Join us throughout the 2020-2021 academic year for a series of conversations in the School of Arts & Sciences, sponsored by the Office of the Dean of Arts & Sciences.

The School of Arts and Sciences is the heart of the University of Richmond’s offerings. You can choose from or combine majors from 22 departments and 10 interdisciplinary programs. In the School of Arts & Sciences, you will learn to integrate your classroom experience with your true interests, your calling.

The Heart of the University

At Richmond, the School of Arts and Sciences is at the heart of your education, with courses in the arts, sciences, humanities, and social sciences. But choosing an A&S education offers you more than just variety.

It’s the chance to explore a topic you’ve always been curious about, whether that’s Russian, modern dance, or environmental ethics. It’s getting a different perspective on your favorite subject, thinking through concepts and problems in a way you never have before. It’s satisfying your curiosity and love for learning, and then working to translate that into a career path.

Faculty Highlights

Giancaspro Published
David Giancaspro, assistant professor of spanish, published “The later bird gets the verb?: Effects of age of acquisition of English on adult heritage speakers’ knowledge of subjunctive mood in Spanish” in Languages.
Giancaspro in Heritage Language Journal
David Giancaspro, assistant professor of spanish, published “Over, under, and around: Spanish heritage speakers’ production (and avoidance) of subjunctive mood” in Heritage Language Journal.
Giancaspro Publishes Chapter
David Giancaspro, assistant professor of spanish, published the chapter “Not in the mood: frequency effects in heritage speakers' knowledge of subjunctive mood” in Lost in Transmission: The Role of Attrition and Input in Heritage Language Development.
Bowie Recognized
Jennifer Bowie, associate professor of political science, received the 2020 Distinguished Educator Award for outstanding contributions to excellence in education.
Knouse Recognized
Laura Knouse, associate professor of psychology, received the 2020 Distinguished Educator Award for outstanding contributions to excellence in education.
Pollock Recognized
Julie Pollock, associate professor of chemistry, received the 2020 Distinguished Educator Award for outstanding contributions to excellence in education.
Wu Recognized
Carrie Wu, associate professor of biology, received the 2020 Distinguished Educator Award for outstanding contributions to excellence in education.
Méndez Published
Mariela Méndez, associate professor and chair of LALIS, just published a co-edited volume of essays on contemporary Argentinean writer María Moreno titled El Affair Moreno (Buenos Aires: Editorial Mansalva, 2020).
Torres Honored
Marcella Torres, director of mathematical studies, was recently honored by Lathisms, an organization which showcases the contributions of Latinx and Hispanic mathematicians during Hispanic Heritage Month. Read about her journey to mathematics and accomplishments here.
Donald Published
Kelling Donald, associate dean and professor of chemistry, published “Structural and Energetic Properties of RMX₃–NH₃ Complexes” in International Journal of Quantum Chemistry with UR postbaccalaureate researcher, Samuel Gillespie.

A&S News

Josh Higdon, '22: Finding Passion Through Research
A&S student traveled to New Mexico to present at the Symposium on Spanish as a Heritage Language

Emma Davis, '21
Frontline PBS internship offers senior insights on journalistic integrity

A&S: Responding to Two Pandemics | Grant Opportunity
The School of Arts & Sciences (A&S) at the University of Richmond is excited to announce the A&S Research Grants Program for students of all A&S disciplines.

Alec Greven, '21
Richmond Scholar advocates for free speech at University of Richmond and beyond

Rong Bao, '21
Science leadership scholar researches reforestation in Asia, air pollution in Richmond

Katherine Mitchell, '21
Senior researches Covid-19's effect on schools during internship with U.S. Secretary of Education

Jepson scholarship recipient earns distinction at Oxford
Sabrina Escobar Miranda, '19, will graduate with distinction from Oxford master's program

Journalism Department Launches Partnership with VCIJ
The Journalism Department launched a partnership this spring with the Virginia Center for Investigative Journalism.

Connor Frascati, '20
Recent graduate set to lead a U.S. Army National Guard platoon

2020 Military Science Graduates are Award Winners!
The highest national award presented to Graduating Seniors in ROTC classes is the Distinguished Military Graduate designation.

Lina Tori Jan, '20
Afghan native works tirelessly in support of refugees

Student research results in online exhibition featuring ancient coins
The exhibition features 53 coins from the eastern Mediterranean during the 13th and 14th centuries.

Exploring Communities Through the Humanities Fellows Program
The program provides interdisciplinary approaches on a variety of issues.

Thomas Jefferson's Desk Returns to University Museums
On February 19th, Thomas Jefferson's desk was delivered to the University Museums.

2020 Society for Personality and Social Psychology Convention
Students, recent graduates present research

A&S hosts Contested Spaces event about walls and borders around the world
The conference was held as part of this year's Contested Spaces in which the 2019-20 focal point is "This Ground."

University Dancers: 35 years in the making
Founded originally as a student organization, University Dancers has been creating and empowering creative intellectuals since 1985.

Senior's paper accepted to undergraduate scholars conference
At the conference, Noppenberger will present her paper ideas in a session that will consist of other competitive papers

Junior combines love for literature and dance
A&S students are encouraged to pursue their diverse interests and foster those interests alongside other student scholars.

Student-led Production Premieres This Week
The Wolves, premiering on February 13th, 2020, is a portrait of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for nine American girls.

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A&S Faculty in the News

Liberal Arts for the Current Times

October 22, 2020

Dean of the School of Arts & Sciences and classics professor Patrice Rankine authored this piece.

5 Important Things to Know About the Rapid Test Antigen Testing (Indonesian)

October 22, 2020

Biology professor Eugene Wu is quoted about antigens.

Pandemic Semester

October 19, 2020

This piece features the experiences of college students in the Richmond area and includes an essay by journalism major Olivia Diaz.

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.

Community Stories

Professor Delivers Talk in South Africa
Carol Summers holds the Samuel Chiles Mitchell/Jacob Billikopf chair in History.

Exploring questions of cultural belonging, hybridity and memory
Dr. Tanja Softi's Exhibit May and June

New Sabbatical Fellowship Program in the School of Arts & Sciences
Building Community in A&S

Young Black Artists Are More in Demand Than Ever
But the Art World Is Burning Them Out

New Staff Engagement Plan in the School of Arts & Sciences
Building Community in A&S

The Arc of Justice Institute
The Arc Bends Onward

History in their own words
Growing up in Civil Rights Richmond

Arc of Racial Justice
Faculty institute explores equity-minded education

2018 A&S Faculty Mentor Award Winners
Recognizing the contributions of our faculty to undergraduate research

Northside Vibes
First-year students write for local newspaper

Experiencing a religious revolution
Religious studies professor's latest book looks at the role of religious revivals in colonial times

A deep dive into the African American experience
HistoryMakers database demonstrates the power of oral history to share the African American experience

The Great War, Modernity, and Memory
Sophomores immerse in the study of World War I

Documenting a Historic Black High School
UR students wrote and performed a documentary drama about the history of Armstrong High

Chemistry in Art
Professor introduces chemistry course that incites creativity

East End Cemetery Collaboratory
UR and VCU deepen connections to historic African-American Cemetery

Writing From the Body: Words and Movement
Students use movement to practice mindfulness

Exposing students to etymology
Community-based learning helps middle school students learn etymology

Solving more than equations
Incorporating social justice issues in the math classroom

Keeping Data Secure
Computer science research lab explores issues of data security

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Upcoming Events

Oct
24
Deconstructing Health
9:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Deconstructing Health is open to students of all majors and class years who are interested in exploring clinical and... Continue reading
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Oct
26
Lighthouse Labs: Pitch Practice
All Day
Lighthouse Labs, a premier and nationally recognized Top 25 Seed-Stage Accelerator in Richmond, is hosting two virtual... Continue reading
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Oct
26
Nasdaq Recruiting Overview
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Representatives of Nasdaq will be hosting a virtual Information Session to talk with students about the organization and... Continue reading
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Oct
26
Memories & Inspiration in Art Collecting: A Conversation with Mr. Kerry Davis, Mrs. C. Betty Davis, President Ronald Crutcher, and Dr. Betty Neal Crutcher
5:00 PM - 6:15 PM
The University of Richmond Museums presents Memories & Inspiration in Art Collecting: A Conversation with Mr. Kerry... Continue reading
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Oct
27
AccountingFest
5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
AccountingFest will help you make an informed decision about pursuing a career in accounting. At this event, you... Continue reading
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Oct
28
Spiders for Social Impact: Common Good Careers Panel
5:30 PM - 6:15 PM
We are in the business of doing good.... Continue reading
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Oct
29
WDTS Virtual Career Fair: STEM opportunities
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Join the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Office of Science, Office of Workforce Development for Teachers and Scientists... Continue reading
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Oct
30
Office Hours with the Peace Corps
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Peace Corps service is the opportunity of a lifetime!... Continue reading
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Oct
30
'They can tell that you're second generation': Understanding the complexity of heritage language and identity
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Join us on Friday, October 30th at 1pm for “'They can tell that you’re second generation':... Continue reading
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Nov
02
Google¿s Veteran Career Series
2:00 PM - 2:30 PM
We're excited to launch our first ever virtual series for the US veteran community. This series is open to any active... Continue reading
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Planning for the Future

Become an educational entrepreneur, taking your vision and passions and turning them into your livelihood. Study a subject you love, go all in on your academic experience. Take that depth of knowledge, add to it your broad exploration, experiential learning through internships and research, and guidance from faculty and career services, and you’ll be ready to chart a course for success with your passion at its core.

Alumni Stories

Jepson scholarship recipient earns distinction at Oxford

The first recipient of the Jepson Scholars Foundation scholarship earns her master's degree at the University of Oxford

Connor Frascati, '20

Recent graduate set to lead a platoon as a 2nd lieutenant in the military intelligence branch of the U.S. Army National Guard

2020 Society for Personality and Social Psychology Convention

Students and recent graduates present their research with their faculty mentor at social psychology convention

Jackson Knox, '12

Jackson Knox, ’12, launched a campaign for the Henrico County School Board in the Brookland District this past election season after earning a Political Campaign Management Professional Certificate in preparation for his candidacy. Knox won 42 percent of the vote, an impressive achievement as a 29-year-old who had only lived in the district for 6 years.

On deadline.In May, business journalist Mohammed Hadi, ’98, landed a plum assignment: news director of The New York Times’ Business Day section. Read his story.

A voice for othersMelissa Diamond, '15, has been devoted to helping children with autism in refugee camps and conflict zones since she was still a student. Read her story.

A&S NEXT 2020