Meaningful Education and Training

Graduate programs need to evolve to match how students learn and work today, with more flexibility, different types of training and better connections to various career opportunities.

GE Outcome 1.1: Submission of at least two proposals for new graduate programs in 2026 that will lead to a broadened portfolio of graduate training opportunities in the biomedical sciences

GE Outcome 1.2: Increase by two-fold professional development opportunities for graduate students by 2028

GE Outcome 1.3: Increase by two-fold training grant and fellowship applications supporting doctoral students by 2028

GE Outcome 1.4: Increase by 10 - 15% total graduate student enrollment by 2028

GE Tactics 1.1: Modify graduate programs to unify biomedical sciences MS and PHD curricula

GE Tactics 1.2: Develop non-thesis options for biomedical sciences MS programs

GE Tactics 1.3: Facilitate or lead the development of new MS and certificate programs in partnership with clinical departments within and outside of the School of Medicine

GE Tactics 1.4: Explore accelerated MS programs through partnerships with VCU and potentially other institutions

GE Tactics 1.5: Explore development of a Mentoring Academy for faculty in collaboration with SOM Faculty Affairs

GE Tactics 1.6: Identify opportunities for training in new technologies such as artificial intelligence into MS and PHD program curricula

GE Tactics 1.7: Explore new PHD, MS and certificate programs that align with research themes in the School of Medicine

GE Tactics 1.8: Facilitate the awarding of additional training grants and individual fellowships for doctoral students through partnerships with SOM graduate programs, SOM Office of Research and SOM Research Administration

GE Tactics 1.9: Incorporate the Mentoring Academy for faculty in collaboration with SOM Faculty Affairs to be launched in 2027

GE Tactics 1.10: Incorporate training in new technologies such as artificial intelligence into MS and PHD program curricula

A strategic communication plan with emphasis on brand recognition, training opportunities and career paths will raise awareness with key stakeholders and thereby increase applications to and enrollment in our programs.

GE Outcome 2.1: Development and implementation of a more robust communication plan that includes digital and other forms of marketing by early 2026

GE Outcome 2.2: Increase by 20% total applications to graduate programs by 2028

GE Outcome 2.3: Increase by 15% total enrollment in graduate programs by 2028

GE Tactics 2.1: Triple our efforts in digital marketing, social media and in-person events to better promote our premedical certificate and biomedical sciences MS programs:

• Highlight the VCU School of Medicine as “the destination” for training in the biomedical sciences and targeted clinical areas
• Articulate the value proposition of earning a graduate degree from the VCU School of Medicine
• Answer the question of “Why choose the VCU School of Medicine for graduate training?”

GE Tactics 2.2: Identify and understand key audiences for communication plan

GE Tactics 2.3: Celebrate the successes of our graduate students by telling their stories both within and outside of the School of Medicine

GE Tactics 2.4: Expand marketing to include additional PHD, MS and certificate programs

GE Tactics 2.5: Evaluate effectiveness of communication plan and refine accordingly

GE Tactics 2.6: Develop partnerships with alumni as well as local and regional communities to help support graduate students and increase enrollment in our graduate programs

VCU School of Medicine has a strategic opportunity to expand graduate enrollment and strengthen its regional impact by positioning itself as a key workforce solution for the emerging pharmaceutical/biotech industry in Virginia.

GE Outcome 3.1: Development of a comprehensive plan (that includes training programs, personnel, space, financial resources and any other key considerations) for pursuing this goal during 2026

GE Outcome 3.2: Relationships with at least two local and/or regional partners to explore development of graduate training programs whose alumni will be well suited for employment opportunities in those industries by 2027

GE Outcome 3.3: Design and submit proposals for at least two targeted graduate programs to serve the needs of current employees of partner industries by 2027

GE Outcome 3.4: Expand partnerships with at least 10 alumni working in the pharmaceutical or biotech industries to provide networking opportunities for our graduate students and to provide recruitment opportunities for industry partners by 2028

GE Tactics 3.1: Develop a comprehensive plan for training programs, personnel, space, financial and other resources needed to pursue this goal

GE Tactics 3.2: Partner with School of Medicine leadership to organize a team of School of Medicine expertise to engage in this opportunity

GE Tactics 3.3: Identify and fill new positions for VCU School of Medicine faculty and staff to serve as liaisons for industry partners

GE Tactics 3.4: Leverage our location within an emerging biotech hub to develop industry partnerships in RVA and VA

GE Tactics 3.5: Partner with local pharmaceutical and biotech companies to design and submit for approval graduate programs that address their workforce needs and provide career ladders for their employees

GE Tactics 3.6: Build a strong alumni network, especially as it relates to local and regional companies’ work in pharmaceutics, biotech and life sciences