Responding to strong student interest, UVA is expanding its Program on Constitutionalism and Democracy with three distinguished faculty members and a broader interdisciplinary mission. Supported in part by philanthropic partners, the expansion demonstrates how investing in extraordinary talent can enrich undergraduate education, foster collaboration across disciplines and strengthen UVA’s leadership in the study of democracy.
An overlooked collection of dried plants in a Puerto Rican archive became the foundation for award-winning research by UVA Ph.D. candidate Elizabeth Mirabal. Fellowships, travel funding and faculty mentorship enabled Mirabal to pursue her discovery across borders, illustrating how investment in graduate excellence gives emerging scholars the resources to expand knowledge in unexpected ways.
As the University shapes its next strategic plan, President Scott Beardsley is drawing on input from across the UVA community to identify the priorities that will guide its future. Emerging themes include academic and research excellence, deeper faculty-student connections, interdisciplinary collaboration and affordability, all areas where Arts & Sciences will play a central role in advancing UVA’s mission.
Dean Christa Acampora explores the lasting value of a liberal arts education and its power to cultivate judgment, discernment, empathy, and courage. It is an education that prepares students not only to shape their own lives, but to contribute meaningfully to their communities.
PST celebrated its 50th anniversary with a symposium for alumni, faculty and current students made possible by philanthropic support. A recent significant gift alongside other generous donations have helped secure the future of PST and serve as a model for expanding interdisciplinary majors across Arts & Sciences.
Decades ago, passionate alumni helped form the Foundation to ensure the philanthropic support the needed by the College to flourish. Twenty-five years and a billion dollars later, the Foundation is still advancing the academic mission of Arts & Sciences thanks to generations of benevolent alumni, parents, and friends.
UVA opened its doors to students and held its very first “College” classes in 1825. Today, its academic mission is stronger than ever, thanks in part to donor support. To celebrate, Arts & Sciences is kicking off a year-long bicentennial celebration.
A formal Investiture Ceremony recently celebrated 16 faculty who were awarded prestigious named professorships. Philanthropic support makes these possible to recognize top professors for contributions to research, teaching, and the University community.
Backed by a $6M NIH grant, UVA scientists will lead a national effort using AI to develop new treatments for drug-resistant superbugs. In a time when some federal grants are uncertain, A&S uses College Fund dollars to bridge gaps in research funding.
Philanthropy is a critical component of UVA's budget. College alum Matt S. Erskine now leads the College Foundation of the University of Virginia in its mission to raise donor support for Arts & Sciences.
Anton Korinek, a UVA economist and AI expert, joins TIME’s list of the 100 most influential people in artificial intelligence for his work on AI’s economic impact and global policy leadership. Donor support helps attract top teaching talent to the College.
Student satisfaction jumped from 55% to 84% after UVA Arts & Sciences revamped its advising model with help from the College Fund. Those paired with full-time Advising Fellows reported even higher ratings.