News

Win, lose and draw conclusions: What the 2026 midterm election tells us

Nov. 4, 2026

Four VCU political analysts offer quick takes from Tuesday’s vote, and they will share insights and field questions at a Thursday evening panel discussion.

Sam Russell (left) makes a point during a recent class session of the Clash of Ideas course while Anderson Ritchie looks on. (Dean Hoffmeyer, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

In this unique VCU class, students role-play their way into history

Oct. 30, 2026

The Honors College course Clash of Ideas embraces the style of a game and the leadership of classmates.

VCU students are pictured with students and a faculty member from the University of Guam who worked with them to research U.S. territorial governance and its impact on the local environment in Guam and Saipan. (Contributed image)

U.S. Pacific Territories serve as a research station for VCU students

Oct. 14, 2026

Political science professor Andrea Simonelli leads a field project to Guam and Saipan to explore governance, disaster recovery and the environment.

VCU political science professor Judyth Twigg outlined how uncertainty surrounding a new possible plague outbreak in Russia continues a decadeslong pattern of mystery on the world stage. (Getty Images)

Pneumonic plague concern: Here’s what we know, and don’t know, about a suspicious death and Russian secrecy

Oct. 9, 2026

VCU political scientist and global health expert Judyth Twigg explains the mystery and the history tied to a lab worker’s death in Siberia.

On Friday, Sept. 25, the Virginia Student Voting Summit will bring students, campus administrators, election officials and community advocates to VCU for an event promoting civic engagement. (Getty Images)

Virginia Student Voting Summit comes to VCU this week

Sept. 22, 2026

Presented by the Division of Student Affairs, the Baldacci Institute and the Campus Vote Project, the annual nonpartisan event promotes civic engagement.

From the complicated to the mundane, VCU’s academic advisors, such as Jennifer Clayton, an advisor within the Department of Political Science, are happy to assist. (Dean Hoffmeyer, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

‘Reach out’: VCU academic advisors offer their best advice for a successful college journey

Sept. 21, 2026

From questions about scheduling to stopping a crisis in its tracks, advisors Jennifer Clayton and Samantha DeShazo say they’re here to help.

Redrawn congressional maps in a number of states seem poised to play a major role in the results of Nov. 3 midterm elections, according to VCU expert Alex Keena. (Getty Images)

How will redistricting impact the midterm elections?

Sept. 10, 2026

VCU political science professor and redistricting expert Alex Keena says the Nov. 3 elections will be a test case for the effectiveness of gerrymandering – and explains why the practice is a riskier strategy than it appears.

Ray Ifanga, a junior majoring in political science and African American studies, said, “I genuinely enjoy meeting people, building connections and being involved in different spaces on campus, which is definitely a shift from how shy and reserved I was when I first came to VCU.” (Dean Hoffmeyer, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

Ray Ifanga sharpens his worldview at VCU

Sept. 9, 2026

In classes, research and student leadership, the junior and aspiring lawyer keeps Black communities in focus.

VCU’s Wilder Symposium on Sept. 1 brought together a panel of scholars and political leaders, including former Governors Wilder and Gilmore, for a wide-ranging conversation that touched on Virginia’s historical and ongoing influence at the state and national levels. (VCU Wilder School)

Wilder Symposium examines Virginia’s ongoing role in shaping the nation

Sept. 4, 2026

Former Governors Wilder and Gilmore join political scholars to assess ‘Virginia at 250.’

The Virginia Government Simulation program, which had nearly 100 participants last year, puts students in the role of state legislators as they research positions, elect party leadership, propose laws and debate legislation – all inside the state Capitol’s House of Delegates chamber. (Dean Hoffmeyer, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

Talking across the divide

Sept. 1, 2026

Americans are more at odds than ever. The Baldacci Institute for Civil Discourse aims to bring us back together.