Spring 2023

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Letter from the dean’s office

Dear Friends,

At the Wilder School, our collective success hinges on the decades of thought leadership and experiential knowledge our faculty instructors bring to each classroom. With guidance from these world-class educators and researchers, our talented students gain the real-world skills to effect transformative change in their communities. Our array of degree programs and certificates, hands-on research, student organizations and service learning courses create one-of-a-kind opportunities and life-changing experiences. Our faculty and staff are committed to ensuring our graduates emerge as critical thinkers and career-ready global citizens who are ready to take on any challenge. We hold the distinction of being ranked the top school of public affairs in Virginia and 35th in the nation in 2023, according to U.S. News & World Report. This distinction places us in the top 15% of universities in the nation. We are also recognized as 29th in public management and leadership. These rankings speak to our reputational excellence, but there is so much more to our identity. The stories you’ll read within this edition showcase why the Wilder School is recognized as a national leader in equity research. From areas like emergency planning and crisis response to housing insecurity and analysis of entrepreneurial ecosystems, we take a comprehensive approach to lend a voice to underrepresented and historically marginalized groups. You’ll also learn about the Commonwealth Poll, a long-standing bellwether of public opinion in the commonwealth. L. Douglas Wilder, the 66th governor of Virginia, brings his extensive expertise to bear on perspectives and trends revealed by recent polling. These critical research areas are essential to inform public leaders and innovate policymaking. We’re proud of our strong network of nearly 12,000 alumni, who share professional support and exemplify why Wilder School graduates go on to incredible things. From early-career professionals to seasoned community leaders, these transformative individuals effect powerful change. Within these pages you’ll learn about Myra Goodman Smith, president and CEO of Leadership Metro Richmond, and Joshua Son, senior planner for the Richmond, Virginia, Department of Planning and Development Review. The convergence of academics, research and service makes the Wilder School a community with a dedication to transformation. We’ve honed a successful blueprint to develop agents of change, and we know our students, faculty and alumni learn as much from one another as they do from us.

Best regards,

Susan T. Gooden, Ph.D.
Dean
L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs
Virginia Commonwealth University