News

'Putin is not interested in peace.' VCU expert explains crisis in Ukraine

Feb. 24, 2022

Judyth Twigg, a professor in the Department of Political Science, says the potential implications of Russia’s actions are “enormous and wide-ranging.”

Stephen Breyer's decision to retire comes at a key time for President Joe Biden and the Democratic Party, according to John Aughenbaugh, an associate professor of political science.

What will be the impact of Stephen Breyer’s retirement from the U.S. Supreme Court?

Jan. 26, 2022

Breyer will retire from the court after serving for more than 27 years, allowing President Joe Biden to nominate a successor.

VCU students voting in 2020 at University Student Commons, one of two on-campus polling places, the other being the Institute for Contemporary Art at VCU. (Allen Jones, University Marketing)

Virginia’s gubernatorial election is Tuesday. What will VCU political science experts be watching for?

Oct. 27, 2021

From mail-in-voting to turnout, there will be many storylines to follow as a tighter-than-expected race between Democrat Terry McAuliffe and Republican Glenn Youngkin enters its final days.

Former President Barack Obama addresses a crowd of 2,000 outside James Branch Cabell Library on Saturday. (Kevin Morley, University Marketing)

2,000 turn out at VCU to see Barack Obama speak in support of Terry McAuliffe

Oct. 23, 2021

The former president and other public figures, including Gov. Ralph Northam and U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine, spoke at a rally for McAuliffe outside James Branch Cabell Library on Saturday.

Hezha Barzani stands outside of his office at the Atlantic Council in Washington.

Hezha Barzani, a VCU senior, has a unique perspective on the Afghanistan withdrawal

Oct. 14, 2021

His family fled the Kurdistan region of Iraq in 1996. Their refugee experience was executed in an efficient manner thanks to Operation Pacific Haven.

The infrastructure bill’s approval by the Senate is a historic investment and a big win for President Joe Biden’s agenda, says VCU expert Alex Keena. (Getty Images)

The Senate has passed a $1.2T bipartisan infrastructure plan. What happens next?

Aug. 11, 2021

VCU expert Alex Keena discusses the bill’s significance and how the next major spending package could be a true test in Washington.

Left, Savannah-Zhané Jolley. Top right: Jolley and her mother, Louise. Bottom right: Jolley's celebrates getting an "A" on a research paper. (Images courtesy of Savannah-Zhané Jolley)

Class of 2021: A mysterious illness couldn’t derail Savannah-Zhané Jolley’s journey to a VCU degree

May 7, 2021

Headaches and memory loss nearly derailed her final years of school. But thanks to her mother, the Department of Political Science and her own perseverance, Jolley will graduate this month.

Thirteen VCU students and recent graduates have been named semifinalists for the Fulbright U.S. Student Program for the 2021-22 academic year.

13 from VCU named Fulbright semifinalists for 2021-22

March 2, 2021

Thirteen VCU students and recent graduates have been named semifinalists for the Fulbright U.S. Student Program for the 2021-22 academic year.

Inside the Rotunda at the Virginia State Capitol. The building, usually bustling this time of year during the General Assembly's legislative session, is currently closed to the public. (File photo by Kevin Morley, University Relations)

At the General Assembly (sort of) with VCU’s capitol semester students

Feb. 11, 2021

Interns at the Virginia State Capitol this legislative session are doing most of their work virtually. It’s still “a very cool experience,” they said.