College of Humanities and Sciences

Undergraduate Student News

For the first time since 2021, Spit for Science – the nation’s largest genetic and environmental study of college students – is collecting samples for a new cohort, and researchers hope to recruit more than 1,000 students. (Photo by Emily Komornik, Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation).

VCU’s Spit for Science, the largest genetic and environmental study of college students in the U.S., is expanding

Sept. 25, 2024

Already with more than 13,000 participants, the registry will invite VCU’s new freshman class to join a research project that delivers insight into their health and well-being.

Thousands of new students, including more than 4,000 first-years, joined the VCU community this fall. Jasmyn Smith is looking forward to getting to know the students and faculty in her Doctor of Dental Surgery program. (Kevin Morley, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

Introducing the newest Rams

Sept. 13, 2024

Get to know six students who are just starting their VCU journeys and are eager to embrace the university community.

Noor Chouman’s internship responsibilities at Health Brigade included patient intake, health screenings and reviewing medical histories. (Thomas Kojcsich, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

VCU senior Noor Chouman felt a lasting connection at Health Brigade

Sept. 11, 2024

Chouman has completed two internships at the Richmond free clinic that provides empathetic medical care.

Amany Bouali (left) with Regine Rucker, education project manager with Oak Ridge Associated Universities, at the Department of Energy this summer. (Contributed photo)

VCU junior Amany Bouali brought a spark to work on energy reliability for storm-battered Puerto Rico

Sept. 9, 2024

Her summer stint with the Energy Department in Washington was supported by VCU’s Internship Funding Program.

Emma Coffey and Liz Zepeda-Cantarero participated in the first-gen, first-year program in the Department of Political Science in VCU’s College of Humanities and Sciences. (College of Humanities and Sciences)

First and foremost: Department of Political Science program propels its first-generation students

Sept. 5, 2024

In its second year, the initiative is serving as a model that might be replicated throughout the College of Humanities and Sciences.

VCU student Ria Mohan said her association with HOSA-Future Health Professionals “has empowered me and provided me with confidence.” (Thomas Kojcsich, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

Sophomore premed student Ria Mohan takes leadership role in global health professions group

Sept. 4, 2024

The forensic science major has a long association with HOSA and established VCU’s chapter.

Aleah Nguyen pursued her interest in pediatric cancer research this summer through the Honors Summer Undergraduate Research Program. (Contributed image)

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

Aug. 13, 2024

The rising junior in VCU’s Honors College participated in a summer program that paired her with a School of Medicine researcher.

Maya Aboulhosn spent a month at the Pagoda Lifestyle Hotel in Italy for a marketing internship. (Contributed photo)

Summer internship on Italian island offers a bit of la dolce vita for VCU undergrad Maya Aboulhosn

July 31, 2024

The marketing major spent a month working on social media content for a hotel while completing her minor in psychology.

Fourth-year political science student Zateya Jackson was one of 20 students selected to participate in the inaugural Meridian-Cox Foreign Service Fellowship for Emerging Leaders. (Courtesy of Zateya Jackson)

VCU political science student Zateya Jackson gets a crash course in Foreign Service careers and leadership

July 29, 2024

The rising senior embraced multiple programs this summer, including an inaugural Meridian-Cox fellowship in the nation’s capital.

Zachary Hodgen’s lifelong goal of becoming a doctor has led him to a research lab at the University of Virginia this summer where he is researching worms that might offer insight into human biology. (Contributed photo)

Pre-med student Zachary Hodgen is examining what worms can tell us about the aging process

July 25, 2024

In an internship at a lab at UVA, Hodgen has developed a love of research and gained new insights into the medical field he one day hopes to join.