The College and Graduate School of Arts & Sciences has announced the awarding of SPARC Grants to 20 faculty members, providing support for research, scholarship, creative activity and innovative projects across a broad range of disciplines.
A grant from the UVA Arts & Sciences Seed and Planning Grants Program helped support a three-week research collaboration in Angola, where UVA doctoral students collaborated with institutions and researchers to mitigate the spread of malaria.
An international study co-led by UVA political scientist David Leblang uncovers new insight into one of today's pressing social challenges. The study found that loneliness is highest in lower-income countries and closely tied to economic conditions and access to supportive relationships. The findings suggest that reducing loneliness and its impact should be tailored to local communities and conditions rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all solution.
By working alongside graduate students, faculty, and research staff, undergraduate student researchers in Arts & Sciences contribute to groundbreaking projects across disciplines. They aren't just learning about discovery, they're helping drive it, while gaining hands-on experience and skills that will help shape their future careers and impact well beyond Grounds.
Chemistry professor Jill Venton has received the University’s highest honor for her groundbreaking discoveries in brain chemistry, furthering new understanding of neurological disorders. Sustained investment in research and education reflects critical support that enables faculty to advance discovery, train students, and extend UVA’s impact far beyond Grounds.
The Courtney Kampa Poetry Prize was named to honor and celebrate the life and legacy of A&S alumna Courtney Kampa, whose talent and love of poetry took shape during her time on Grounds. Established by her family, the annual award supports emerging writers in the Creative Writing Program while honoring Kampa’s lasting impact as a poet and teacher who inspired others to find their voice.
For Dareen Aloudeh ‘26, the path to a UVA degree began nearly 15 years ago in war-torn Syria. She resettled in Virginia, learned a new language, and returned to school as an adult. This spring, she graduated from A&S with a double major in Biology and Middle Eastern Language & Literature and earned the University’s Cultural Fluency Award.
A dedicated supporter of the College Fund and former Benefactors Society Board member, Maxwell Bonnie ’07 brings an entrepreneurial spirit and deep commitment to community to his engagement at UVA.
The 19 honored professors whose careers span decades of teaching, research, and service have shaped generations of students and advanced scholarship across disciplines. Their collective impact on UVA highlights the lasting value of hiring top faculty who educate, mentor, and drive discovery for years to come.
Members of the UVA Arts & Sciences Class of 2026 express gratitude to the faculty, graduate students, and staff who shaped their time on Grounds. The reflections highlight the relationships that defined their student experience and the lasting impact of mentorship in helping them identify their paths forward.
Tanya Holland '87 returned to Grounds bringing Virginia’s culinary history to life for students in her Summer Sessions class. Her journey back to the classroom after achieving a nationally recognized culinary career reflects the lasting impact of a UVA education and showcases how alumni engagement can enrich student learning. Sustained support for A&S fuels innovative teaching programs like Tanya’s and helps connect former and current Hoos in meaningful ways.
Retiring after nearly four decades at UVA, Deborah McDowell, Alice Griffin Professor of English, leaves a lasting mark. She played a key role in building the African American and African Studies department and the Woodson Institute. A pioneering scholar and mentor, McDowell continues to lead the Julian Bond Papers Project, making the life work of Civil Rights icon Julian Bond accessible to all.