L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs

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Julia Tracy (second row, far right) was selected to participate in the 2021-2022 Capitol Semester program, where she gained experience in environment policy planning.
News / October 25, 2022

Future-focused: Julia Tracy takes an interdisciplinary approach to environmentalism

Growing up in the small coastal town of Norfolk Virginia, Julia Tracy witnessed firsthand the effects of climate change. Now an undergraduate student in the Wilder School’s urban and regional studies and planning (URP) program, Tracy is taking on these challenges at the intersection of policy, environmental science, and urban planning.

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News / October 21, 2022

October Lunch and Learn Recap: "What's a "Major Question?: Changes in U.S. Supreme Court Administrative Law Rulings and Their Impact on the Federal Bureaucracy" with Dr. John Aughenbaugh

What is the major questions doctrine? How might it affect future executive branch policy initiatives? Dr. John Aughenbaugh explored these concepts during an October Lunch and Learn hosted by the VCU Wilder School on Supreme Court administrative law rulings.

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Rajade Berry James, a professor and senior associate dean of faculty and academic affairs at the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs, has been named the vice president of the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs and Administration (NASPAA).  NASPAA is the national and international accrediting body for Master’s degree programs in public administration, public policy,
News / October 21, 2022

Wilder School's RaJade Berry-James Elected Vice President/President of NASPAA

RaJade Berry James, a professor and senior associate dean of faculty and academic affairs at the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs, has been named the vice president of the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs and Administration (NASPAA). NASPAA is the national and international accrediting body for Master’s degree programs in public administration, public policy, and public affairs.

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John Moeser, Ph.D., a professor emeritus at the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs at VCU, Moeser was a founding member of the Urban and Regional Studies and Planning program at VCU and was active in the Richmond community as an advocate and scholar on race, politics and power. (Photo courtesy of University of Richmond)
News / October 20, 2022

John Moeser, ‘advocate for a more just society’ and VCU urban studies trailblazer, dies at 79

Moeser was a founding member of VCU’s Urban and Regional Studies and Planning program and the co-author of an influential book that revealed how Richmond’s planning policies placed Black residents at a disadvantage based on race.

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Myra Goodman Smith, president and CEO of Leadership Metro Richmond, has made a name for herself through her unwavering commitment to helping others.
News / October 17, 2022

Alumni Changemaker: Myra Goodman Smith

For Myra Goodman Smith (B.S.,’82, M.P.A., ’84), public service is her life’s work. From her days as a volunteer candy striper at MCV hospital at the age of fourteen to her current position as President and CEO of Leadership Metro Richmond, Smith has made a name for herself through her unwavering commitment to helping others. 

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The Equity Summit saw a strong Wilder School presence. From left to right: Blue Wooldridge, RaJade Berry-James, Anthony Starke, alumna Sesha Joi-Moon ('08 MS), Susan Gooden, Elizabeth Harden, Sophie Webb, Keandra Davis and Sombo Muzata.
News / October 11, 2022

Equity Summit Launches Journal of Social Equity and Public Administration

More than 70 social equity scholars from across the globe gathered in Charlottesville, Va. at the Morven Farm for the 2022 Equity Summit. The summit was organized to bring social equity experts together for collaboration and officially launch the Journal of Social Equity and Public Administration. JSEPA seeks to become a collaborative voice that combines equity research and practice in public policy.

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Melani Monje Riberth (with arm outstretched) participates in a scenario drill at the Basic Summer Jailors Academy.
News / October 4, 2022

Future-focused: Melani Monje Riberth gains hands-on experience through Summer Jailor Academy

Undergraduate criminal justice student Melani Monje Riberth put her security, defense, administrative, investigative and forensic skills to the test at the 10th Basic Summer Jailor Academy.

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In addition to his Army National Guard post, Chernoh Wurie has served as a patrol officer, crisis intervention team member, crime scene technician and police planner.
News / October 3, 2022

Boots on the ground: Chernoh Wurie adds Army National Guard to a growing list of professional experiences

Assistant Professor Chernoh Wurie joins Army National Guard

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News / September 28, 2022

Wilder School Lunch and Learn "What's a "Major Question?: Changes in U.S. Supreme Court Administrative Law Rulings and Their Impact on the Federal Bureaucracy"

In recent U.S. Supreme Court terms, the Court has used the major questions doctrine to invalidate executive branch policy initiatives. In this month's Lunch and Learn, Dr. John Aughenbaugh from VCU's Political Science Department will discuss what the major questions doctrine is and how the doctrine might impact federal government executive branch policy initiatives in the future.

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Anbu Arumugan, Senior Assistant Professor of Public Administration at the Government Arts College in Chennai, India.
News / September 28, 2022

Oct. 5: 2022 Wilder School Doctoral Lecture Series: Professional Development for Early Career Researchers

Join Anbu Arumugan, Senior Assistant Professor of Public Administration at the Government Arts College in Chennai, India, for a discussion of research in the international context.

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