Department of History

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Sam Ulmschneider, a VCU history alum, has coached three Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School teams to national titles in the annual We the People competition. (Kevin Morley, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

Meet-a-Ram: History Department alumni honoree was a close call – geographically

April 2, 2025

At the Maggie Walker School near VCU, teacher Sam Ulmschneider is instilling wisdom and winning titles in a national civics program.

Justin Wright

Constant Pursuit of Excellence: History to HR

April 1, 2025

History alum Justin Wright shares his experience of obtaining a history degree from VCU and using it to explore athletics, student success and human resources.

clark kelley sitting on stairs outside of the history building

Walking Through History: Preserving and Reviving Richmond’s African-American Cemeteries

March 21, 2025

Through walking tours, and academic and community collaboration, VCU history major and UROP student Clark Kelley has worked with Ryan Smith, Ph.D. and Friends of East End to highlight the historical and cultural significance of Richmond’s African-American cemeteries in hopes of revitalizing a space for learning and reflection.

The Academy Awards will be held on March 2. (Getty Images)

At the movies: Professors review Oscar-nominated films through the lens of their expertise

Feb. 27, 2025

Ahead of the Academy Awards, professors discuss what worked – or didn’t – in five of the 2025 nominees.

Jatia Wrighten, Ph.D. and Alexandra Reckendorf, Ph.D., talked to students about political and social movements during their session in the U.S. Democracy United/Divided course. (Kevin Morley, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

For the many layers of American democracy, new course taps into the many layers of VCU faculty expertise

Feb. 13, 2025

Nearly three dozen specialists in the College of Humanities and Sciences are collectively teaching U.S Democracy United/Divided this semester – and organizers think the concept will evolve.

Daniel Morales, an assistant professor of history, examines the creation of transnational migratory networks across Mexico and the United States in the 20th century in his new book. (Photos contributed by Daniel Morales)

VCU author investigates U.S.-Mexico migration in the early 20th century – and its enduring legacy

Jan. 23, 2025

In his new book, history professor Daniel Morales examines how large-scale movement became rooted in both countries’ socioeconomic fabric.

mike amezcue

Making Mexican Chicago: Displacement, Gentrification and Resilience of Latinx

Dec. 3, 2024

Mike Amezcua, Ph.D., shared a powerful narrative of resilience and adaptation among Mexicano communities in Chicago. Amezcua traced their journey from exploited labor and housing discrimination, including the impact of gentrification, ending in the cultural and social contributions made by the communities.

Installation view of “Virginia & the Vietnam War” exhibit guest-curated by VCU history professor Emilie Raymond. (Photo provided by the Virginia Museum of History & Culture)

Museum exhibition curated by VCU’s Emilie Raymond presents multifaceted picture of Virginia and the Vietnam War era

Nov. 26, 2024

At the Virginia Museum of History & Culture, the history professor brings together narratives and objects that tell a wide-ranging story of veterans, families, refugees, activists and others.

jodi magness

Uncovering Herodian Archaeology: The Temple Mount and the Holy City

Nov. 20, 2024

From the expansion of King Herod’s Temple Mount to the remnants of the palace and fortifications, Jodi Magness, Ph.D., shared Herod’s architectural feats in the Holy City and how it shaped hundreds of years of archaeological history.

Gabriela León-Pérez poses with her Latino Virginia students and undergraduate research assistants. (Photo contributed by Gabriela León-Pérez)

Latino Virginia oral history project gives voice to stories that supplant stereotypes

Nov. 12, 2024

The collaboration from VCU professors Gabriela León-Pérez and Daniel Morales will form a public database documenting the state’s fastest-growing minority population.