively involved, having a sense of purpose, and having holistic development.

Members

• Adam Austin: Senior Communications Specialist, Enterprise Marketing & Communications
• Nora Bloch: Collections Care Librarian, VCU Libraries
• Sue Kurgatt: Radiation Safety Officer, Safety & Risk Management
• Ezrah Medina: Assistant Director of Grants & Contracts Accounting, Controller’s Office
• Erin Pacelli: Nurse Manager, Department of Radiology
• Rebecca Segal: Professor, College of Humanities and Sciences
• Stephanie Thulin: Associate Professor, Department of Kinetic Imaging

Team Sponsor

• Maggie Tolan, Senior Assocoiate Vice President for Student Success

 

Team RUN: VCU Day of Service

View Project: Team RUN: VCU Day of Service

The Day of Service presents an exceptional opportunity to connect VCU students, faculty and staff with non-profit organizations in the Richmond community. The RUN team, in collaboration with the project sponsor, will investigate and propose an effective implementation plan at VCU by developing a toolkit. Factors such as ideal timing, interest from community partners, remote participation, and other relevant considerations will be explored. The benefits extend to both VCU and the Richmond community, fostering local familiarity and peer relationships, providing leadership opportunities, fulfilling community service requirements, granting community partners a day of valuable service, and forging lasting connections.

Members

• Javeria Kazi:
• Jeff D’Ambrosio: Assistant Dean of Academic Finance, School of Medicine
• Ann Deppman: Assistant Vice President of Planned Giving, Development and Alumni Affairs
• Emilie Raymond: Professor, College of Humanities & Science
• Alexander Fisher: Program Promotion and Pre-Admission Specialist, School of Nursing
• Keith Ellis: Associate Professor, Department of Medicinal Chemistry
• LaChelle Waller: Director of Undergraduate Advising & Research, College of Humanities and Sciences
• Cristie Atkins: Executive Director of Finance & Research Administration, College of Health Professions

Team Sponsors

• Joyce Llyod, Associate Dean of the VCU Graduate School 

 

Team Unity: Undergraduate Research at VCU: Strategies to Encourage Faculty Engagement

View Project: Team Unity: Undergraduate Research at VCU: Strategies to Encourage Faculty Engag

VCU's research enterprise hit a record-breaking $400M in sponsored research, but undergraduate student involvement in research has not kept pace. Our project will identify barriers for faculty to include undergraduate students in research. We will interview VCU stakeholders, faculty currently engaged and not currently engaged in undergraduate research to learn about barriers, enablers, and potential strategies to promote faculty engagement. Ultimately, we will propose strategies to incentivize faculty to include undergraduate students in their research.

Members

• Justin Fedoryk: Senior Supervisor of Simulation Technology, School of Medicine
• Laniece Jones: Senior Grants and Contracts Administrator, School of Pharmacy
• Tim Luckritz Marquis: Senior Instructional Design Lead, VCU Online
• Tracy McMullin: Associate Director of Contracts, Division of Sponsored Programs
• Teresa Selgado: Associate Professor, School of Pharmacy
• Meredith Sission: Assistant Director, National Scholarship Office

Team Sponsor

• Herbert Hill, Director of Undergraduate Research 

 

Jimmy Chen: Going the Extra Mile to Increase the Wilder School’s Student Recruitment

View Project: Jimmy Chen: Going the Extra Mile to Increase the Wilder School’s Student Recruit

To align with the VCU Quest 2028 themes and goals, the Wilder School has prepared and will implement a Strategic Plan to guide its development to 2028. In this Strategic Plan, one of the metrics of student success is student enrollment, which has the paramount importance. After the background introduction, this report first conducts a literature review related to the best practices in student enrollment in the U.S. it then gives an overview of the student enrollment data of the five academic programs within the School during the past 5 years.  Afterwards, it makes a series of recommendations on how to go an extra mile in boosting the URSP Program’s graduate student enrollment. Finally, the report summarizes the research findings and draws conclusions.

Members

• Jimmy Chen: Professor, program chair - Urban and Regional Studies and Planning program, Wilder School

Each year, VCU Leadership Development Program participants create a team project to address an issue of current importance to the university community. To answer national calls for racial equity and President Rao's charge to "make equity and inclusion accessible everywhere.” The 2022 VCU Leadership team projects are required to connect to VCU’s Quest 2028: One VCU Together We Transform. Quest 2028 is the next phase in VCU’s rise as an inclusive public research university and healthcare system where accessibility combines with excellence to produce exceptional educational and healing results.  

Ensure Everyone Succeeds

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Students in the post-baccalaureate certificate and graduate programs on the Health Science Campus (MS, PhD, and first professional programs including DDS, PharmD, and MD) are highly motivated to succeed in their chosen career paths. Needless to say, these courses are very heavy on didactics and challenge the best of the students. Typically, these programs have rigid curricular designs and offer little to no flexibility to students in choosing the courses. It is fast-paced, high in curricular hours and the students cannot afford to have mishaps without jeopardizing their careers. While this stringent curriculum is necessary for VCU to maintain its accreditation standards and global standing, it does take a toll on students’ performance and well-being. The Division of Academic Success (DAS) on the Health Science campus provides an excellent support net for these students in terms of identifying and supporting students needing accommodations, teaching time management and study habits, and test taking strategies. Conversations among team members, students and program directors representing different units in the Health Science Campus, as well as discussions with DAS staff, revealed lack of awareness of the comprehensive services provided by the DAS and no standard policy/ guideline across different schools as to when to engage the DAS to help students in need. To improve utilization, this project proposes that DAS focus on three key areas: education and training, promotion and marketing, and redesign and elevation of existing resources.

Members

• Kayla Anderson, Contract and Research Administrator, Division of Sponsored Programs
• Jill Butler, Assistant Professor, Online M.S.W Field Coordinator, School of Social Work
• Leigh Anne Hylton Gravatt, Associate Professor, Vice-Chair of Education, Department of Pharmacotherapy & Outcomes Science, School of Pharmacy
• Parthasarathy Madurantakam, Associate Professor, Department of General Practice, School of Dentistry
• Ingrid Redway, Associate Director of Radiology Nursing & Interventional Services, VCU Health
• Matthew Scott; Assistant Professor, Department of Kinesiology & Health Sciences, College of Humanities & Sciences
• Maria Teves, Assistant Professor, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, School of Medicine

Team Sponsor

• Alison Jones, Associate Vice President for Health Sciences - Academic Operations & Strategy

 

Promoting Health By Strengthening Community Partnerships

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Members

• Alexandria Brown, Health Insurance Specialist
• Alberto Cano, Associate Professor, Computer Science
• Harmeet Chiang, Associate Professor, General Practice
• Mazhar Kanak, Associate Professor, Surgery, Transplant Division
• Bridget Prince, Assistant Director, Academic Coaching, Campus Learning Center
• Erin Wilson, Board and Operations Assistant, Office of President

Team Sponsors

• Sheryl L. Garland, Chief of Health Impact, VCU Health System
• Ryan L. Raisig, Associate Vice President for Coordinated Care and Continuum Integration, VCU Health System

 

VCU Research Festival: From Ideas to Impact

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This project proposes the VCU Research Festival, an interactive and engaging event, showcasing how VCU research transforms theoretical ideas into real-world applications resulting in a positive impact across the region and the world.

Members

• Samsam Ali, Senior Accountant, Cost Analysis, University Controller’s Office
• Marlo Brown, Systems Engineer, Performance Improvement, VCU Health
• Elizabeth Fredericksen-Trent, Division Administrator/Operations Manager, Center for Human Simulation & Patient Safety, School of Medicine
• Catherine Ham, Assistant Professor, Department of Neurology; School of Medicine; Director of the VCU Headache Center
• Carly Katz, Senior Director of Federal Relations, Government Relations, Office of the President
• Tiffany Murray-Robertson, Associate Director of Communications and External Relations, L. Douglas Wilder School and Government and Public Affairs
• John Quillin, Associate Professor, Pediatrics, School of Medicine

Team Sponsor

• John Ryan, Associate Vice President, Division of Research and Development, Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation

 

Whistles Against Street Harassment (WASH)

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As an urban university nestled in a bustling city, VCU is committed to having all members of the community feel safe in public spaces. The Whistles Against Street Harassment (WASH) initiative aims to improve the safety of our VCU community by (1) providing a whistle, a practical and easyto- use tool that the target or bystanders can use to disrupt street harassment, and (2) raising awareness and dialogue related to street harassment and public safety. RAINN defines street harassment as “unwanted comments, gestures, or acts directed at someone in a public space without their consent.”1 Street harassment is not limited to gender- or race-based intimidation; however, it negatively affects the entire community. In a recent web-based survey, VCU students, faculty, and staff identified the top safety interventions on the Monroe Park and MCV campuses to be pedestrian safety (33%), increased lighting (26%), addressing street harassment (25%), more police visibility in the evenings (25%) and additional patrols in VCU parking lots (20%).2 The WASH initiative aims to reduce, and ultimately eliminate, street harassment on our urban campuses.

Members

• Rami Ammoun, Assistant Professor, Prosthodontics, School of Dentistry
• Amita Goyal Chin, Associate Professor, Information Systems, School of Business
• Dwayne Cooper, Interim Director of Patient Transportation, VCU Health
• Margaret Turman Kidd, Access and Electronic Records Archivist, Special Collections and Archives, VCU Libraries
• Hannah Miller, Pediatric Hospital Medicine Fellow, Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU
• Melyatta Powers, Senior Executive Director of Finance, School of the Arts
• Angela Reynolds, Professor, Mathematics and Applied Mathematics, College of Humanities and Sciences

Team Sponsor

• John Venuti, Associate Vice President for Public Safety, VCU & VCU Health and Chief of Police

Each year, VCU Leadership Development Program participants create a team project to address an issue of current importance to the university community. To answer national calls for racial equity and President Rao's charge to "make equity and inclusion accessible everywhere.” The 2021 VCU Leadership team projects focus on advancing institutional racial equity at VCU. Guided by senior leaders across the university, participants have completed projects to align with issues of current importance to the University community. 

Identifying Needs of Potential Transfer Students of Color to Enhance Equity and Inclusion in the College of Health Professions

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Systemic barriers exist for transfer students of color, as indicated by poor recruitment and retention outcomes compared to white peers. With the goal of enhancing equity and inclusion while diversifying the health professions, this project characterizes the needs of this population to inform the development of a new bachelor's program within the College of Health Professions. The project provides recommendations based on data collected from both prospective and current VCU transfer students, in hopes of improving recruitment and retention outcomes for transfer students of color.

Members

• Hem Bhardwaj, Associate Professor, VCU Health System
• Ashley Brewer, Web and User Experience Librarian, VCU Libraries
• Christopher Garland, Interim Director of Information Technology, School of Pharmacy
• Rebecca Heise, Associate Professor, College of Engineering
• Courtney Holmes, Associate Professor, College of Health Professions
• Hillary O’Boyle, Pediatric Fellow, Children’s Hospital of Richmond

Team Sponsor

• Seth Sykes, Associate Vice Provost For Transfer Initiatives And Programs, Division of Strategic Enrollment and Student Success 

 

Use of a Climate and Culture Survey to Assess Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiatives at the VCU School of Social Workand Inclusion Initiatives at the VCU School of Social Work

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This project seeks to assess faculty and staff climate and culture related to diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, within the School of Social Work (SoSW). The goal is to inform and build the school's process for assessing, tracking, and responding to faculty and staff needs. A survey will be prepared in collaboration with the Racial Justice Task Force and distributed to all faculty and staff. Results will be shared with the Racial Justice Task Force

Members

• Joanna Bell, Fiscal Administrator, School of Education
• Chandra Bhati, Associate Professor, VCU Health System
• Rucha Bond, Associate Dean, School of Pharmacy
• Keara Chambers, Outreach Program Coordinator, College of Engineering
• David Edwards, Professor, College of Humanities and Sciences
• Melissa Jamerson, Association Professor, College of Health Professions
• Bryce Nelson, Associate Professor, Children’s Hospital of Richmond  

Team Sponsors

• Beth Angell, Dean and Professor, School of Social Work
• Rebecca Gomez, Associate Dean For Academic And Student Affairs And Associate Professor, School of Social Work

 

Paying it Forward: A Strategy for Developing a Culture of Lifetime Engagement and Inclusion for First-Generation Students

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This project aims to propose a strategy for VCU to increase the engagement and connection among First-Generation VCU students to create lifelong engagement through VCU DAR as Alumni. The team proposes to expand DAR outreach through collaboration with key VCU stakeholders (e.g., YOUFirst). By developing a positive undergraduate experience, student's loyalty to VCU will result in greater engagement as alumni, paying it forward.

Members

• Wini Campbell, Contracts Manager, Office of Procurement Services
• Amy Chuang, Director of Animal Care and Use Program, Office of Research and Innovation
• Maria Rivera, Associate Professor, College of Humanities and Sciences
• Christopher Schreiner, Director of Academic Data Analytics, School of Nursing
• Srinivas Sistla, Core Facilities Manager, School of Pharmacy
• Jon Snider, Assistant Clinical Professor, School of Medicine 

Team Sponsor

• Allison Toney, Director, Student and Alumni Engagement, Office of Development and Alumni Relations

 

Opening Doorways: Connecting Petersburg Students to the World of Health Science Professions

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Providing opportunities to explore the vast world of health and medical sciences will inspire students to consider future health-related careers. We’ve developed a pipeline for students, beginning in elementary school and reinforced through middle and high school, to increase the number of students entering health and medical science professions. Utilizing VCU resources, we are providing exposure to various health careers, experiential learning opportunities, and mentoring on how to navigate through academia into a chosen field.

Members

• Carol Caudill, Assistant Professor, School of Dentistry
• Brent Fagg, Licensing Associate, Office of Research and Innovation
• Victor Gonzalez Montoya, Assistant Clinical Professor, VCU Health System
• Amy Ladd, Associate Director of Pauley Heart Center, VCU Health System
• Kim McKnight, Director of RTR Partnerships, School of Education
• Peyton Rowe, Associate Professor, Robertson School of Media and Culture
• Paula Song, Department Chair, College of Health Professions

Team Sponsor

• Keith Baker, Assistant Dean for Admissions, School of Medicine

 

VCU College of Humanities & Sciences Racial Equity Assessment

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Racial equity is the process of ensuring that equal possible outcomes are available for every individual. At the College of Humanities and Sciences (CHS) an important goal is to ensure faculty and staff have access to the same opportunities while accounting for those facing continued barriers. Following the establishment of the Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity Committee, the current state of racial equity and the effectiveness of initiatives meant to correct for imbalance will be assessed.

Members

• Nayef Chahin, Assistant Professor, Children’s Hospital of Richmond
• Nicole Damico, Associate Dean, College of Health Professions
• Ross Losapio, Recruitment Coordinator, L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs
• Joycelyn Mahone, Senior University Development Officer, Office of Development and Alumni Relations
• Virginia McGhee, Nurse Manager, VCU Health System
• Meera Mehtaji, Assistant Professor, School of Education
• Ryan Patton, Associate Professor, School of the Arts

Team Sponsor

• Faye Belgrave, Professor and Interim Associate Dean For Equity and Community Partnerships, College of Humanities and Sciences

 

As the VCU community continues to face challenges related to COVID-19, leadership in all forms, from all levels, has become more critical to our survival and success. The Institute remains dedicated to supporting the development of VCU's current and emerging leaders. This year's cohort showed great resilience as we pivoted to virtual programming and demonstrated unwavering dedication to VCU's emerging needs as we shifted the focus of team projects to respond to institutional needs caused by COVID-19. In light of our current circumstances, the 2020 team projects address emerging institutional need(s), solution(s), or lessons learned relevant to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Protect & Disinfect: COVID Upcycling

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Students returning to campus will be responsible for the frequent cleaning and disinfecting of their living spaces to help limit and prevent the spread of COVID-19. Sterile, unused towels are thrown away every day in operating rooms at the VCU Health System. These towels will be collected and distributed to VCU residential halls, providing students with a free and accessible resource for the daily cleaning and disinfecting needed to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

Members

• Ilvy Cotterell, Assistant Professor, School of Medicine
• Collin Cox, Administrative Coordinator, L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs
• Parthenia Dinora, Associate Director of Partnership for People with Disabilities, School of Education
• Zachary Hilpert, Interim Director of Interdisciplinary Studies, University College
• Veronica King, Executive Director of Payroll and Tax Services, University Controller's Office
• Carmen Rodriguez, Associate Professor, College of Humanities and Sciences
• Alexis Shockley, Art Specialist, VCU Health System

Team Sponsor

• Thomas Briggs, Assistant Vice President for Safety and Risk Management, Division of Administration

 

Evaluating Academia During a Pandemic

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COVID-19 disrupted educational instruction which transitioned into remote learning and testing modes. Faculty adopted various platforms of remote learning, however, the students' perception of efficacy and adequacy remains unclear. Curriculum delivery transformation should be based on student feedback to align it with their needs and expectations. As remote learning evolves, it is important to identify perceptions from faculty and students. Our project might help improve and potentially enhance remote teaching and learning techniques.

Members

• Mary Fain, Project Manager & Process Engineer, VCU Health System
• Nicholas Georges, University Development Officer, Office of Development and Alumni Relations
• Janina Golob Deeb, Associate Professor, School of Dentistry
• Lisa Mathews-Ailsworth, Advisor, Division of Student Affairs
• Rita Shiang, Associate Professor & Graduate School Director, School of Medicine
• Patrick Smith, Associate Professor, School of the Arts

Team Sponsor

• Daphne Rankin, Associate Vice President for Summer Studies and Special Programs, Division of Strategic Enrollment Management

 

Communication Strategies for Connecting OneVCU

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This project analyzes and makes improvement suggestions for communication to VCU faculty and staff. The COVID-19 crisis has brought to light a variety of communication needs. Faculty and staff are feeling overwhelmed by a flood of emails, while at the same time are missing key information. We have assessed the current communication infrastructure, and together with the key VCU communicators have identified improved processes and policies.

Members

• Jason Jacobus, Infrastructure Team Lead, Division of Administration
• Amy Lutero, Assistant Director of Post Award Manangement, Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation
• Mary Peace McRae, Associate Professor, School of Pharmacy
• Shravan Renapurkar, Assistant Professor, School of Dentistry
• Kristin Richardson, Executive Director of Prospect Development, Office of Development and Alumni Relations
• Christian Wernz, Associate Professor, College of Health Professions
• Tonka Williams, Director of Nursing Medicine, VCU Health System 

Team Sponsor

• Marcus Messner, Director, Richard T. Robertson School of Media and Culture

 

Leadership Lessons Learned

View Project | View Videos

Leaders at VCU were interviewed to gather their lessons learned, their triumphs, and their challenges in regards to COVID-19. More than ten interviews were completed with leaders across both VCU campuses and at varying positions at the university. Their responses, gathered in a multi-media case study of “lessons learned,” were collected to serve as inspirations for learning about leadership through success in a crisis.

Members

• Katherine Donowitz, Fellow, Children's Hospital of Richmond
• Carole Ivey, Associate Professor and Chair, College of Health Professions
• Aniket Jadhav, Associate Professor, School of Dentistry
• Marcel Jennings, Assistant Professor and Interim Associate Director, Richard T. Robertson School of Media and Culture
• Emily Lillley, Administrator, Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation
• Patricia Sobczak, Librarian, VCU Libraries
• Tammy Williams, Clinical Assistant Professor & Undergraduate Program Director, School of Nursing 

Team Sponsor

• Paula Otto, Senior Director of Special Projects, L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs

VCU In Motion

View Project From 2015-2018 there were 84 pedestrian accidents on the ONE VCU campus with 1 fatality. This project is designed to increase awareness of the risks to pedestrian safety on campus through eye catching street decals that focus pedestrian attention to “Stop, Look, Listen” at busy intersections and to educate the ONE VCU community of their responsibilities as pedestrians, through brief learning modules that will lead to a reduction of fatalities and accidents.

Members

• Renee Adams, Clinical Transformation Support Specialist, VCU Health System
• Tracey Dawson Cruz, Professor, College of Humanities and Sciences
• John Glover, Humanities Research Librarian, VCU Libraries
• Brianne Jackson, Instructional Designer, Online@VCU
• Mark Marinello, Medical Director, VCU Health System
• Rashmi Pershad, Associate Director of Research Administration, Training, and Compliance, School of Medicine
• James Wasilewski, Director of Development, L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs 

Team Sponsor

• John Venuti, Associate Vice President for Public Safety

 

One VCU Art

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One VCU Art generates dynamic rotating temporary public art installations. At its heart is a VCU public art curator, assisted by key university area representatives who identify inclusive meaningful transdisciplinary collaborations that both inform and directly engage commissions. The public art installations elevate VCU’s contributions to Richmond and building meaningful engagement. As the number one public art school in the nation, VCU has the unique opportunity to show leadership and making the true power of art real.

Members

• Jeff Eastman, University Planner, Facilities Management
  
• Soundarya Gowda, Associate Professor, School of Medicine
  
• Elaine Reeder, Instructional Designer, ALT Lab
  
• India Sisler, Associate Professor, School of Medicine
  
• Claudia Testa, Professor, School of Medicine
  
• Matthew Wallin, Associate Professor, School of the Arts

Team Sponsor

• Dominic Willsdon, Executive Director, Institute for Contemporary Art

 

Expanding First Generation Student Support Services at VCU

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One third of Freshmen at VCU are first-generation. Strategic Enrollment Management has spearheaded programming for this target group, resulting in increased retention and quicker adjustment to campus life for existing participants. The innovative nature of this program and its record of success warrants increased investment. Building upon the YouFirst program, the new initiated FirstGen faculty network will champion the success of first generation students at VCU, expanding the university’s national recognition and extraordinary capacity for growth.

Members

• Megan Coe, Fellow Physician, VCU Health System
  
• Becky Durfee, Associate Chair, College of Humanities and Sciences
  
• Jessica Laux, Director, Risk Management, Division of Administration
  
• Milos Manic, Professor, College of Engineering
  
• Kristin Reed, Associate Professor, University College
  
• Wei Zhang, Professor, College of Engineering 

Team Sponsor

• Tomikia LeGrande, Vice Provost for Strategic Enrollment Management

 

Mind Your Meds: Safe Opioid Disposal Awareness

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On average, over 2/3 of opioid prescriptions are leftover and lead to later misuse or abuse. To help combat the nationwide opioid crisis, the Mission Possible GEHLI team of 2019 seeks to promote awareness of safe opioid disposal to VCU and its surrounding community. This will be accomplished by educating providers in the VCU Health system and spreading the knowledge to VCU patients, students, faculty, staff, and citizens within our community.

Members

• Mary Ann Davies, Director of Strategic Account Services, Division of University Relations 
  
• Jenny Fox, Assistant Professor of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, School of Medicine  
  
• Kenneth Johnson, Clinical Transformation Support Specialist, VCU Health System
  
• Jenn Papenfuse, Senior Director of Stewardship Programs, Office of Development and Alumni Relations  
  
• Michelle Schmitt, Director and Assistant Professor, School of Education
  
• Shijun Zhang, Associate Professor, School of Pharmacy 
  
• Lori Zoghby, Practice Manager, School of Dentistry 

Team Sponsor

• Omar Abubaker, Chair, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Dentistry

 

RAMS Research Maker-Space

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RAMS Research Maker-Space is an online platform that aims to strengthen the research collaboration infrastructure across both campuses and to facilitate innovative partnerships inside and outside of VCU. Designed as an open access, resource rich maker-space, it promotes creativity, inclusion, and trans-disciplinary research and scholarship.

Members

• Leila Brinegar, Assistant Dean for Curriculum, School of Medicine
  
• Ashley Carroll, Associate Professor, VCU Health System 
  
• Stephanie Hart, Service Center Director of Operations, College of Humanities and Sciences
  
• Larry Medina, Real Estate Asset Manager, Division of Administration
  
• Elicia Preslan, IRB Operations Qa/QI Manager, Office of Research and Innovation
  
• Melissa Throckmorton, Coordinator of Research Development Services, Office of Research and Innovation
  
• Jeffery Wilson, Associate Professor, School of Education 

Team Sponsor

• Garret Westlake, Executive Director, VCU da Vinci Center 

 

VCU Brew

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VCU Brew is an innovative proposal to create a signature beer to represent VCU. The Campus Connectors will present a business plan that describes opportunities for distribution at VCU athletic and community events, potential revenues to benefit VCU scholarships, and experiential learning by engaging VCU students in product development, branding, labeling and marketing. Members of VCU Ram Nation (21+) can enjoy a sample of VCU Brew, created in collaboration with a local craft brewery. 

Members 

• Denise Bullock, Talent Management, VCU Health System
• Lauren Dunn, Social Worker, VCU Health System
• Brian Fowlkes, Director, Foundation Services, VCU Finance
• Hermine Maes, Associate Professor, Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics
• Elizabeth Marlowe, PCM Education Director, School of Medicine
• Fernando Tenjo-Fernandez, Associate Professor, College of Humanities and Sciences
• Zakia Williams, Administrative Assistant, School of Education  

Team Sponsor

• Ed McLaughlin, Vice President & Director of Athletics