L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs

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Emergency preparedness is “everyone’s responsibility,” said Shawn Talmadge, state coordinator of the Virginia Department of Emergency Management. (Getty Images)
News / March 11, 2024

At VCU session, Virginia emergency management leader stresses resiliency and responsibility

Shawn Talmadge, who earned his master’s at VCU, and is current the state coordinator of the Virginia Department of Emergency Management and deputy homeland security adviser. cites the value of state agency’s ties to the Wilder School and other partners.

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Congratulations to our graduates!
News / May 11, 2024

Congratulations graduates: register for the Wilder School Spring 2024 Commencement

The Wilder School will hold its spring ceremony on Saturday, May 11, 2024 at 5:30 p.m. at the Greater Richmond Convention Center. The VCU university-wide commencement will take place on Saturday, May 11 at 10 a.m. at the Greater Richmond Convention Center

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Yolanda Macklin Crewe, Ph.D., is Director of Operations, Career Education and Workforce Programs for the Virginia Community Colleges System.
News / March 5, 2024

Alumni Changemaker: Yolanda Macklin Crewe’s Journey in Workforce Development

In Virginia's dynamic interplay of education and workforce development, Yolanda Macklin Crewe, Ph.D., emerges not just as a participant but as a transformative force. With roots that trace back to the vibrant rural community of Emporia, her journey to leading workforce initiatives at the Virginia Community College System (VCCS) is a testament to her unwavering commitment to public service and innovative career development.

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News / February 14, 2024

Lunch and Learn "Building Resilience Across the Commonwealth of Virginia: It's More Than Just Responding"

Join us for an insightful Wilder School Lunch and Learn session with Shawn Talmadge (M.A.’09), Virginia's state coordinator of emergency management and deputy homeland security adviser, as we delve into strategies for building resilience in the face of increasing disasters. From extreme weather to cyberattacks, learn about the comprehensive approach Virginia employs to prepare and respond effectively.

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From left to right: David Webber, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness; RaJade Berry-James, Ph.D., Senior Associate Dean of Faculty and Academic Affairs; Susan Gooden, Ph.D., Dean of the Wilder School; and Michael Rao, Ph.D., President of Virginia Commonwealth University, gather to celebrate the inaugural National/International Recognition Awards (NIRA).
News / February 9, 2024

Wilder School faculty honored with Inaugural NIRA for distinguished contributions

Two Wilder School luminaries, Drs. RaJade Berry-James and David Webber, were celebrated as the first recipients of VCU's National/International Recognition Awards (NIRA) on February 8. Discover how their groundbreaking work in public administration and homeland security is setting national and international benchmarks, and what this prestigious recognition means for the future of public service and security research.

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Wilder School undergraduates Magdalena Ray, Sarah Jones, Ava Wilde, alongside VCU Health's Carol Olson, graduate student Caroline Wagner, alumni Grace Berigan, and Lindsay Cassada of Chesterfield County’s Domestic and Sexual Violence Resource Center, unite at the Virginia General Assembly for the Put Victims First Day of Action
News / February 7, 2024

Wilder School students advocate for change at Virginia's Capitol

In an exemplary blend of academic study and real-world application, students from the Wilder School's CRJS316 Victimology and Victimization course recently made their mark at the Virginia General Assembly. Their participation in the Put Victim's First Day of Action was a significant step from theoretical learning into the realm of legislative lobbying for victim rights.

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Almost 6 in 10 Virginians would vote yes in a referendum regarding abortion rights in the commonwealth.
News / January 30, 2024

Wilder School Commonwealth Poll: Over half of Virginians would vote to give every individual the right to make and carry out one’s own reproductive decisions

Majority of Virginians also support increasing penalties for drug dealers, legalizing marijuana and prohibiting parents from having ability to ban a book from a school’s library.

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Earlier this year, it was reported that VCU spent $73 million to back out of a development deal for the building of a new downtown facility with the City of Richmond. Later, it was reported that the financing could be $100 million more than the quoted cost and VCU received nothing for their money.
News / January 23, 2024

VCU administration negates Virginians’ voices, maligns Wilder School Commonwealth Poll credibility in conflict of interest over failed VCU Health development deal

This message is a direct response to the damaging and factually inaccurate attacks on the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs Commonwealth Poll, published on January 22, 2024. VCU top administrators and VCU News have challenged Virginians’ candid concerns about the failed Clay Street VCU Health real estate deal, the exit of which has thus cost VCU more than $83 million dollars and has the potential to exceed $100 million by the time all fees have been paid.

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Earlier this year, it was reported that VCU spent $73 million to back out of a development deal for the building of a new downtown facility with the City of Richmond. Later, it was reported that the financing could be $100 million more than the quoted cost and VCU received nothing for their money.
News / January 22, 2024

92% of those familiar with VCU Health development deal want answers from the VCU Health System board

Earlier this year, it was reported that VCU spent $73 million to back out of a development deal for the building of a new downtown facility with the City of Richmond. Later, it was reported that the financing could be $100 million more than the quoted cost and VCU received nothing for their money.

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Jada Whitley, a dedicated student with dual majors in criminal justice and homeland security and Emergency Preparedness, will proudly represent the Class of 2023 as the student speaker at the Wilder School's Graduation Ceremony on December 8.
News / December 6, 2023

Embracing Challenges: The Making of an Aspiring Change-Maker

As the VCU Wilder School community eagerly anticipates the upcoming Fall Graduation Ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 8, we spotlight a remarkable Fall Class of 2023 member, Jada Whitley. Whitley, set to graduate with dual undergraduate degrees in Criminal Justice and Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, has been honored with the role of student speaker, representing her class.

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