Interested in working with other faculty and staff to engage more effectively with students from diverse backgrounds?
The Intercultural Competence Faculty Learning Community is open to faculty and staff who would like to work together to enhance skills, knowledge, and cultural awareness. The program will begin with a group intercultural competence assessment; subsequent sessions will be devoted to interactive activities, discussions, and reflective practices tailored to the group’s specific concerns. The goal is to foster meaningful dialogue with students and colleagues from all backgrounds.
Please contact Leslie Bohon (leslie.bohon@richmond.edu) or Libby Gruner (egruner@richmond.edu) for more information or to sign up.
Are you interested in promoting healing, equity, and community-building at UR? If so, we invite you to consider joining the Faculty Staff Learning Community (FSLC): Restorative Practices as Community and Justice-Building Tools.
Open to faculty, staff, and students, this FSLC creates a collaborative space to explore restorative justice (RJ) — an approach centered on repairing harm among individuals and communities — through hands-on practice with circle processes. These practices foster community-building, conflict resolution, goal setting, and dialogue across differences.
We'll meet on Oct. 3, Oct.17, and Nov. 14 from 1–2:30 p.m. In December, we'll also host a free, day-long Circle Process training led by world-renowned expert Kay Pranis.
For more information, please contact Monti Datta (mdatta@richmond.edu), Eunkyung (eunkyung.ahn@richmond.edu), or Kaylin Tingle (ktingle@richmond.edu).
UR is now a member of the Network for Change and Continuous Improvement (NCCI), a higher education-focused community dedicated to driving change and innovation.
All campus members can access free resources like toolkits, learning modules, and peer support by creating a personal account at https://ncci-cu.org/.
To request a step-by-step job aid for setting up your account, email Jess Clatterbuck at jessica.clatterbuck@richmond.edu.
Are you interested in helping students translate their education into a purposeful career? Engaging with the Richmond community? Do you want to show students how to understand their strengths, develop key competencies, and explore career paths? Propose an A&S NEXT 2026 case study. The deadline is Sept. 19 at 5 p.m.
Learn more.
Questions can be directed to Elizabeth Soady (esoady@richmond.edu).
Among baccalaureate colleges awarding credit for study abroad
—U.S. Department of State, Open Doors Report (2024)Agnieszka Szymańska, associate professor of art history, has been awarded membership to the Institute for Advanced Study, one of the world's foremost centers for theoretical research and intellectual inquiry. Szymańska is an expert on the architecture and painted decoration of late antique and medieval monasteries in the Mediterranean. Learn more.
Nigel James, assistant professor of health studies, published “Tackling the (un)affordability of medicines for cardiometabolic risk factors worldwide: a call to action” in BMJ Global Health.
Courtney Blondino, assistant professor of health studies, published “Generational Differences in Tobacco Use Patterns: Results from Wave 6 (2021) of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study (United States)” in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs with students Fernanda Moya Quezada, ‘26, and Caitlyn Hall, ‘26.
Jerry Clemmer, executive director of campus business services, received the National Association of College Auxiliary Services’ Cornerstones of the Profession Award. Honorees demonstrated extraordinary leadership, lasting impact on their institutions, and significant contributions to NACAS over a lifetime of service.
Isaac Skromne, associate professor of biology, published “A cell fate mapping simulation laboratory to increase undergraduate students’ understanding of early developmental processes in frog, zebrafish, and tunicate embryos” in the Journal of Microbiology and Biological Education.
Laura Fitrer, GC’16, has been named to Leadership Metro Richmond (LMR)’s flagship program, Leadership Quest, as a member of the class of 2026. Each year, LMR welcomes a diverse group of community leaders into Leadership Quest. This ten-month experience equips participants with the tools to drive lasting change in the greater Richmond region.
Crystal Hoyt, professor of leadership studies and psychology, co-published the article "Loneliness mindsets: A new measurement approach and implications for predicting wellbeing" in Behavioral Sciences.
Tom Shields, chair of graduate education and associate professor of education and leadership studies, moderated a rare meeting of the Richmond Public Schools Board and the Richmond City Council, including Superintendent Jason Kamras and Mayor Danny Avula. This was the first meeting of the two leadership groups since 2022.
The unveiling of its new sign marks the official renaming of the Office of International Education to the Center for Global Engagement. The new name better reflects the office’s mission and broad range of global engagements and relationships.
Law professor Carl Tobias is quoted.
Digital humanities professor Lauren Tilton is quoted.
Psychology professor Janelle Peifer is quoted.
Law professor Hank Chambers, a voting rights expert, is quoted.
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