State of the University: Rao highlights research progress, community

Jack Glagola, News Editor

Brianna Cobbs, Contributing Writer

Eliza Eyre, Contributing Writer

VCU President Michael Rao delivered the 2025 State of the University speech at the James Branch Cabell Library on Jan. 30. The speech focused on VCU’s increasing national profile, research advancements and efforts to expand experiential learning, including a spot on the National Science Foundation’s top 50 public research institutions list.

Rao said VCU’s mission would not be possible without the efforts of faculty, staff and students.

“But all of this is really because of our dedicated faculty and staff, who are doing an incredible job delivering on our mission to support the success of all students,” Rao said.

Rao said the share of first-generation and Pell Grant recipient students is rising, which is unusual for a public research university.

“Thanks to VCU, people from every background are achieving the American dream at a research university,” Rao said.

Faculty-led research projects in fields such as cancer treatment, medical technology and social sciences have propelled VCU’s rise, according to Rao.

“Our research is saving lives,” Rao said. “That’s not just a phrase — it’s a fact. The discoveries happening at VCU today will change the world tomorrow.”

Rao said the university is monitoring executive actions from the Trump administration. The Office of the President sent an email to students and faculty on Jan. 29 with similar wording.

“As we get more clarity about verified impacts to the university, we’ll start communicating that information,” Rao said.

Rao invited two faculty members to the front to discuss the university’s inroads into artificial intelligence. They were Frank Faries, a philosophy professor who teaches the Ethics of AI course, and Elaine Reeder, director of curriculum development for VCU Online.

Faries said the goal of his department’s AI courses is to “future-proof” students with a philosophical foundation.

“Lucky for us, AI is an ethical minefield, so there’s lots of different directions we can go,” Faries said.

VCU launched an AI minor last semester, allowing students from any major to engage with AI’s broader implications. Reeder said the student interest in the AI courses has been overwhelming.

“We had to expand course offerings because so many students wanted to enroll,” Reeder said. “Students understand that AI will shape their futures, and they want to be prepared.”

Selma Ait-Bella, a fourth-year sociology student, expressed frustration about all the attention given to AI during the speech.

“To simply disregard the students, their demands and so many frustrations that the students have been expressing to the administration and to hide that all away and just discuss a surface-level conversation about ingenuity is honestly an embarrassment,” Ait-Bella said.

After his speech, Rao said he “absolutely” wants to make internships or service learning a requirement for all students.

“Any influence I have as president to advance this, I will use,” Rao said. “If we as faculty agreed that some kind of experience outside the classroom — preferably a professional one — was required, more students would find their way to their careers more quickly.”

However, Rao said it was a challenge to connect students with opportunities.

“Employers tell me they aren’t seeing enough VCU students applying for internships, while students tell me they struggle to find opportunities,” Rao said. “That tells me we need better alignment.”

Kathy Reynolds, a faculty member in the business department, said a requirement would grapple with problems of accessibility.

“Many students juggle work and school, and unpaid internships aren’t always an option,” Reynolds said. “We need to create pathways that allow every student to gain professional experience.”

Patricia Hartman, a nurse at VCU Student Health, said experiential learning has value.

“I see students every day who are balancing their studies with jobs and other responsibilities,” Hartman said. “Internships should be meaningful and accessible, ensuring that every student can gain professional experience without additional stress.”

Rao closed his address by reaffirming his commitment to student success, research excellence and preparing VCU students for an evolving job market.

“VCU is a place for people who are motivated, hardworking and ready to innovate,” he said. “The future is bright because of you — our students, faculty and staff.”

Editor’s note: A previous version of this article included a quote by Jason Arnold, a political science professor. He was not present at the speech.