About the VCU School of Business
A close-knit community within a leading urban, public university, the VCU School of Business enrolls nearly 4,000 students in a wide range of bachelor’s, master’s, certificate and doctoral programs. The school ranks in the top five percent of business schools worldwide due to its AACSB International accreditation. From its founding in 1937, the school has developed strong connections within the Richmond business community and beyond, with students actively engaged in internships, corporate projects and learning from executives.
The School of Business, its programs and faculty have received national recognition from top publications such as U.S. News & World Report, the Princeton Review, Bloomberg Businessweek, CEO Magazine and Advertising Age. Graduates from all programs are welcomed into the VCU Business Alumni Society.
Strategic plan
Recently, the VCU School of Business launched a bold new strategic plan, BRIDGE 2028 – Embracing Disruption, which redefines disruption as an invaluable asset when approached strategically. The School of Business recognizes the accelerating pace of change in a rapidly evolving world, and we have embraced disruption as a positive catalyst for innovation.
The goal is to propel the School of Business community and establish an environment where we can not only adapt, but thrive and grow. This is our time to experiment and innovate, to feel empowered, break norms and create opportunities.
Our strategy for the School of Business is built on five foundational pillars:
Transformative Student Experiences: Every graduating student’s portfolio will include a design thinking course, a work-based learning experience, an international experience and access to an academic success center.
Impactful Research: We will provide opportunities to involve and engage students in research, deliver meaningful impact for industry and elevate the school’s profile.
Emerging Technologies: We harness new technologies and applications by imbedding them into our programs, research, and outreach in intentional ways.
Entrepreneurial Innovation: We will provide a hub for entrepreneurship and innovation and a pathway into a comprehensive ecosystem to incubate, develop, and commercialize creative ideas and new technologies.
Sustainability: We drive innovation and profitable sustainable solutions through education, research, industry partnerships and career support so students can make sustainable impact happen.
These pillars are fortified by the support of three essential guiding principles:
People Centered Leadership: We train tomorrow’s leaders at all levels with the
courage and skills to care for the organizations and individuals they lead.
Disruption: By embracing change, our community can successfully influence
the future direction of business.
Societal Impact: Beyond our diverse ecosystem, we drive societal change through a focus on People, Planet, Profit and Purpose.
The School of Business is centered by the following mission, vision and values:
Mission: We provide students, faculty and staff with experiences that transform their lives using education as a bridge to their future success.
Vision: We seek to create true impact on our world by solving business challenges driven by an ever-changing, technology driven, global ecosystem.
Culture & Values: Our values and culture drive who we are and who we aspire to become. We seek to infuse the VCU culture of CARE through Community, Appreciation, Respect and Empathy into everything we do.
Thank you and congratulations
To our graduates, we are very proud of all you have accomplished, and thankful for the unique contributions that each of you has brought to our classrooms and community. As our strategic plan continues to develop, we will be building on the legacy that you helped create to ensure that a VCU School of Business education continues to be relevant and our graduates’ degrees continue to be held in high esteem. Best wishes, and please keep in touch.