News

Rachel Beanland

Catching up with English M.F.A. graduate and novelist Rachel Beanland

Aug. 13, 2026

Rachel Beanland (M.F.A.’20) launched her third novel “The Half Life” in July 2026.

Our Incoming Fall 2026 MATX Class

Aug. 12, 2026

Please welcome our incoming Fall 2026 MATX class . . .

a haphazard arrangement of books

Our Incoming Fall 2026 MA class...

Aug. 12, 2026

Please welcome our incoming Fall 2026 MA class

A new minor in Native American and Indigenous studies reflects VCU’s growing spotlight on the centrality of Indigenous peoples, their contributions and their ongoing presence in America and Virginia. (File photo)

VCU offering new minor in Native American and Indigenous studies

Aug. 12, 2026

Debuting this fall in the College of Humanities and Sciences, the curriculum reflects growing ties to Virginia’s tribal nations.

a multitude of open books

Our Incoming Fall 2026 MFA Class

Aug. 11, 2026

Please welcome our incoming Fall 2026 MFA class . . .

During a one-year AAUW fellowship, English professor Rachel Gevlin will work on her new book, which explores how British authors such as Jane Austen characterized men’s pre- and extra-marital sex. (Contributed photo)

Rachel Gevlin earns AAUW fellowship to support book on sexual mores in domestic fiction

July 21, 2026

‘Divorcing the Rake’ will explore how late 18th-century authors portrayed adultery, bigamy and divorce and the cultural impact that their works had.

Matthew Tuckner’s debut full-length poetry collection, “The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire,” compels readers to navigate philosophy, history and ecological collapses amid the vast expanses of private grief and longings. (Four Way Books)

Matthew Tuckner wins 29th annual Levis Reading Prize for ‘The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire’

July 6, 2026

His debut full-length poetry collection is selected by the MFA in Creative Writing program at VCU.

Olufunke Grace Bankole’s debut novel, ‘The Edge of Water,’ is an emotionally resonant story of three generations of Nigerian women. (Tin House)

Olufunke Grace Bankole wins the VCU Cabell First Novelist Award for ‘The Edge of Water’

July 1, 2026

She will receive the prize, which is now in its 25th year, during a public event at VCU on Nov. 12.

David Coogan (bottom left) co-authors Stanley Craddock upper left), Ron Fountain (upper right), Naji Mujahid (middle left), Kelvin Belton (middle right), and Dean Turner (bottom right) wrote “After Jail, Before Freedom.” (Photo of jail by John Dooley. Photos of authors by Skip Rowland)

In ‘After Jail, Before Freedom,’ VCU author David Coogan revisits his co-authors

June 4, 2026

The English professor’s new sequel to ‘Writing Our Way Out’ continues exploring incarceration, and its aftermath, through storytelling.

Catori Griffin, a May 2026 graduate of the VCU School of Business, has built a presence on LinkedIn where she shares career insights, internship opportunities and lessons she has learned navigating early-career spaces. (Dean Hoffmeyer, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

Class of 2026: Marketing major Catori Griffin has had a full plate – and jar

May 8, 2026

The soon-to-be analyst at JPMorganChase has embraced leadership development, undergraduate research and support for fellow minority students.