General Faculty & Staff Resources

The Arts Research Center team supports faculty research development through a variety of initiatives, including School and University level opportunities and external funding submissions. Full-time faculty members interested in grant-seeking and/or project development can Click here to get started and learn more about the Arts Research Center.

The following principles provide additional guidance for the School of the Arts regarding the new university guidance regarding course modalities. All employees in the School of the Arts who have a responsibility as an instructor of record for at least one course, including full-time faculty, adjunct faculty, and graduate students, are expected to follow these principles:

Principles:

  1. Courses must be taught in their assigned modality. Exceptions for a modality change for an individual class session should be communicated beforehand to the department chair/school director or designee. If the modality of multiple sessions for a course needs to be changed, the department chair/school director or designee should consult with the Dean’s office.
  2. In general, cancellations of class sessions should be avoided. When possible, the instructor should seek approval from their department chair/school director or designee and arrange for an alternative to the class session that might include an online session or an alternate instructor.
  3. Classes should only be canceled when the instructor of record faces a sudden emergency (illness or otherwise), and no alternate plans can be arranged on short notice. The class cancellation should be communicated to the students, department chair, school director, or designee (see below).
  4. The absence of any instructor of record should be known by their department or school leadership. A faculty member must contact their department chair/school director or designee; the department chair/school director or designee must communicate the method of this contact at the beginning of every semester. Failure to notify the chair or designee in a reasonably timely manner will be noted in the annual evaluation.
  5. If a course is taught asynchronously, it is understood that assignments or other course activities may be delayed for a short period due to a sudden emergency. Faculty teaching such courses will notify their chair/director, and departments/schools should identify an alternate instructor as soon as possible.
  6. In cases where graduate teaching assistants lead a course section, the instructor of record who oversees the course should have a transparent, written process in place to ensure that the section is taught in the event the TA is absent.

Visit the Policies and Procedures page for the following guidelines: School of the Arts Governance, VCUarts Safety Manual, Photography Guidelines, and Posting Guidelines

For more information about VCUarts Brand, the VCU identity, and VCUarts social media accounts, view our guides here. Any deviation from these rules and standards must be submitted to the VCUarts Communications Office for approval.

Adjunct Faculty Resources

This award recognizes an outstanding member of the School of the Arts adjunct faculty who best represents the contribution of adjunct faculty to the mission of the School of the Arts. All persons who have taught on adjunct contracts during the year of recognition review are eligible for consideration.

Nominate a colleague using the online form.

The Anderson presents an annual VCUarts Excellence in Adjunct Research Exhibition, which functions as a recognition of and showcase for the outstanding adjunct research being conducted here at VCUarts. It provides a solo exhibition opportunity, performance or another relevant format to a VCUarts adjunct faculty member. Contact theanderson@vcu.edu for more information. 

Teach a course open to all VCUarts majors at the 300 or 400 level. Contact James Wiznerowicz, associate dean for academic affairs, at jpwiznerowic@vcu.edu for more information.

VCUarts adjunct faculty with a VCU eID are eligible for a free Creative Cloud Enterprise subscription. Adjunct faculty will receive access to a suite of Adobe programs, including After Effects, Audition, Behance, Character Animator, Dreamweaver, Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, Premiere Pro and many more.

Visit adobe.vcu.edu to sign up.

Terms and Conditions of Employment
Terms and Conditions of Employment for Adjunct Faculty Appointment (.PDF)

Adjunct Faculty Tuition Waiver
One of the benefits of working at VCU is the access to pursuing or continuing your own education. Apply for a tuition waiver on the VCU Human Resources website.

Summer Courses and Summer Study Abroad Programs
VCU offers opportunities for summer courses and study abroad. For summer and intercession teaching opportunities, contact your department chair(s). Contact Stephanie Tignor, director of education abroad, at davenportse@vcu.edu for information on study abroad.

Adjunct Faculty Benefits
Browse additional benefits and resources for adjunct faculty on the VCU Human Resources website.

 

Communications Support

If you or your department needs support with graphic design, news, web, social media, or other communications services, submit a request to the VCUarts Communications Office. Services are available to School of the Arts employees and include profile updates, newsletter stories, business cards, web content, posters, postcards, social media graphics, promotional items, brochures, and multi-page publications.
Request communications support

Admissions Related Communications Support

You can request admissions-related projects, including updates to the admissions section of the VCUarts website, email content, document editing and/or proofreading, etc.
Request Admissions related support

Technology Support

We are here to help. Our mission is to provide top-tier service in deployment, maintenance, and technology support, implement your department's technology decisions, and ensure compliance with state and university policies, guidelines, and software licensing. We maintain a comprehensive inventory of technology assets for accurate life-cycle reporting and advise departments on software and hardware purchases to ensure compatibility with VCUarts standards.
Request tech support

Faculty & Staff News

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Awards & Recognition

2024

Emily Smith headshot

Emily Smith Assistant Professor, Department of Interior Design

Faculty Award for Distinguished Achievement in Teaching

Cat Samples Adjunct Faculty, Department of Communication Arts

Faculty Award for Distinguished Adjunct

Morgan Barnett Administrative Affairs Coordinator for Narrative Media

Dean’s Outstanding Achievement Award

Previous Award Winners

Please note: the academic ranks of faculty and department name may have changed since the time of award.

This award is an acknowledgement bestowed upon an individual who actively promotes inclusive excellence. This person contributes to and enhances the School of the Arts and art communities through a sustained commitment to improve opportunities for the diverse communities we serve. 

  • 2018 Rebecca Tyree – Assistant Professor, Music, posthumous
  • 2017 Courtnie Wolfgang – Associate Professor, Art Education

The purpose of this award is to honor outstanding contributions to the art of teaching by a faculty member in the School of the Arts. Teaching and Research faculty members who have produced remarkable work are eligible. The award is given for teaching-related activity and may be given for specific initiatives that demonstrate innovativeness or creativity in teaching or for general excellence in professing one’s discipline as evidenced by engaged students, commitment, and/or ongoing improvements of teaching in the arts.

  • 2022 Jamie Mahoney – Associate Professor, Graphic Design
  • 2021 Camden Whitehead – Associate Professor, Interior Design
  • 2020 Hawa Stwodah – Assistant Professor, Fashion Design + Merchandising
  • 2019 Deidra Arrington –Associate Professor, Fashion Design + Merchandising
  • 2018 Nicole Killian – Assistant Professor, Graphic Design
  • 2017 Judith Steel – Associate Professor, Dance + Choreography
  • 2016 Stephen Vitiello – Professor and Graduate Program Director, Kinetic Imaging
  • 2015 Roberto Ventura – Associate Professor, Interior Design
  • 2014 Reni Gower – Professor, Painting + Printmaking
  • 2013 Christian Von Howard – Associate Professor, Dance + Choreography
  • 2012 Hope D. Ginsburg – Assistant Professor, Art Foundation
  • 2011 Susan Ganch – Assistant Professor, Craft/Material Studies
  • 2010 Margaret Lindauer – Associate Professor, Art History
  • 2008 Pam T. Taylor – Associate Professor, Kinetic Imaging
  • 2007 Kristin Caskey – Associate Professor, Fashion Design + Merchandising
  • 2006 Kendall Buster – Associate Professor, Sculpture + Extended Media
  • 2005 Jack Wax – Associate Professor, Craft/Material Studies
  • 2004 John Guthmiller – Professor, Music
  • 2003 Lester VanWinkle – Professor, Department of Sculpture + Extended Media
  • 2002 David Burton – Professor, Art Education
  • 1999 Fredrika Jacobs – Associate Professor, Art History

The purpose of this award is to honor outstanding contributions to academic and creative research scholarship. Teaching and Research faculty members (term, tenure-eligible, or tenured) who have produced remarkable work are eligible. The award is given for products of research and scholarship that demonstrates significant depth of creativity and vision; creative and innovative developments of theory, method, form; or extensions of the frontiers of knowledge to the arts that constitutes substantial contributions to intellectual and artistic communities.

  • 2022 Susie Ganch – Associate Professor, Craft/Material Studies
  • 2021 Lily Cox-Richard – Assistant Professor, Art Foundation and Sculpture + Extended Media
  • 2019 Pamela Lawton, Ph.D – Professor, Art Education
  • 2018 Catherine Roach – Associate Professor, Art History
  • 2017 Semi Ryu – Associate Professor, Kinetic Imaging
  • 2016 Kendall Buster – Professor, Sculpture + Extended Media
  • 2015 Sonya Clark – Professor, Craft/Material Studies
  • 2014 Michael Schreffler – Associate Professor, Art History
  • 2012 Brian Ulrich – Assistant Professor, Photography + Film
  • 2011 Michael Jones McKean – Assistant Professor, Sculpture + Extended Media
  • 2010 Sandra Wheeler – Associate Professor, Graphic Design
  • 2009 Stephen Vitiello – Professor and Interim Chair, Kinetic Imaging
  • 2008 Pamela G. Taylor – Chair, Art Education
  • 2007 Scott Putman – Associate Professor, Dance + Choreography
  • 2006 Robert Hobbs – Professor and Eminent Scholar, Art History
  • 2005 Alan Rosenbaum – Professor, Craft/Material Studies
  • 2004 Robert Kaputof – Professor, Communication Arts and Design
  • 2003 Rob Carter – Professor, Communication Arts and Design
  • 2002 Robert Meganck – Professor, Communication Arts and Design
  • 2001 David Freed – Professor, Painting + Printmaking

The purpose of this award is to honor outstanding contributions to service by a faculty member in the School of the Arts. Teaching and Research faculty members (term, tenure-eligible, or tenured) who have produced remarkable work are eligible. The award is given for superior service to the school, the university, the profession and/or the wider community. This superior service may be a culmination of activities that extend beyond normal expectations, make unique contributions and/or provide longstanding leadership with significant impact.

  • 2022 Sonali Gulati – Professor, Photography + Film
  • 2022 E. Gaynell Sherrod, Ed.D. – Professor, Dance + Choreography
  • 2020 Tabatha Easley – Associate Professor, Music
  • 2018 Carolyn Phinizy – Assistant Professor, Art History
  • 2017 Holly Alford – Associate Professor, Fashion Design + Merchandising
  • 2016 Debbie Quick – Assistant Chair, Craft/Material Studies
  • 2015 Ashley Kistler – Associate Professor
  • 2014 Ronald Keller – Professor, Theatre
  • 2013 Dr. Melanie Buffington – Associate Professor, Art Education
  • 2012 Elissa C. Armstrong – Associate Director, Art Foundation
  • 2011 John Demao – Interim Chair, Graphic Design
  • 2010 Melanie Day – Assistant Professor, Music
  • 2008 Martha Curtis – Professor, Dance + Choreography
  • 2007 Aaron Anderson – Associate Professor, Theatre
  • 2006 Susan Iverson – Professor, Craft/Material Studies
  • 2005 Charles Brownell – Professor, Art History
  • 2004 Charles Bleick – Professor, Art Education
  • 2003 Marvin Sims – Professor, Theatre
  • 2002 John Malinoski – Associate Professor, Communication Arts and Design
  • 2000 Charles Bleick – Professor, Art Education
  • 1999 Joseph Seipel – Associate Professor, Sculpture

This award recognizes an outstanding member of the School of the Arts adjunct faculty who best represents the contribution of adjunct faculty to the mission of the School of the Arts. All persons who have taught on adjunct contracts during the year of recognition review are eligible for consideration. They may be recognized for the culmination of their teaching or research, or excellence for a one-time contribution in these areas.

  • 2022 Kelly Alder – Adjunct Professor, Communication Arts
  • 2021 Barry O’Keefe – Adjunct Professor, Art Foundation Program
  • 2020 Julia Pfaff – Adjunct Professor, Fashion Design + Merchandising
  • 2019 Jennie Cook – Adjunct Professor, Fashion Design + Merchandising
  • 2018 Nia Burks – Adjunct Professor, Kinetic Imaging

This award recognizes an outstanding classified staff member of the School of the Arts who best represents the contribution to their unit and the mission of the school. Any full-time classified employee of VCUarts who held an employment contract during the year of recognition review is eligible. They may be recognized for the culmination of their service, or excellence for a one-time contribution. 

  • 2022 Brad Birchett – Academic Advisor, Communication Arts
  • 2021 Michelle Anderson – Administrative Coordinator, Theatre
  • 2020 Curt Blankenship – Classified Staff, Music
  • 2019 Matthew Charboneau – Design Technology and Program Coordinator, Graphic Design
  • 2018 Linda Johnston – Administrative Director, Music

This award recognizes an outstanding University and Academic Professional (UAP) member of the School of the Arts who best represents the contribution to their unit and the mission of the School of the Arts. Any full-time UAP employee of VCU School of the Arts who held an employment contract during the year of recognition review is eligible for this consideration. They may be recognized for the culmination of their service, or excellence for a one-time contribution.

  • 2022 Tabatha Dunlap – Assistant Director of Finance
  • 2021 Kelly Kerr – Development
  • 2020 Kim Catley – UAP
  • 2019 Teresa Engle Ilnicki –Senior Associate Director of Communications
  • 2018 Christopher Deane – Director of Operations, VCUarts

  • 2018 Virginia Repertory Theatre

  • 2015 Antonio Garcia – Professor, Music
  • 2014 Richard Roth – Professor, Painting and Printmaking
  • 2012 Aaron D. Anderson – Associate Chair, Theatre
  • 2011 Charles West – Professor, Music
  • 2010 Sonali Gulati – Associate Professor, Photography and Film
  • 2009 Rex Richardson – Associate Professor, Music
  • 2008 Reni Gower – Professor, Painting and Printmaking
  • 2007 Karen Videtic – Chair, Fashion Design and Merchandising
  • 2006 David Leong – Chair, Theatre
  • 2005 Terry Austin – Professor, Music
  • 2004 Dennis Rexroad – Professor, Communication Arts and Design
  • 2003 Paul Petrie – Professor, VCU Qatar
  • 2002 Carlton Newton – Associate Professor, Sculpture + Extended Media
  • 2001 Howard Risatti – Professor, Art History
  • 2000 Chris Burnside – Associate Professor, Dance and Choreography
  • 1999 Babatunde Lawal – Professor, Art History

VCUarts Standing Committees

Carmenita Higginbotham, Ph.D., Dean – Committee Chair

Amir Berbić, Dean, VCUarts Qatar

Christiana Lafazani, Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs and Research
James Wiznerowicz, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Chair, Music
Holly Alford, Assistant Dean, Director of Inclusion and Equity and Acting Chair, Dance + Choreography
Jody Symula, Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and Art Foundation Program Lead
Kristin Caskey, Senior Director of Fine Arts and Acting Chair, Sculpture + Extended Media
Jon-Phillip Sheridan, Senior Director of Narrative Media and Chair, Photography + Film
Melyatta Powers, Senior Executive Director of Finance
Jessica Bell Brown, Executive Director, Institute for Contemporary Art
Sarah Hendricks, Executive Director of Development
Kelly Kerr, Interim Executive Director of Communications
Kelly Teeling, Executive Director of Recruitment and Admissions
Christopher ‘Dinkus’ Deane, Director of Operations
Ryan Ellington, Director of Human Resources
John Hendershot, Director of Academic Advising
Robert Sandkam, Director of Information Technology
Traci Garland, Managing Director, Institute for Contemporary Art

Deidra Arrington, Chair, Fashion Design + Merchandising
Peter Baldes, Chair, Painting + Printmaking
Jason Bennett, Chair, Communication Arts
Bonnie McCoy, Chair, Department of Theatre
Cynthia Myron, Chair, Craft/Material Studies, and Director of Graduate Studies
Ryan Patton, Chair, Art Education
Lauren Thorson, Chair, Graphic Design
Roberto Ventura, Chair, Interior Design
Stephen Vitiello, Chair, Kinetic Imaging
Tobias Wofford, Chair, Art History
Yossera Bouchtia, Director, Cinema

Melanie Christian, Executive Assistant and Strategic Projects Coordinator for the Dean, ex-officio member

Second and Fourth Wednesdays, 9 – 10 a.m., Dean’s Office Conference Room, Pollak 201

James Wiznerowicz, Associate Dean – Committee Chair

ARTF, Jody Symula
ARTH, Michelle Yee
CINE, Prashanth Kamalakanthan
COAR, Eric Weichel
CRAF, Susie Ganch
DANC, Gaynell Sherrod
FASH, Jarvis Jefferson
GDES, Laura Chessin
IDES, Sara Reed
KINE, Stephanie Thulin
MUSC, Justin Alexander
PAPR, Noah Simblist
PHTO, Sasha Waters
SCPT, Michael Jones McKean
THEA, Jesse Njus

Third Wednesday of the month at 4 p.m.

Holly Alford and Jackie Mullins – Committee Co-Chairs

ARTE, Veronica Hicks
ARTF, Chelsea Lee
DANC, Eric Rivera
ARTH, Babatunde Lawal
COAR, Miguel Carter-Fisher
FASH, Jackie Mullins
GDES, Herdimas Anggara
IDES, Tim Hamnett
KINE, Semi Ryu
PAPR, Sandy Zohore
SCPT, Jeremy Toussaint Baptiste
THEA, David Toney

Second Tuesdays, 5 p.m., Dean’s Office Conference Room, Pollak 201

 Paul Thulin and Michael Jones-McKean (Fall ’24) – Committee Co-Chairs

ARTF, Molly McFadden
ARTH, Lisa Freiman
COAR, Ernesto Rodriguez Cruz
CINE, Kevin Gallagher
CRAF, Jack Wax
DANC, Trebien Pollard
FASH, Jeannine Diego
GDES, Steven Hoskins
IDES, Laura Battaglia
KINE, Hope Ginsburg
PAPR, Jacob Broussard
PHTO, Paul Thulin-Jimenez
THEA, Nicole Cowan
SCPT, Michael Jones-McKean (Fall ’24)

Third Wednesdays, 9:30 a.m.

Cindy Myron – Committee Chair

Kat Wilson, Coordinator of Graduate Studies
ARTE, Yiwen Wei
ARTH, Eric Garberson
CMS, Blair Clemo
IDES, Kristin Carleton
GDES, nicole killian
KINE, Kate Sicchio
PAPR, Holly Morrison
PHTO, J Molina-Garcia
SCPT, Kendall Buster
THEA, Keith Kirk

Tuesdays, as needed, 6 p.m.

Steven Hoskins – Committee Chair 

ARTE, Sara Wilson McKay
ARTH, Kathleen Chapman
COAR, Sterling Hundley
CRAF, Elissa Armstrong
DANC, MK Abadoo
FASH, Kim Guthrie
GDES, David Shields
KINE, Shawn Brixey
MUSC, Bruce Hammel
PAPR, Cara Benedetto
PHTO, Mark Boulos
SCPT, Massa Lemu
THEA, Karen Kopryanski

ARTF, Jordan Marty
CRAF, Jack Wax
COAR, Anna Karakalou
GDES, Luiza Dale
IDES, SeugHo Lee
KINE, Bob Paris
PAPR, Sandy Zohore
PHTO, Mary Beth Reed
SCPT, Corin Hewitt

Meetings scheduled as needed

Mary Caton Lingol, English Department, Committee Chair and Program Director

KINE, Bob Paris

Chris Norris – Committee Chair

COAR, Peter Sakievich & TyRuben Ellingson
CRAF, Hillary Fayle
FASH, Kevin Sellars
GDES, Lauren Thorson
KINE, Stephen Vitiello
PAPR, Hilary Wilder
PHTO, Nadiya Nacorda
SCPT, Massa Lemu

Jessica Casey, Performing Arts – Committee Chair

Dean’s Office, Joanne Biggs
Development, Charlotte Couch
Institute for Contemporary Art, Nebiat Gereme
Creative Print Bureau, Cassie Knudsen
Admissions, Colleen Marino
Theatre, Kevin McGranahan
Narrative Media, Dae Newman

artstaff@vcu.edu

University Committees

3-year term, elected

Meeting Time: First Tuesday, 4–6 p.m.
facultysenate.vcu.edu

Holly Alford, FASH, HON
Gaynell Sherrod, DANC, HON
Lily Cox-Richard, SCPT (2026)
SHAWNÉ MICHAELAIN HOLLOWAY, KINE (2027)
Hala Auji, ARTH (2026)
Jeremy Toussaint-Baptiste, SCPT (2027)
Rudy Lopez, FASH (2025)

 

Alternates:

Jackie Mullins, FASH (2025)

George Stoffan, MUSC (2025)

2-year term, elected

Meeting Time: First Thursdays, 3–5 p.m.
www.council.vcu.edu

Stephen Alcorn, COAR, elected, tenured (2026)
Hope Ginsburg, KINE, elected, tenured (2025)

Alternate: John Freyer, PHOTO (2025)

3-year term, elected
graduate.vcu.edu/facstaff/council

Holly Morrison, PAPR (2026)
Mary Beth Reed, PHTO (2025)

3-year term, elected

Ying-Fang Shen, COAR (2027)
Sonali Gulati, PHOTO (2026)
Bob Paris, KINE (2027)
Eric Rivera, DANC (2026)

Alternates:
Chelsea Flowers, AFO (2027)
Renee Lamb, FASH (2027)

Appointed

Molly McFadden, AFO (2025)

2-year term

Sara Reed, IDES, Fall 2026
Filipe Leitao, MUSC, Fall 2025

 

3-year term, appointed

Kate Roach, ARTH (2026)

3-year term, appointed

Patrick Smith, MUSC (2027)

3-year term, appointed

Jenny Cook, FASH (2026)