Wilder School in Action Publications
Each spring and fall, the Wilder School publishes the Wilder School in Action magazine highlighting the work of our faculty, staff, students, and alumni. If you would like to be included on the mailing list for a print copy, please email wilderschool@vcu.edu.
Fall - Winter 2024 Wilder School in Action Magazine
Did you know that U.S. News & World Report ranks the Wilder School as No. 6 in the nation for Homeland Security? The Fall - Winter 2024 edition feature story demonstrates the impact and outcomes of this leading edge program. In a critical election year, Governor Wilder shares his voice during the 2024 Wilder Symposium as well as amplifies the voices of Virginians with the Wilder School Commonwealth Poll. We also explore faculty accomplishments, such as Amy Cook and Nancy Morris' Project ReConnect, which will support transition of recently incarcerated individual as well as create student internships. You'll hear from Charity Scott on the impacts of "philanthropic whitewashing" and the equity-based challenges facing grant funding for underrepresented groups. Learn more about alumni Sean Sukol and Yolanda Macklin Crewe. We also cover our largest ever Wilder Graduate Scholars Fellowship group and students participating in the commonwealth's Governor's Fellows Program. Recent criminal justice graduate Deja Cook blends criminal justice and emergency preparedness with her work at VCU Health. We also celebrate the life of urban and regional planning graduate and feng shui expert Kevin Allen Waters.
The Spring 2024 edition of Wilder School in Action Magazine presents impactful endeavors and narratives from the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs at VCU. Alongside the "A National Ovation to L. Douglas Wilder Gala" celebrating Governor Wilder's legacy, readers explore stories like the Wilder Graduate Scholars Fellowship and innovative student projects. Insightful research studies, such as Professors Chen and Suen's examination of pharmacy accessibility in Virginia, showcase the school's commitment to addressing societal challenges. Profiles like Joy Bogese's, highlighting her journey from battling addiction to becoming a peer recovery specialist, underscore the transformative power of hope, strengthening our dedication to public service and community impact. Additionally, a Q&A with Governor Wilder analyzes key issues impacting Virginians and Americans this election year through the Wilder School Commonwealth Poll, offering valuable insights into public opinion and policy discourse. Join us in celebrating the Wilder School's mission of shaping a more equitable society through public service and leadership in this edition.
Follow three Virginia Capitol Semester students as they explore legistlative internships in the commonwealth's capitol in this edition's feature story. You'll also hear about the Wilder School Commonwealth Poll from our school's namesake, Governor L. Douglas Wilder. Faculty member Sarah Raskin gets to the root of dental health disparities, alumna Sesha Joi Moon establishes an unprecendented fellowship, and Wilder School Senior Associate Dean of Faculty and Academic Affairs RaJade M. Berry James begins her term as President of the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA).
Our Spring 2023 editions features Elsie Harper-Anderson's entrepreneurial equity research in Richmond, the RVA Eviction Lab's tools for visualizing evictions in Virginia, and interactive VR research on youth's perceptions of police interrogations with Hayley Cleary. Also featured is environmental disaster planning and recovery through an equity lens with Curtis Brown, National Guard training experiences with Churnoh Wurie, and the transformative careers of alumni changemakers Joshua Son and Myra Goodman Smith.
The Fall 2022 magazine explores the growing impacts of the Research Institute for Social equity; shares an update on an NSF grant to fight opioids; examines housing stability and historical displacement of Richmond Black communities; recaps the NASPAA presidency of Susan Gooden, dean of the Wilder School; and introduces profiles on alumni Leach Fremouw and Steven Keener
The Spring 2022 edition explores undergraduates' experience as legislative aides with the Capitol Semester internship; introduces the new criminal justice Bridging Perspectives course; shares alumni profiles on public servant Joe Damico and real estate entrepreneur LeQuan Hylton; highlights alumnus Ron Tillett and the Wilder School scholarship he supports; reviews Governor Wilder's role as the voice of the Commonwealth Poll; and shared the accomplishments of faculty, students and alumni.
The Fall 2021 edition highlights the work of Wilder School Dean Susan Gooden and her unwavering focus on social equity issues; a celebration of our School's namesake, Governor L. Douglas Wilder, and several recent milestones including the 30th anniversary of his historic election as the nation's first African American governor and turning 90 years old; faculty member Brie Haupt, Ph.D.'s work and new book on cultural competency; and alumnus Anthony Starke's teaching and research on issues of race, democracy, identity and equity.
Spring 2021
The Wilder School in Action publication was placed on a brief hiatus.
The Fall 2020 edition includes stories of faculty, students and administration on the front lines of fighting the dual pandemics of COVID-19 and structural racism; a timely Q&A with Governor Wilder; scholarly research on the key determinants of success for Muslim immigrants; and an alumni profile of VDEM agency head and co-founder of the Institute for Diversity in Emergency Management Curtis Brown (Cert.’09/GPA; MA’11/GPA). This edition also highlights the contributions of former FBI administrator Eric Witzig (M.S.’95/GPA). Witzig, who died in February, provided a transformative gift to support undergraduate students in criminal justice.
Spring 2020 highlights include celebrating The Honorable L. Douglas Wilder's legacy; the work of the Wilder School's Center for Public Policy; and a profile of Dr. Christina Mancini and her work to fight crime with research.
Fall 2019 highlights include the Wilder School's hosting of a Public Policy & International Affairs Program (PPIA) Public Service Weekend; celebrating the Excellence in Government Awards; and a profile of Dr. Blue Wooldridge as he transitions to a distinguished career professor and professor emeritus.