News and events
Alumnus Dre'mon Miller ('15 B.S.) recognized with VCU 10 Under 10 award
VCU Alumni’s 10 Under 10 awards program recognizes the noteworthy and distinctive achievements made by alumni who earned their first VCU degree (undergraduate, graduate or professional) within the past 10 years.
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Kamala Harris’ edge over Donald Trump slips slightly as she leads 43% to 37% in Virginia
Kamala Harris leads Donald Trump 43% to 37% in Virginia, according to the latest Commonwealth Poll from VCU’s Wilder School. The gap has narrowed as economic concerns remain the top voter priority (33%). Trump leads Harris among Independents 29% to 16%, with 19% undecided. Voters also favor Trump on handling the economy (42% to 38%), while Harris is more trusted on reproductive rights (49% to 23%). With early voting underway, turnout will be critical.
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CPP Summit Fosters Collaborative Solutions for Virginia State Agency Leaders
State agency leaders recently convened for a summit hosted by VCU’s Wilder School Center for Public Policy. The gathering focused on addressing shared challenges like employee recruitment, leadership transitions, and employee retention. Through structured discussions, participants generated actionable strategies to improve recruitment efforts, streamline leadership transitions, and enhance employee retention across state agencies.
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Wilder Symposium 2024: The fragile state of democracy and the role of leadership
As the nation heads into one of the most pivotal election years in modern history, the Wilder Symposium hosted by the VCU Wilder School on September 17 brought together some of the brightest minds in political analysis to break down what’s really at stake. Governor L. Douglas Wilder, along with analysts Bob Holsworth and Larry Sabato, took a hard look at the shifting political landscape and the critical role of voter engagement.
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Takeaways: Wilder School Lunch and Learn on Virginia’s Eviction Crisis
Our September Wilder School Lunch and Learn tackled the growing crisis of eviction in Virginia, exploring how rising rent costs and informal evictions are threatening housing stability across the state. Featuring insights from housing policy expert Ben Teresa, director of the RVA Eviction Lab, the session delved into the broader impacts of eviction on and called for policy changes, including rent stabilization. Get the overview from our recap or watch the full discussion on our YouTube channel.
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Kamala Harris leads Donald Trump 46% to 36% in Virginia, Cost of living is the top concern for voters (38%) heading into election season
A new poll from the VCU Wilder School reveals Kamala Harris leading Donald Trump by 10 points in Virginia as voters prepare for the 2024 election. With the cost of living cited as the top concern by 38% of voters, the poll also highlights a near tie in voter trust over economic leadership between Harris and Trump. Governor L. Douglas Wilder comments on how Harris’s stance on reproductive rights has resonated with voters. Full results and analysis available.
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Wilder School Commonwealth Poll: 75% of Virginians agree history of race should be taught in K-12 schools and a high percentage of Virginians agree VCU President Michael Rao should provide public accounting of money spent on real-estate development
When asked about Israel’s military actions in Gaza, the most common sentiment is that Israel was justified in taking military action in Gaza, but it has now gone too far (39%)
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Project ReConnect to support individuals involved in criminal justice system who have substance use and mental health needs
With a $2 million federal grant, the VCU-led initiative will support Chesterfield County Jail and community re-entry programs, as well as create student internships.
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Financial aid expert Jill Desjean explains the consequences and challenges of Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) changes
What are the ripple effects of recent changes to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) program? How are these challenges affecting students, families and educational institutions? Jill Desjean, a senior policy analyst at the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, shared her expertise during a recent Wilder School Lunch and Learn virtual presentation entitled: “FAFSA: Complications and Implications.”
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Challenging philanthropic whiteness: Addressing racial inequities in funding public and nonprofit organizations
A new study by Charity Scott, an assistant professor of public administration at the Wilder School, published in Equity, Diversity and Inclusion: An International Journal, reveals how philanthropic practices often perpetuate racial inequities, urging a shift towards more inclusive and equitable funding strategies.
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