VCU FI

Every year, FI faculty dedicate themselves to curricular and pedagogical innovation, service to the community, and impactful mentorship of @VCU students. The 2021-2022 Year End Report highlights just some of our recent achievements: tinyurl.com/2pnzjp4j

The bearer of good snooze: @VCU student Anirudh Mepperla's research project is behind new nap pods on campus. news.vcu.edu/article/2024/1…

Field trip! Yesterday we took a @VCU focused inquiry class out to explore how the system works (and get ice cream)

Micah’s range of experiences, from being a Mellon Research Fellow to a participant in The Warmth, shows what talented young thinkers can achieve with hard work, caring mentorship, and a supportive learning community.

Shoutout to former FI Peer Mentor Micah White! Read more about his inspiring journey and how the skilled mentorship of FI Instructor (and PACME winner) Nikki Fernandes helped him to grow 🌱 news.vcu.edu/article/2023/0…

To read more about Professor Fernandes' work creating and facilitating The Warmth, or to help fund this reading and writing retreat for young black thinkers, check out the program's website here! thewarmth.org

Feeling so inspired by FI Assistant Professor Nikki Fernandes, whose impact as a community organizer and youth mentor has been felt by countless members of the @VCU and Richmond communities. We're thrilled to celebrate her as a faculty winner of VCU's PACME awards!

Thank you to all the amazing student presenters who shared their work at the 2022-2023 Focused Inquiry Expo this week, and to all the students, faculty, family, and friends who came out to support them. It was a wonderful way to spend an afternoon in the FILL 🥰

Join us for the Focused Inquiry Expo this Wednesday, April 5th from 3:00-5:00 in the FILL! 29 talented FI students are scheduled to showcase their projects and talk with you about their process and inspiration. Stop by for as long or as little as you like and enjoy some snacks😃

Interested in learning about and fighting climate change? Join FI Professor Beth Kreydatus along with other campus partners at the Climate Teach-In this Friday from 12:00-4:00 in Cabell Library room 303 Learn more at isee.vcu.edu/media/isee/PRO…

‘Seek You’ selected as VCU’s 2023 Common Book. The graphic nonfiction text explores the ‘silent epidemic’ of loneliness in America and seeks to offer solutions as to how people can connect with those around them. news.vcu.edu/article/2023/0…

This evening, authorities in Memphis will release video from the tragic death of Mr. Tyre Nichols. We truly care about you & each of your lived experiences at VCU. We are here to support all of our entire community in the coming days. Read the full here: orange.hosting.lsoft.com/list/ov8ia944/…

It is with profound sadness that we share news about the death of VCU student Mahrokh Khan. @VCUpresident Rao and the entire VCU community extend our sincerest condolences to Mahrokh’s family, friends and all who knew her. Read the full message here: orange.hosting.lsoft.com/list/ov8ia944/…

Winners receive cash prizes ($100 for first place!) and have their work published in the next edition of the FI textbook.

The FI contests are open for submissions through Jan 31st! If you took UNIV111, 112, or 200 during Spring, Summer, or Fall 2022, you're eligible to submit essays or multimodal projects from class. docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAI…

For more info, join the virtual info session with some of the Italian faculty this Tuesday the 24th at 12:30 via Zoom vcu.zoom.us/j/84030336333

Are you interested in #studyabroad this summer? Check out this program in Sorrento, Italy, which includes a course taught by FI Professor Hilary Levinson vcu.studioabroad.com/index.cfm?Fuse…

Love Sydney's resilience and the theme of this whole @VCUnews series!! Shoutout to Michal Coffey and Nikki Fernandes for being there, this is what mentorship looks like! "A setback just sets the tone for a greater comeback" is now one of our favorite quotes! @VCU_FI @VCUCLC

Join us this Thursday at 1:00 in the Commons Theatre for a screening of Get Out, with a follow-up conversation about black bodies, trauma, and healthcare on Nov 3. Check out more @VCUCommonBook events and resources at commonbook.vcu.edu

Sometimes you just need a visual aid. As FI students processed what happened to Bruce Tucker in this year’s @VCUCommonBook Organ Thieves, a timeline of events helped them identity their biggest concerns in the case. #vcu2026 #vcu #organthieves #focusedinquiry