Our Faculty & Staff

Our team is deeply passionate about reimagining the future of higher education. Like our students, we work collaboratively and across disciplines to create meaningful, real-world learning experiences. We’re dedicated to preparing students to thrive in a complex, global world—equipping them with the skills to navigate difficult conversations, embrace failure as a learning opportunity, and drive meaningful change.

Leadership

Andrew T. Arroyo, Ed.D.
Senior Vice Provost for Academic Affairs
Interim Dean of the Academy for Interdisciplinary Innovation at University College

atarroyo@vcu.edu

Dr. Arroyo leverages the scope of academic affairs and collaborates with academic deans from all VCU schools/colleges and other VCU academic leaders to ensure that the Academy at University College serves all VCU students, regardless of major. Learn more from the 2025-2028 VCU Academic Affairs and University College Joint Strategic Plan.

Dr. Arroyo is accepting students now for his VIP, "AI and Swift Futuring." Please contact him directly for more information. Open to all undergraduate and graduate students.

Mariah Crilley, Ph.D.
Director of Interdisciplinary Studies
Associate Professor of Interdisciplinary Studies and University Curriculum Innovation
The Academy for Interdisciplinary Innovation at University College

mtcrilley@vcu.edu

Mary-Chris Escobar
Director of Student Success & Life Design
The Academy for Interdisciplinary Innovation at University College

escobarmc@vcu.edu

Stephanie L. Hart, Ed.D.
Interim Director of Finance, Shared Services
Office of the Provost

slhart@vcu.edu

Herb Hill, Ed.D.
Director of Undergraduate Research and Creative Inquiry
Co-Director of the Institute for Transformative Learning
The Academy for Interdisciplinary Innovation at University College

hhill@vcu.edu

Shanza A. Isom
Director of Engaged Transformative Learning
Co-Director of the Institute for Transformative Learning
The Academy for Interdisciplinary Innovation at University College

isomsa@vcu.edu

Lloyd Young
Deputy Director
VCU da Vinci Center for Innovation
The Academy for Interdisciplinary Innovation at University College

youngel3@vcu.edu

Advising

Christina Davis
Academic Advisor
Interdisciplinary Studies
The Academy for Interdisciplinary Innovation at University College

daviscl7@vcu.edu

A woman wearing a black blazer with a white graphic T-Shirt that reads: Strong, Resilent, Indigenous

Audrina Farrar
Academic Advisor
Interdisciplinary Studies
The Academy for Interdisciplinary Innovation at University College

farraral@vcu.edu

A woman wearing a fark-blue denim jacket with a brown shirt and gold earrings.

Richard Quarshie
Senior Advisor
Interdisciplinary Studies
The Academy for Interdisciplinary Innovation at University College

quarshier2@vcu.edu

Faculty

William Benton, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Master of Product Innovation
The Academy for Interdisciplinary Innovation at University College

wbenton@vcu.edu

Zach Hilpert, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Interdisciplinary Studies
The Academy for Interdisciplinary Innovation at University College

zhilpert@vcu.edu

Kimberly Matthews, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Interdisciplinary Studies
VCU Transform Faculty
The Academy for Interdisciplinary Innovation at University College

matthewska@vcu.edu

A woman smiling wearing a black blazer and glasses

Michael Rackett, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Interdisciplinary Studies
VCU Transform Faculty
The Academy for Interdisciplinary Innovation at University College

rackettmr@vcu.edu

Vineeta Singh, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Associate Director
Interdisciplinary Studies
The Academy for Interdisciplinary Innovation at University College

singhv8@vcu.edu

Jason Vest
Instructor Faculty
Podium Education
The Academy for Interdisciplinary Innovation at University College

vestjr@vcu.edu

Staff

Caslin Applewhite
Communications Coordinator
VCU da Vinci Center for Innovation
The Academy for Interdisciplinary Innovation at University College

applewhiteec@vcu.edu

Brandin Conrath
Postdoctoral Fellow
Shift Labs
The Academy for Interdisciplinary Innovation at University College

conrathb@vcu.edu

AJ Dunn
Business Manager Liaison
Office of the Provost

ajdunn@vcu.edu

Alicia Edgerton
Administrative Coordinator
VCU da Vinci Center for Innovation & Shift Retail Lab
The Academy for Interdisciplinary Innovation at University College

pennixar@vcu.edu

Manjari Kumarappan
Assistant Director
VCU da Vinci Center for Innovation
The Academy for Interdisciplinary Innovation at University College

kumarappanma@vcu.edu

Cael Parker
Program Manager
VCU da Vinci Center for Innovation & Shift Retail Lab
The Academy for Interdisciplinary Innovation at University College

parkerc10@vcu.edu

Kyle Pineault
Communications Specialist
VCU da Vinci Center for Innovation
The Academy for Interdisciplinary Innovation at University College

pineaultkc@vcu.edu

Allison Schumacher
Director of Academic Alchemy
Master of Product Innovation
The Academy for Interdisciplinary Innovation at University College

schumacheran@vcu.edu