Arts and Humanities Commons^™

Crossing The Digital Divide: Monism, Dualism And The Reason Collective Action Is Critical For Cyber Theory Production, Christopher Whyte

L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs Publications

In studying topics in cyber conflict and cyber-security governance, scholars must ask—arguably more so than has been the case with any other emergent research agenda—where the epistemological and ontological value of different methods lies. This article describes the unique, dual methodological challenges inherent in the multifaceted program on global cyber-security and asks how problematic they are for scholarly efforts to construct knowledge about digital dynamics in world affairs. I argue that any answer to this question will vary depending on how one perceives the social science enterprise. While traditional dualistic perspectives on social science imply unique challenges for researcher, a …

Rampantry: A Model For Sustainability, Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute, Virginia Commonwealth University, Carrie Connolly, Tyruben Ellingson, Nathan Hanger, Quamrun Masuda, Kasey Mattison, Laura Napky, Stephanie Nickerson

L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs Publications

The VCU RamPantry: Sustainability project’s mission is to develop a comprehensive system to foster a sustainable food pantry model which will reduce food insecurity among VCU students. Food insecurity can affect anyone, whether they are an on-campus student who has run out of meal swipes or an off-campus student who is facing a financially challenging time. Food insecurity may cause anxiety, depression, poor judgement, and may lead to larger problems related to physical health due to lack of nutrition. All of these factors can negatively impact student retention. A sustainable food pantry can mitigate these risks by providing basic food …

Valuing Adjuncts As Liaisons For University Excellence (Value) Program, Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute, Virginia Commonwealth University, Erin Brown, Alaina Campbell, Christal Holmes, Deborah Mcguire, Miki Skinner, Paula Spencer

L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs Publications

Adjuncts are increasingly becoming more important in higher education and make up nearly onethird of VCU’s teaching faculty. While VCU has made strides in increasing the number of tenuretrack and term professors, the size and needs of certain departments will always make adjunct instructors necessary. A number of schools on both the Monroe Park and MCV campuses utilize professionals from the Richmond community to enhance experiential learning, thereby making a university investment in adjunct faculty a means by which to elevate VCU’s strategic mission. Adjuncts often provide a community perspective that comes from the professional work they do outside of …

Real Voices, Real Questions, Real Engagement: Vcu Speaker Series, Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute, Virginia Commonwealth University, Nital Appelbaum, Suzanne Fairman, Emily Hurst, Danielle Parker-Mangum, Ravi Perry, Juliana Rasnic, Daniel Woodward

L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs Publications

You come here for something more than schooling. You come here for deep education and deep education is about learning how to die so that you learn how to live because when you examine certain assumptions that you have, certain presuppositions that you’re holding on to, when you let them go, that’s a form of death. And there’s no growth, there’s no development, there’s no maturation without learning how to die and giving up certain dogma, giving up certain doctrine. - Cornel West, Ph.D., VCU Siegel Center, Fall 2015

VCU is a large, public, urban research university situated in …

A Racial Impact Analysis Of Hb 834/Sb 449: The Virginia Growth & Opportunity Act, Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute, Virginia Commonwealth University, Chika Anyadike, Saajida Chohan, Ericka Hairston, Anita Yearwood

L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs Publications

GO Virginia is an economic development initiative that seeks to preempt the harsh effects of federal budget cuts on Virginia’s economy, which is overly dependent on public-sector jobs. It promotes private sector job growth and workforce development through the use of state-based grants to invest in regionally significant capital projects that call for collaboration between localities, businesses, and education. It is important to be intentional in pursuing GO Virginia’s goals, otherwise this legislation may only allocate grants to institutions, organizations, and localities that already have sizeable resources. A critical question rests on how to ensure that low-income and minority communities …

Hb 828: Tanf Eligibility; Drug-Related Felonies, Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute, Virginia Commonwealth University, Greg Hopkins, Carla Jackson, Rana Wilson, Ramunda Young

L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs Publications

House Bill 828 (HB828) was proposed in 2016 to remove the ban on Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) for individuals with felony-related drug convictions who are otherwise eligible to receive benefits. The TANF program is designed to help low income families achieve self-sufficiency. States receive block grants to design and operate programs that accomplish one of the purposes of the TANF program: 1) Provide assistance to needy families so children can be cared for in their own homes; 2) Reduce the dependency of parents by promoting job preparation, work, and marriage; 3) Prevent and reduce the incidence of out-of-wedlock …

Ram$Mart Financial Wellness For Health Profession Students, Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute, Virginia Commonwealth University, Marquita Aguilar, Cheryle Caplinger, Dave Dixon, Micol Hutchison, Jenifer Murphy, Ashlie Tseng, Christiana Lafazani

L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs Publications

College students today are graduating with more debt than ever before. As such, it is critical that our graduates are equipped with the right skills and frame of mind to manage their finances. This includes understanding their income, taxes, and expenses; managing debt; budgeting; saving; and retirement planning. Money management can be intimidating for anyone, regardless of background or education. While online resources are made available to our students, these resources are often overlooked, and do not necessarily set out to engage students or address the issues they may face in a convincing or compelling way. Most of the financial …

Ramstrong: An Employee Wellness Initiative, Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute, Virginia Commonwealth University, Teraya Donaldson, Tina Hamlet, Lucy Hudson, Will Martin, Anjum Shah, Mark Wood, Lynanne Yndestad

L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs Publications

The RAMSTRONG project’s mission is to create a mobile website accessible online and through the VCU Mobile app that provides VCU employees with user-friendly, accessible resources to support their holistic well-being. The RAMSTRONG project seeks to meet three basic needs. First, while VCU and the Greater Richmond area offer a plethora of resources to promote health, information about these resources is not readily accessible, and especially not accessible from one website or mobile app. RAMSTRONG aims to provide an accessible means for employees to learn about and take advantage of these resources. Second, while a growing body of scientific literature …

Establishment Of Charter Schools In The Commonwealth Of Virginia, Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute, Virginia Commonwealth University, Shermese Epps, Germika Pegram, Edward Reed, Brenda Sampe, Courtney Warren

L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs Publications

Virginia is facing significant challenges related to public education such as decreased funding for public education, decreased teacher salaries, and overcrowded classrooms. Senate Joint Resolution 6 was a bill proposed in 2016 that sought to grant the Board of Education authority, subject to criteria and conditions prescribed by the General Assembly, to establish charter schools within the school divisions of the Commonwealth. There are racial implications related to the creation and authorization of charter schools and this report details those impacts and creates a set of recommendations to eliminate racial implementations when determining who authorizes charter schools in the Commonwealth …

Ramsway Safe Path, Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute, Virginia Commonwealth University, Stephen Barkley, Mary Beth Heller, Elizabeth Mcdaniel, Kelechi Ogbonna, Kendall Plageman, Angie Wetzel

L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs Publications

RAMSWay promotes safety for students, faculty, staff, and visitors with a series of safe walkways connecting key locations, such as classroom buildings, gyms, libraries, residence halls, and parking decks, on Virginia Commonwealth University’s sprawling urban campus. RAMSWay paths are designed to be consistent with the theoretical framework referred to as CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design). CPTED suggests that altering the physical design of communities or areas in which people congregate can deter criminal activity. CPTED-compliant landscaping and lighting, security features (e.g., cameras, ERTs phones), and increased police presence on the paths promote the sense of safety. Further, increased foot …

A Website To Help The International Students Experience (Wise), Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute, Virginia Commonwealth University, David Allen, Agnes Chojecka, Tori Keel, Norma Ortiz-Robinson, Susan O'Shea

L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs Publications

Our VCU campus has been steadily expanding its international student population and has become an increasingly global university community. We have identified together with GEO, the need to build tangible resources that can support faculty and staff to more effectively educate our international student population. The creation of online content to be added to GEO’s current webpage seems to best fit the existing need. Our project outlines a blueprint for this online content by means of identifying data and resources that should be included as well as determining cost, sustainability and feasibility plans. Ultimately, the goal is to pave the …

Promotion, Education, And Marketing Of An Expanded Vcu Bike Share Program, Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute, Virginia Commonwealth University, Kellie Archer, Tom Arodz, Alison Breland, Dawn Crichlow, Tom Klug

L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs Publications

We propose to help promote, market, and provide education about an expanded bike share program at VCU. The goal of the bike share program is three-fold: 1) improve travel between campuses, 2) encourage alternate transportation to reduce traffic and parking difficulties and 3) be a "green" initiative on the VCU campus. The expanded bike share program will include additional bikes and bike stations, managed by an outside company. Recently, VCU’s Office of Parking and Transportation has learned that they will be receiving funds for the program, and they are looking for assistance to promote, market, and provide education about the …

Retention And Mentoring (Ram) Initiative, Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute, Virginia Commonwealth University, Susan Digiovanni, Donna Gibson, Anne Hofler, Florence Johnson, Michael Southam-Gerow, Jenilee Stanley-Shanks

L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs Publications

National and local surveys (e.g., COACHE, 2010; VCU Great Place Initiative, 2013) suggest that a primary reason for workplace dissatisfaction among faculty and staff is lack of adequate mentorship. Evidence also suggests that mentoring programs improve recruitment and retention of underrepresented faculty and staff (e.g., Daley, Wingard, & Reznik, 2006). VCU and VCU Health currently have decentralized and isolated mentoring programs across campuses: a centralized mentoring program accessible to all employees does not exist to address faculty and staff professional development and networking needs. Our project sought to fill this gap. Specifically, we proposed to develop an online database designed …

The Artfulness Initiative: Art As A Tool For Mindfulness, Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute, Virginia Commonwealth University, Dvora Courtland, George Deeb, Sarah Golding, Arnold Kemp, Whitney Lovelady, Tito Luna, Molly Ransone, Mary Shelden

L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs Publications

The purpose of the Artfulness Initiative is to help its users bring their minds back into the present through the use of arts-based practices as a way to reduce stress and burnout. In a nutshell, the Artfulness Initiative is website that houses a series of process-oriented art practices meant to help adults focus less on the stress of yesterday and tomorrow and focus more on being in the now. It’s important to note that the art process is more important than the product, and that no artistic aptitude or experience is required. The Artfulness website, which was built by ALTLab …

A Racial Impact Analysis Of Sb 30: Medicaid Expansion, Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute, Virginia Commonwealth University, Cindy Davis, Robert Irving, Kimberly Pope, Monica Reid

L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs Publications

Virginia is the second worst state in providing Medicaid to its citizens. The focus of this report is to provide a racial equity impact analysis of Senate Bill (SB) 30, the Senate legislative vehicle for the appropriations of the budget submitted by the Governor of Virginia for fiscal years 2015 and 2016. SB 30 included a provision called “Marketplace Virginia” as an alternative to traditional Medicaid expansion in Virginia. This compromise bill would have covered an estimated 430,000 Virginians who fall in the Medicaid coverage gap by assisting them in purchasing private insurance. This report provides a racial equity impact …

A Racial Impact Analysis Of Hb 994: Human Trafficking, Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute, Virginia Commonwealth University, Staci Boone, Traci Deshazor, Selonia Miles, Katina Williams

L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs Publications

Human Trafficking has become an international crisis that has caused a devastating impact on the Commonwealth of Virginia. The purpose of this report is to examine the racial equity impact of Virginia House Bill 944. HB 994 was introduced to the House by Delegate Barbara Comstock, along with 13 other members of the House and was passed by the House of Delegates and was Passed Indefinitely in Courts of Justice with letter in 2014. This Bill, as initially introduced, would have made it a felony to participate in Human Trafficking by expanding the definition of abduction/kidnapping. It also would have …

Bridging Opportunities In Human Health Services, Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute, Virginia Commonwealth University, Tim Gibbs, Jessica S. Hill, David Holland, Valerie Holton, Antoinette Light, Stephanie Tignor

L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs Publications

The Campus to Community project aims to develop facilitated, in-depth site visits for VCU faculty and staff interested in exploring human health services opportunities in the Richmond community. The site visit experience will provide exposure to various community organizations specializing in human health, essentially creating a “bridge” between VCU’s campus and these facilities. This initiative is intended to motivate employees to action within the Richmond community by enabling them to observe first-hand the services that these organizations provide, learn more about the organizations’ missions, and engage in meaningful interactions with representatives on site. Likewise, it will allow Richmond community organizations …

Make Art Real, Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute, Virginia Commonwealth University, Dolores Carrington-Hill, M. Teresa Doherty, Alison Jones, Michelle Mcgregor, Mike Porter, W. Scott Street, Patricia White

L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs Publications

The Make Art Real project aims to introduce new audiences to the arts. It supports Theme II of VCU’s Quest for Distinction by promoting and fostering creative expression through innovative collaborations. The project involves displaying existing connections between art and non-art disciplines, as well as making new connections. These unusual pairings are then placed on exhibition through a lunch-time lecture series named “Unexpected_Connections,” which allow faculty, staff, and students to lead and participate in discussions about the reality of art. The lecture series is the first sustainable and reoccurring program to be held in the Depot building, a multidisciplinary facility …

If You Can, You Can, Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute, Virginia Commonwealth University, Amy Chesky, Rima Franklin, Sandra Fritton, Alena Hampton, Demetrius Shambley, Gokhan Yucel

L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs Publications

VCU distinguishes itself as being one of Virginia’s most diverse institutions of higher education. This project seeks to support and extend this wonderful attribute by encouraging a climate of equity and inclusiveness. If You Can, You Can creates a common platform and language in support of the university’s mission to address disparities concerning equality and inclusiveness, and provides a model that is useful in promoting all dimensions of diversity. In addition to developing this overarching model, Team Real Connections worked with the VCU Athletics department to implement a prototype program called “If you can play, you can play,” which promotes …

Math In Motion, Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute, Virginia Commonwealth University, Jose Alcaine, Diana Barden, Lori Floyd-Miller, Blake Maciver, Lea Marshall, Angela Nelson, Thomas Vahdani, Tarynn Witten

L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs Publications

Everything we know about the universe rests on the foundation of mathematics. Somehow, though, the magic of mathematics – the true power of numbers and their beautiful wildness – gets lost in math class. Children, our most magical thinkers, get turned off math in grade school and miss out on a language through which they could learn to read and change the world. VCU Math In Motion will generate a creative, dynamic STEM education initiative within the Richmond community using an innovative curriculum and a customized mobile unit to bring the beauty of math to Richmond region school children in …

A Racial Impact Analysis Of Hb 936: Accessibility Of Electronic Textbooks, Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute, Virginia Commonwealth University, Melanie Avery, Theresa Cry, Linda Haskins, Branden Riley

L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs Publications

The economic and social consequences of the lack of access to technology for students in the Commonwealth of Virginia are real and significant. This report provides a legislative racial impact analysis of House Bill (HB) 936, a proposed bill in the Virginia General Assembly, prohibiting school boards from making electronic textbooks available for students, unless the school board adopts a plan to ensure that e-textbooks are available on or before July 1, 2017. The bill focuses solely on developing a plan for installing prior to implementing electronic textbooks in K-12 classrooms. Electronic textbooks are important as they offer updated content, …

A Racial Impact Analysis Of Hb 32: Minimum Wage Increase, Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute, Virginia Commonwealth University, Gena Burr, Danise Harmon, Uzziah Harris, Tammy Martin

L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs Publications

The racial equity impact of HB 32 is important because minorities in Virginia disproportionately work in minimum wage positions. The purpose of this report is to provide a racial impact analysis of House Bill (HB) 32, legislation proposed in the 2014 Virginia General Assembly to increase the minimum wage from $7.25 to $8.50 an hour. According to 2013 data, 1.8 million workers in Virginia are paid hourly rates and 6.8 percent of these workers earn the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. Examining fiscal years 2015 to 2020 for the Commonwealth, such an increase would cost $2,712,696. This impact …

Must Do @ Vcu, Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute, Virginia Commonwealth University, Katherine Beck, Philip Branch, Tom Diehl, Joyce Lloyd, Claudia Mangum, Yaoying Xu

L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs Publications

Must Do @ VCU is a set of annual collegial activities that can be performed throughout the year, by faculty, staff and students. These VCU-centered activities are considered to be the things that give VCU its identity. The goal of Must Do @ VCU is to generate a sense of community and of belonging to the University. VCU is a relatively new University and its traditions are therefore not well-established. Must Do @ VCU aims to build on shared experiences as a method to establish VCU culture.

Do 2 With Vcu: A Community Engagement Initiative, Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute, Virginia Commonwealth University, Ashlyn Anderson, Kimberly Brown, Harinder Dhindsa, Ronnie Evans, Mary Slade

L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs Publications

Do 2 with VCU will be a day-long Expo highlighting volunteer activities and opportunities with up to 100 community partners. VCU faculty and staff will be encouraged to collaborate with these community partners by using their 16 hours of community service leave provided by VCU. The Expo will culminate with a Keynote Speaker for this inaugural event. This year we have selected author and activist, Elaine Brown; she will deliver an address on the importance of community activism and service which will be marketed to the greater Richmond area. This project was designed around Theme IV of the VCU Quest …

Making Disability A Part Of Diversity, Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute, Virginia Commonwealth University, Arianne Dowdell, Stefanie King, Scott Sherman, Lauren Shiver, Bhavna Shroff

L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs Publications

As part of Theme I of VCU’s Quest for Distinction, our project will help improve access to the services provided by Disability Student Services (DSS) office to students with disability. Recruitment and retention of qualified disabled students will increase. These students will achieve with higher graduation rates and contribute to a productive and skilled workforce. Improving the services provided to disabled students and better retention of these students at VCU will attract faculty members with expertise or a special interest in serving the disabled. Our project will also serve Theme I of Quest by continuing to make VCU a leader …

Make It Real - Undergraduate Research Opportunities, Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute, Virginia Commonwealth University, Lisa Abrams, Maria Carlton, Preetam Ghosh, Joseph Kuttenkuler, Juanita Sharpe

L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs Publications

Theme one in the Quest for Distinction is for VCU to become a leader among national research universities in providing all students with high quality learning/living experiences focused on inquiry, discovery, and innovation in a global environment. Quest is grounded in a commitment to providing students with a diversity of experiences which are available at a premiere public research university. The goal of this project is to take advantage of the wealth of research resources at the Medical College of Virginia Campus, coordinate cross campus efforts to facilitate the use of these resources and increase faculty participation in mentoring undergraduate …

Transfer Student Peer Mentorship Initiative, Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute, Virginia Commonwealth University, Melinda Debrew, Artis Gordon, Rebecca Jones, Teri Kuttenkuler, Irene Lubker, Dewey Taylor

L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs Publications

Transfer students have unique needs that differ from those of incoming freshmen. The TRAM Transfer Student Mentorship Program connects incoming transfer students with students who also began their VCU journey as transfer students. Through a one-on-one relationship with a trained mentor, transfer students who participate in this program will access guidance and information to help them navigate the university and its resources, programs, and culture.

Commit And Connect: Vcu Goes Green, Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute, Virginia Commonwealth University, Holly Alford, Melanie Goodman, Shelley Jordan, Margaret Kelland, Rachel Riley, John Skaritza

L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs Publications

In alignment with Theme IV of VCU’s Quest for Distinction, this university volunteer project will help to commit and connect faculty, staff, students, and alumni with a community education partner to help launch a green or sustainable project while promoting, teaching and educating participants on the value of sustainable living.

A Racial Impact Analysis Of Hb 869/Sb 274, Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute, Virginia Commonwealth University, Ashley Chapman, Ida Jones, Donald Knight, Susan Laywer Mills

L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs Publications

Virginia is growing. Between 1990 and 2000, Virginia’s population rose by over 14% - the largest population growth experienced by the state in a single decade (Pollard, 2007). And the state continues to grow. It has been estimated that by 2030, Virginia’s total population may exceed 9.8 million people (Pollard, 2007). Along with population growth, land development has increased which in turn affects transportation, housing and job placement across the Commonwealth. In fact, in many parts of the state, development has outpaced population growth. According to Pollard, “If current patterns continue, Virginia will develop more land in the next 40 …

A Racial Impact Analysis Of Hb 9, Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute, Virginia Commonwealth University, Olutosin Burrell, Dawn Lawson, Robert Mayfield, Ladonna Sanders

L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs Publications

House Bill 9 was introduced by Delegate Mark L. Cole (R – House District 88 – Fredericksburg) as chief patron with support from co-patron Delegate Charles D. Poindexter (R – House District 9 – Glade Hill). The bill states that a voter who is unable to present one of the forms of ID may sign a sworn statement that he/she is the named registered voter he/she claims to be and then be allowed to vote a provisional ballot. The current law allows such a voter to cast an official ballot rather than a provisional one after signing such statement. We …