The Commonwealth Times is a student-led and student-produced media organization serving the Virginia Commonwealth University campuses at Monroe Park and MCV since 1969.
About The Commonwealth Times
Who We Are
Prints are released and distributed every week during the fall and spring semesters, and content is also published online weekly here, on commonwealthtimes.org, and updated regularly as news occurs. The CT's team includes more than 350 VCU student editors and contributors, and provides hands-on training in journalism writing, photography, illustrating, graphic design, editing and multimedia production.The Commonwealth Times is entirely student-run and operates under the guidance of the VCU Student Media Center director and the governance of the VCU Student Media Board.
Our Mission
First and foremost, The Commonwealth Times provides coverage of news and events affecting the Virginia Commonwealth University and Richmond communities.
We are a dedicated and independent student media organization that connects, explores and enriches the lives of the university’s affiliates and community members.
We operate on a model of individual responsibility, professional standards and ethics rather than censorship and administrative control. We promote the values of integrity, tenacity, creativity and honesty in the pursuit of excellence.
The Commonwealth Times serves as a newspaper of record for VCU throughout decades of campus history.
Corrections Policy
It is the policy of The Commonwealth Times to correct any inaccurate information published online or in print as soon as the error is discovered. Any inaccuracies published in print will be noted by a correction published in the following print issue. Inaccurate information published online will be corrected, and the correction will be noted at the bottom of the story.
Please contact Executive Editor Andrew Kerley, at editor@commonwealthtimes.org, to report inaccuracies.
Content Removal
The Commonwealth Times strives to preserve complete and accurate records of the publication, both online and in print. Therefore, The Commonwealth Times will not remove online content except within the discretion of the current student editorial staff. Any other errors will be amended in accordance with our corrections policy.
When submitting opinion content to The Commonwealth Times, columnists and cartoonists are expected to take accountability for their expressed opinions. Requests to remove an author or illustrator’s name from an archived work will be handled solely at the discretion of the current student editorial staff, but the standard policy is to preserve the work as it was originally published.
Where to Find a Copy
Where to Find a Copy
The Commonwealth Times publishes a print edition every Wednesday during VCU academic terms (except over fall break and spring break). Content from the print edition appears online before the Wednesday paper is delivered. Breaking news, sports and events coverage may appear exclusively online or several days before appearing in print.
The CT is delivered to the following locations during the fall and spring semesters between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. If the university is closed for inclement weather, copies will be delivered on the next open day.
Monroe Park Campus
• 500 Academic Center
• Academic Learning Commons
• Au Bon Pain
• Barnes & Noble @ VCU
• Blanton House
• Brandcenter
• Broad and Belvidere Student Apartments
• Cabell Library
• Cary & Belvidere Residential College (and SMC offices)
• Cary Street Gym
• Christian's Pizza
• College of Engineering - West Hall
• The Depot (VCUarts)
• Dunkin' Donuts
• Founders Hall
• Gladding Residence Center
• Grace and Broad Residence Center 1 and 2
• Harris Hall
• Harrison Street Cafe
• Health and Life Sciences Engineering Building
• Hibbs Hall
• Honors College
• Institute for Contemporary Art (ICA)
• Murry N. DePillars Building
• Pace Center
• Panera Bread
• Piccola Italy Pizza & Subs
• Pollak Building
• President's House
• Rhoads and Brandt Halls
• Shafer Court Dining Center
• Singleton Center for the Performing Arts
• Sitterding House
• Snead Hall
• T. Edward Temple Building
• University Student Commons - Info desk
• University Student Commons - Main Street entrance
• University Student Commons - OMSA suite
• Village Cafe
• Welcome Center
• West Grace North and West Grace South Residence Halls
Medical Campus
• Hunton Student Center
• Goodwin Research Center
• Critical Care Hospital
• Health Sciences Library
• Larrick Center
• McGlothlin Medical Education Center
• Sanger Hall
If you are interested in our Distribution Manager delivering print editions to your office or business on a biweekly basis, please contact Creative Media Manager Mark Jeffries at mjeffries@vcu.edu.
Limit one copy per person. Additional copies may be purchased through the Student Media Center for $1 a copy.
Subscribe to The CT Newsletter
Subscribe to The CT Newsletter
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The CT Staff
Staff
EXECUTIVE EDITOR
Andrew Kerley
Andrew is a senior double majoring in digital journalism and political science. He’s a lifelong Virginian dedicated to serving communities with quality, multimedia journalism that puts people first. Andrew formerly served as Audience Editor — as well as President of VCU’s Society of Professional Journalists Chapter, and as Senior Copy Editor for Ink Magazine. When he’s not in the newsroom, Andrew enjoys cooking big meals for his friends and playing artful video games. He intends to become a news reporter after graduation, and eventually start his own publication.
Molly is a senior majoring in digital journalism and minoring in Spanish. She loves reading, her cats and anything plant-related. She can be found exploring Richmond, going to concerts, and enjoying the outdoors most of the time. She hopes to travel the world while working in journalism in the future, after a few years of grad school.
Sapphira is a senior majoring in mass communications with a concentration in digital journalism. Born and raised in Richmond, one of her biggest passions is helping to tell the stories of people in her community. She plans on becoming a reporter in entertainment news after graduation.
When Sapphira isn’t at work, school or any of her other countless side quests, you can find her at your local book store over-spending.
When Sapphira isn’t at work, school or any of her other countless side quests, you can find her at your local book store over-spending.
Heciel is a senior working on a political science degree and Spanish-English translation and interpretation certificate. He has hopped around Virginia for over a decade and is from Puerto Rico, but he now lives in the city. When not working in or studying public service and policy, he is playing music, gaming, drawing or hyperfixating on the subject of his most recently-watched YouTube video.
Sal is a freshman majoring in mass communications with a concentration in digital journalism. He is from Newport News, but loves being in and writing about Richmond. Though he sticks to the news section, Sal loves watching his favorite team, the Brooklyn Nets, suck at basketball. He wanted to start news writing as soon as possible and hopes to continue after college. Besides writing, Sal loves watching movies, thrifting and playing tennis.
Drew is a senior double majoring in digital journalism and English. He is from Front Royal, the West Virginia of Virginia, but loves Richmond as his home away from home. His first love in sports was — and still is — soccer, but he also enjoys American football, basketball and baseball. When he’s not on campus, you can often find him hiding in his room playing video games or jogging around Richmond. Drew hopes that after graduation he will finally come to a decision on if he wants to go to graduate school or get an adult job. As long as he can keep writing and editing he’ll be happy!
Alexis is a senior majoring in mass communication with a concentration in broadcast journalism and a minor in sports management. She is from Chesapeake but instantly fell in love with Richmond. Her favorite sport is basketball, and she hopes one day she can meet her favorite player, Anthony Edwards. Alexis plans on pursuing a media career in sports after graduation.
Maeve Bauer is a junior majoring in art history. She has been with Spectrum since her freshman year, and can’t wait to continue as editor. In her free time, you can find Maeve reading, knitting, styling a fit or brain-rotting with her friends. Post-grad, she wants to continue with journalism and write for a newspaper or magazine with dreams of becoming RVA’s Carrie Bradshaw.
Cora is a senior majoring in mass communication with concentrations in digital journalism and media production. She is originally from Williamsburg, but fell in love with Richmond the second she set foot in the city. She has a passion for all things music and is often at a concert.
Katie is a senior English and gender, sexuality and women’s studies double major with a minor in professional writing and editing. When she is not agonizing over drafts she can often either be found absorbed in a political satire novel, playing a button-mashy combat video game, or arguing about the cultural significance of the oxford comma. Katie intends to pursue a graduate degree in English after graduation.
Shiny is a sophomore double majoring in bioinformatics and philosophy. She’s a Richmond native with a passion for engaging with the community she grew up in. Her love of her community inspired her to write opinion pieces voicing issues relevant to Richmonders of all backgrounds. Outside of writing, Shiny enjoys spending her time working as an EMT, or messing with her two cats, Missy and Jelly.
Bilan is a senior digital journalism and media production major. Born and raised in the NoVa area, she has always had a passion for telling people’s stories. In her free time, Bilan can be found journaling, watching movies or exploring the city. Bilan plans to pursue a career in media as a news producer and documentarian after graduation.
multimedia@commonwealthtimes.org
ASSISTANT MULTIMEDIA EDITOR
Ashley Davis
Ashley is a junior majoring in photo-film with a concentration in filmmaking. They spend most of their time creating art which includes painting, drawing, music, photography and film. Ashley plans to pursue a career in independent documentary filmmaking that prioritizes minority voices and social media management.
Kieran is a junior majoring in psychology and minoring in sociology. He spent most of his life staunchly devoted to fiction writing, only to fall backwards into a love for photo work and cinematography. While unsure exactly what he’ll pursue out of college, it’ll probably have something to do with studying the human condition; whether that be through words, pictures, music, psychiatry or some secret fifth thing he inadvertently falls in love with later.
Zoë is a junior majoring in communication arts. She spends most of her time making silly doodles, but when she ventures outside she loves to play soccer, work out, explore and collect zines. She’s currently learning how to roller skate — a very tricky process to say the least.
Naveen is a senior majoring in mass communications with a concentration in media production. She is interested in social media strategy and content creation. In her free time, Naveen can be found reading, watching reality TV or spending time with her dog, Tigerlily.
social@commonwealthtimes.org
Designers
ART DIRECTOR
Milena Paul
Mimi is a senior in the graphic design program. Their design practice is rooted in collection and questioning the boundaries of the mediums she engages with. She is interested in pursuing graphic prop design.
Zach is a multidisciplinary designer and senior majoring in graphic design. His passion for design is specialized in publishing and traditional printing mediums.
Marty is a research-based designer in their senior year of the graphic design program. She’s interested in general dissemination and queering post-Soviet studies through publishing and installation. Marty’s vibrant illustrative practice has been exhibited across Richmond, and abroad.
Raya is a designer and senior majoring in graphic design with minors in computer science and media studies. She is a side quest aficionado from Southwest Virginia who loves exploring the space where tech, design and narrative meet. When not behind a computer, she’s usually biking, kayaking or sitting on the lawn at the VMFA.
Quinn is a visual artist and senior majoring in graphic design with minors in marketing and French. He enjoys working in different mediums and experimenting with materiality, textures and treatments, abstraction and cultural research through publication. Aside from art he likes spending time outside and cooking.
Jenny is a senior majoring in mass communications with a concentration in journalism. Her love for playing sports sparked her passion to write about them. She enjoys attending live sporting events and being surrounded by the energetic atmosphere. She aspires to connect the community through creativity. In her free time, she likes to go outside, be active, and spend time with family and friends. Jenny also loves going on shopping sprees.
Ben is a junior double majoring in mass communications and political science. Ben has a variety of interests to include sports, fitness, reading and clothes. Upon graduation, Ben plans on getting a job as a reporter, hopefully in Virginia, which will allow him to stay close to friends and family.
Rachel is a sophomore double majoring in international studies and mass communication. An avid fiction writer, she decided to take her passion to The CT — specifically the Spectrum section. When she’s not uncovering the hidden gems of Richmond, she can be found creating/reading stories, going to concerts with her friends or mentally preparing for the day her dream of studying entertainment law comes true.
STAFF WRITER
Hayden Braun
Hayden is a senior majoring in digital journalism — and a huge Seattle sports fan. He is passionate about storytelling and writing. Hayden loves to spend time with friends and go on runs in his free time. He hopes to become a sports reporter after graduation.
STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Burke Loftus
Burke is a sophomore in VCU’s cinema program with a minor in media studies. His love for photography, storytelling and community led him to The CT. With his degree and passion for all things physical media, he currently plans on having a career in film archiving, preserving cinema and human history. When not in class, he is often shooting 35mm film photography, seeing a movie at the Byrd or second-hand shopping.
STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Landon Walker
Landon is a freshman in VCU’s arts foundation program with intentions of pursuing photography/film as a major. He hopes to become a great artist that is able to make an impact by taking photos or painting pictures that tell stories, convey messages and change minds.
STAFF ILLUSTRATOR
Abbos Soliev
Abbos is a senior studying economics and the Vice President of the Economics Club. He is also an occasional member of the philosophy club. But behind that he leads a not-so-secret double life as an illustrator/comic artist for The CT — while also DJ-ing the radio show “Kokoro” for WVCW. He enjoys stories of all kinds. His dream is to write/draw ones of his own.
STAFF PRODUCER
Sophie Tran
Sophie is a rising Junior enrolling public relations from all the way across the globe. Sophie’s music passion is fueled by a relentless pursuit of connection: her friends, her bandmates, her local community and music enjoyers. She loves to share music and jam with everyone. Her dream is to create events for music lovers and connect with the community — specifically, a dedicated program that serves others’ needs, like “Live Aid.”
STAFF PRODUCER
Abriana Ridgley
Abriana is a junior majoring in Cinema with a minor in entrepreneurship. With aspirations to work in the film industry, Abriana loves anything and everything film related. Abriana’s passion for film also sparks her constant exploration for new artistic mediums to present through visual art. On any given day you can find her walking trails, writing screenplays, or reading.
Join Us
Join Us
The Commonwealth Times is always seeking new writers, photographers and illustrators. No journalism experience is necessary for writers; your editor will provide you with the necessary guidance and training, although students with journalism experience are strongly encouraged to join.
Please fill out this Google Form so that we can evaluate your experience, interests and availability.
Advertise with The CT
Advertise with The CT
Do you want to reach 30,000+ members of the VCU community — students, faculty, staff, alumni and parents? The Commonwealth Times is the student-run on news source reaching the entire VCU campus! If you or your business are interested in advertising with The Commonwealth Times in the weekly print edition, on the CT website or in our weekly email newsletter, check out the 2025-2026 Media Kit with rates, sizes and a complete issue calendar.
Questions? Want us to put together a custom advertising package to meet your needs and budget? Email advertisesmc@vcu.edu.
Donate to The Commonwealth Times
Donate to The Commonwealth Times
The Commonwealth Times' spring 2026 staff gathers for a group photo. Photo by Kieran Stevens.
At The Commonwealth Times, we've always made a little go a long way. Now, you can help support our work and grow our organization.
The award-winning jornalists of The Commonwealth Times, the independent student newspaper at VCU, work hard to report the news at Virginia Commonwealth University with nuance, care and dedication. We’re a team of writers, photographers, editors, digital journalists and illustrators — and we need your help to ensure we continue to be one of the top weekly student papers in the region and the country.
