University of Richmond professor studies and practices leadership
Dr. Thad Williamson’s work in the Richmond Mayor’s Office augments his teaching and scholarship.
School of Arts & Sciences Dean’s Annual Report
A&S Student Symposium
FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 9–11 A.M. & 1–5:30 P.M.
Modlin Center for the Arts & Campus Buildings
Each April, we celebrate our diverse community of learners at the A&S Student Symposium, a showcase of student-led research projects from nearly 30 disciplines in the arts, humanities, sciences, and social sciences. Student researchers share their scholarly work with the campus community and the public through oral presentations, poster sessions, performances, and art exhibits.
A&S Honors Convocation
Friday, April 17, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Camp Concert Hall, Booker Hall of Music
Each year, the A&S community comes together to celebrate the academic accomplishments of our students at Honors Convocation.
All A&S faculty, staff, and students are invited to attend this special celebration.
Faculty, staff, students, and guests are invited to lunch in the Heilman Dining Center following Convocation.
2025-2026 Tucker Boatwright Festival of Literature & the Arts
Reconstruction
Hosted by the Department of Art & Art History in partnership with The Harnett Museum.
The 2025–2026 Tucker-Boatwright festival dissects and expands the idea of Reconstruction to highlight the complex relationship to ongoing cultural movements and revolutions that we study, experience, and manifest through the visual arts. Reconstruction considers the many social, environmental, and political crises that we are experiencing today, and encourages us to look back at the histories that frame the urgent questions of our present for answers towards our future.
The Department of Art & Art History in partnership with The Harnett Museum, has invited two world renowned artists to campus, Cauleen Smith and Abigail DeVille, to interpret this theme through two new immersive installations that engage with local histories to create a space for community dialogue.
A&S Books & Roses
Thursday, April 23, 2026, 4:30-6 p.m. | Humanities Commons
Join the A&S Dean’s Office for the third annual Books & Roses Celebration showcasing A&S faculty and staff books published between April 2025 and April 2026.
Books & Roses is inspired by two annual international celebrations: 1) Saint George’s Day (“Sant Jordi”) in Catalonia, where literature and love are distinctly intertwined in a massive display and exchange of books and roses, and 2) UNESCO World Book and Copyright Day. Both are typically celebrated on April 23, which also happens to be the birthdate of Cervantes and Shakespeare.
The festivities will include cupcakes, refreshments, music, and roses.
A&S Commencement Reception
SATURDAY, MAY 9, 3-5 P.M.
Alice Haynes Room, Tyler Haynes Commons
Come mingle with A&S faculty and staff and enjoy refreshments with your classmates and their families.
Faculty & Staff Research Symposium
September 18, 2026
The Faculty & Staff Research Symposium brings together colleagues from multiple disciplines, programs, and all five schools to present their research, work, and creative projects. All faculty and staff are invited to present their current work as part of interdisciplinary panels, roundtables, short-format sessions, or poster presentations.
A&S Feature Stories
Rankings News
University of Richmond Ranked by Peace Corps as 2026 Top Volunteer-Producing Colleges and Universities
University of Richmond is ranked No. 10 among small-sized schools on the Peace Corps’ 2026 Top Volunteer-Producing Colleges and Universities list.
Student Scholars
Three University of Richmond Students Awarded Goldwater Scholarships to Further Faculty-Mentored Research
Anna Johnson, Nicolas Parlavecchio, and Eric Zhou have received Goldwater scholarships, one of the most sought-after and prestigious undergraduate awards in science and math.
UR Now: STUDENT EXPERIENCE
History hangout builds buzz for next semester’s courses
University of Richmond students connect with faculty, explore new classes, and get an early look at what’s ahead.
A&S Faculty in the News
Would you adopt a lab animal?
Behavioral neuroscience professor Kelly Lambert is featured.
The two lives of Chuck Norris
Rhetoric and communication studies professor Ben Pettis authored this piece.
Rats Are Infesting More Homes Than Ever-Here's How You Can Keep Them Out
Biology professor Jonathan Richardson is quoted.
For adults with ADHD – or even those with just some symptoms – using smart strategies to start and complete tasks can make all the difference
Psychology professor Laura Knouse authored this piece.
Events
Faculty Expertise
Do you envision college as a place where your professor’s office hours are spent in deep conversation about topics beyond this week’s assignment? Where you can work side-by-side with a faculty member on cutting-edge research that is published in a professional journal?
In A&S, our faculty are experts on the cutting edge of their fields. While they could work in some of the top research institutions in the world, our faculty chose Richmond because they believe in educating tomorrow's leaders and are passionate about mentoring and sharing their knowledge with students.
A&S Faculty Highlights
Sweis invited to present at University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine
Rania Kassab Sweis, associate professor of anthropology, has been invited to present "The Politics of Medicine in the Middle East" at the Pritzker School of Medicine at the University of Chicago in honor of National Arab American Heritage Month.
Yellin publishes on linking Black and Jewish experiences in Washington, D.C. housing discrimination
Eric S. Yellin, professor of history, published "Broken Covenants: Jewish Memory and Racial Restrictive Covenants in Greater Washington" in Modern American History.
Salisbury awarded for success and commitment to Latin American geographers
David Salisbury, associate professor of geography, environment, & sustainability, received the Conference of Latin American Geography (CLAG) Enlaces Award in recognition of his success and commitment to improve relationships between geographers and geography departments throughout Latin America.
Cacchione publishes book that accompanies exhibition that she curated
Orianna Cacchione, deputy director and curator of exhibitions for University Museums, published Indelible Traces. The book accompanies an exhibition that she curated that is currently on view at the AD&A Museum UC Santa Barbara. Indelible Traces is the first scholarly monograph on the multi-disciplinary artist Tiffany Chung’s work over the last twenty-five years.
