Transform Curiosity Into Action
Transformative Learning is at the heart of VCU’s innovative approach to education, emphasizing reflection, personal growth, and real-world application. Through experiential opportunities like internships, clinical placements, community engagement, global learning, and undergraduate research, students connect classroom knowledge with lived experience, building critical thinking skills and becoming active, self-directed learners.
Through initiatives like REAL (Relevant Experiential and Applied Learning) and Service Learning students engage in hands-on learning that emphasizes the 3Cs: Connect, Create, and Contribute. These programs offer opportunities such as internships, community engagement, global learning, and undergraduate research, ensuring that every student participates in meaningful experiential education. By integrating academic and co-curricular experiences, Transformative Learning cultivates reflective, socially responsible, and career-ready graduates equipped to address complex challenges in a global society.
Explore Transformative Learning Opportunities
Relevant, Experiential and Applied Learning (REAL)
VCU’s REAL initiative is the hub for hands-on learning—connecting classroom knowledge with real-world experience through internships, research, and community engagement.
VCU Undergraduate Research and Creative Inquiry
Through the REAL initiative, undergraduates dive into hands-on research and creative inquiry with faculty working on everything from cancer detection to climate systems.
Every Ram's a Researcher
Designed to deepen critical thinking and real-world problem-solving, VCU’s Quality Enhancement Plan gives students the opportunity to engage in meaningful research across disciplines as part of their general education.
Service Learning at VCU
Through structured reflection and collaboration with community partners, students deepen their understanding, build civic responsibility, and contribute to thriving communities.
Vertically Integrated Projects (VIP)
The Vertically Integrated Projects (VIP) program offers students a unique opportunity to engage in long-term, multidisciplinary research and design projects under the guidance of faculty and graduate mentors.
VCU Research Weeks
VCU Research Weeks celebrates the university's research and creative endeavors, highlighting its impact on society's challenges.
REAL Stories. REAL Impact.
This learning opportunity has been crucial to building my experience in movement therapy and helping me explore my creative side in the real world. It inspired me to combine my passions in instruction, speech and movement sciences.
-Joanna Rivera
Health, Physical Education and Exercise Science Major
Service-Learning Experience
After succeeding in the Fed Challenge, I felt much more qualified to pursue a career in economics. Now, I’m planning to attend grad school and am currently pursuing a career as a U.S. diplomat specializing in economics and business.
-Michael Portillo
Economics Major
College Fed Challenge
News & Events
Students Talk Research
Three pairs of VCU undergraduates chat about their research projects, which cover a range of topics from oral hygiene education to a disappearing Chinese embroidery technique. Despite their differing interests, one thing ties them all together: for these students, research is about more than cracking a book or turning in a final paper – it’s about making a difference and connecting with people.
Celebrating Our Undergraduate Research Fellows
This year, VCU undergraduates and their faculty mentors were awarded funding from the Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Inquiry to collaborate on research and creative projects throughout the summer and academic year.
Thank you to our campus partners for supporting student discovery—and congratulations to our Fellows and their dedicated mentors!
Annual Research Symposiums
Each year, students are in the spotlight as they present their research at the annual Graduate Student Research Symposium Poster Symposium for Undergraduate Research.
Let’s Talk Service Learning
Are you a faculty or staff member teaching (or interested in teaching) a service-learning course? A student curious about becoming a teaching assistant? These info sessions are for you. Come explore what’s new and how to get involved.
Meet the Leadership Team!
Herb Hill, Ed.D.
Assistant Vice Provost for Undergraduate Research and Creative Inquiry
Co-Director, Transformative Learning
University College
Shanza A. Isom
Director of Engaged Transformative Learning
Co-Director, Transformative Learning
University College
