‘You belong here’: First-year and transfer students join the VCU community

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At New Student Convocation on Monday, a series of speakers welcomed Virginia Commonwealth University's first-year and transfer students to the Rams community, making sure to emphasize that the students were there to be more than passive spectators on campus. "We want you to help shape this institution," said VCU President Michael Rao, Ph.D.

"I am so excited that you're here," Rao said. "I'm so grateful that you are the new VCU."

The newest students arrived at convocation in the Stuart C. Siegel Center to black-and-gold balloons and ear-splitting greetings from an enthusiastic squad of student volunteers. The Peppas performed with their usual gusto, a preview of Siegel Center events to come. Faith Wilkerson, Ed.D., a three-time alum, served as emcee for the event.

Following convocation, the Peppas led the students across West Broad Street down Harrison Street and through campus to the University Student Commons area as part of the traditional Spirit Walk. Members of the VCU community cheered along the way. A Block Party immediately kicked off with activities, food and music.

Monday's events were the tone-setting start of Weeks of Welcome, the annual program that offers dozens of opportunities for new students to build community, explore interests and learn about VCU resources.

(Jonathan Haff, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

A community for exploration and different perspectives

Srija Doma, a junior majoring in bioinformatics and political science, told those in attendance at convocation that at VCU, "you will never have to choose just one path." Too often, she said, young people are pushed to narrow their interests, pick a defined identity and stick with it. However, she said, "no one ever made a true impact by staying in one lane."

Doma said she used to think that her two academic fields "were parallel lines that would never cross." At VCU, however, she said that notion has been flipped, and she has learned to bring them together in profound and impactful ways.

"The moment you step outside the classroom and look into your community, those rigid academic boundaries suddenly disappear," Doma said. "Progress is never the work of a single discipline. In my case, hard science and clinical data matters, absolutely. But so does the policy that implements it, the finance that funds it, and the communication that explains them. The real world is far too complex to be understood through only one lens."

VCU doesn't just tolerate those overlaps, Doma said - "it promotes them." Don't try to "squeeze into the traditional mode," she said, instead lean into the unexpected intersections where your different interests converge.

"We are part of a community where exploration is encouraged and where different perspectives can actually collide," Doma said.

(Allen Jones, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

Hernan Bucheli, Ed.D.,vice president for Strategic Enrollment Management and Student Success, shared with the group that they currently include more than 4,500 freshmen and more than 1,600 incoming transfers - the university's largest transfer class in five years. Bucheli said the students had come from many different places and taken many different journeys to get to that moment. However, they all shared one thing: "You belong here."

"Today marks the beginning of an exciting chapter in your academic and personal journey," Bucheli said. "Welcome to VCU, and welcome to the Ramily."

Bucheli stressed that VCU was eager to help the new students.

"As we're sitting here today, I want you to imagine another day - the day you walk across that commencement stage," Bucheli said. "There will be a lot of experiences between today and that day. Your success is at the heart of everything we do. And you're coming to VCU ready to succeed."

Bucheli recommended that students spend the first few weeks of their VCU experience making connections, talking to advisors, getting to know their professors and exploring student organizations. "Engagement matters," he said.

"Stay curious, stay connected and stay focused," Bucheli said.

(Dean Hoffmeyer, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

'Let It Glow'

The theme for convocation this year was "Let It Glow," and Arturo Saavedra, M.D., Ph.D., executive vice president and provost of VCU, asked students to think ambitiously about what they could accomplish and the impact that they could have on the world.

"I don't want any of you to sit in this arena, thinking that whatever efforts or education you gain you are too small to cause systemic change in society," Saavedra said. "Think of all of those things that not only upset you but things that you know ought to be better. Think of things that no one has ever thought before. Start a company with your classmates. Think of a beautiful creation of art that will impact knowledge and make people feel what you couldn't possibly describe with words. … This group right here? This group will change the world."

Rao said that he and his wife, Monica, had been impressed with the students and families that they had met during move-in weekend.

"We're so proud of all of you for bringing such positive energy, not only to VCU, but to Richmond," Rao said.

Rao urged students to start their VCU experience convinced that they will be successful.

"You're going to put in the time," Rao said. "You're going to work hard. You're going to think. You're going to do all the things that we were looking for when we admitted you to VCU. So don't let anxiety and thoughts of doubt creep in. That's not going to do you any good. There's no real value in questioning whether or not you're going to be successful. And there's no value in fearing failure. Why? Because you are going to have some failures here. Everything may not go the way that you want it to go or the way that you thought it would go, but you will learn from that and you will be successful."

As part of believing in themselves, Rao said it was essential that students "trust their gut" and avoid falling into the trap of letting other people guide them away from their own instincts and beliefs.

"Many sources are going to be out there trying to tell you what you should think and, worse than that, how you should feel," he said. "Nobody knows how you feel except you. And I want you to be you."

(Jonathan Haff, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)