Equity, Inclusion and Diversity

The Department of Chemistry strives to be strategic in our understanding of ways to bridge the gaps caused by isolation, stigmatization and ignorance while seeking new ways to welcome, unite, support, understand and respect all students, staff and faculty within the majority collective. We invite your individual voices, ideas and participation to re-evaluate our policies and practices to actively remove systemic barriers to participation by all members of our community. Therefore, as a department, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse environment for all regardless of our differences.

As a department within a research intensive university, we are uniquely diverse among chemistry programs with 34% female and 9% underrepresented minority faculty ranked among the top 50 institutions nationally for the number of bachelor’s degrees in physical sciences (no. 13), mainly reflected by degrees in chemistry. According to a 2021 Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System report, VCU’s Department of Chemistry was ranked 16th out of 1137 colleges and universities in the country for granting B.S. chemistry degrees to African Americans, 6th for women, and 8th for the total number of B.S. chemistry degrees. 

We recognize that social and cultural differences, economic disparities, gender, gender-identity and other forms of bias present barriers in the successful progression within STEM fields by underrepresented minorities, international and disabled students. VCU's Department of Chemistry strives to support all students on their academic journeys while holding space for their unique experiences.

VCU receives $1 million grant to increase minority Ph.D. STEM students