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Basil Gooden, Ph.D., Director of State Operations for USDA Rural Development
News / June 28, 2022

Wilder School Lunch and Learn “The Resurgence of Rural America” with Basil Gooden

One in five Americans now lives in a small town. An unexpected result of the pandemic has been a steady increase in talent moving to rural areas as people reexamine their values, connections to family and work-life balance. What is next in this resurgence of rural America? Join Basil Gooden, Ph.D., director of State Operations for USDA Rural Development, for a virtual discussion exploring rural America.

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News / June 27, 2022

Why do school shootings keep happening in the United States?

Will Pelfrey fields questions to address America's gun violence.

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Wilder School Dean Susan T. Gooden and Distinguished Professor and 66th Governor of Virginia L. Douglas Wilder, co-founders of the Research Institute for Social Equity, attend a graduation recording at VPM studios on April 21, 2021.
News / June 22, 2022

Research Institute for Social Equity receives $3 million to become thought leader and connector for advancing social justice

The Research Institute for Social Equity in the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs at VCU, an institute that has contributed to the equitable distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine in Virginia among other efforts, will receive $3 million over the course of two years to continue efforts toward advancing equity to inform public policy, governance and practice to improve conditions for marginalized voices in society.

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Seeking out professional help and resources is a key recommendation for anyone facing eviction.
News / June 15, 2022

Expiration of renters’ protections sparks fear of increased evictions

The RVA Eviction Lab at the VCU L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs, which analyzes eviction data across Virginia, forecasts an increase in evictions in coming months.

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“We can trace major incidents that have cost billions of dollars and have affected and threatened our national security, our industries and our infrastructure going back decades,” said Christopher Whyte.
News / May 20, 2022

Wilder School Lunch and Learn recap: “Why No Cyber ‘Shock and Awe’? The Digital Dimensions and Implications of Russia's War on Ukraine”

Russia's war against Ukraine has seen widespread use of digital disruption. Western sanctions have set in motion an unprecedented shift in how Russians will use the Internet. But the "cyber blitzkrieg" expected alongside Russia's invasion of Ukraine never happened. What cybersecurity lessons can we learn from the conflict and what can we expect from Russia in the months and years to come?

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Leah Fremouw (B.A.’08/H&S; M.P.A.’10/GPA)  is the inaugural CEO of Bridging Virginia, a financial services institution that drives capital and resources into historically marginalized and underserved business owners in the metropolitan Richmond area. It’s a high-octane, purpose-driven role for the West Virginia native.
News / May 19, 2022

Wilder School Alumni Changemaker: Leah Fremouw

Leah Fremouw (B.A.’08/H&S; M.P.A.’10/GPA) is the inaugural CEO of Bridging Virginia, a financial services institution that drives capital and resources into historically marginalized and underserved business owners in the metropolitan Richmond area. It’s a high-octane, purpose-driven role for the West Virginia native with a large personality and a knack for infusing projects and people with transformational energy.

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Urban and regional planning student LaToya Gray-Sparks' web-based project
News / May 18, 2022

Investigating Richmond’s history of displaced communities

VCU urban planning student’s project capturing the voices of African American communities removed from their homes through a 1946 urban planning effort will become a national resource.

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Katharine Bond, vice-president for public policy and state affairs at Dominion Energy, will discuss the economic trends shaping our future.
News / May 18, 2022

Lunch and Learn June 2022: "Rising Costs, Rising Inflation: Making Sense of the Economy" with Katharine Bond

Across the country, Americans are struggling with rising prices and inflation on everyday goods, from gas to groceries. What are the economic factors contributing to this situation and how can we make sense of it? Join Katharine Bond, vice-president for public policy and state affairs at Dominion Energy, for a timely discussion on navigating the trends that are shaping our pocketbooks and future plans.

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Congratulations to our Plan-Off finalists (left to right): Annie Weidhaas (Overall Best Plan Award), Charlie Wilson, Gabrielle Dean (Grand Prize) and Neal Friedman.
News / May 9, 2022

Plan-Off 2022: Wilder School master of urban and regional studies and planning students envision the future of communities

More than a hundred students, faculty and planning professionals came together for the 2022 Plan-Off annual competition for master of urban and regional planning students.

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“I like to ask thoughtful questions and dig into topics that don’t yet make full sense to me,” Kyrychenko said. “In my free time or when talking to friends about criminal justice topics, I am known for my love of looking things up in the Code of Virginia to learn what exactly a law says and how it came to be that way.”
News / May 5, 2022

Class of 2022: Michael Kyrychenko sets his sights on a public service career in criminal justice

As a criminal justice undergraduate student at the VCU Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs, Michael Kyrychenko is engaged in his community and prepared for success.

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