Virginia State University was named a Fulbright HBCU 
Institutional Leader for the fourth consecutive year. This 
esteemed honor recognized VSU's unwavering support for 
global education and diversity during the 2024-25 
academic year. Fulbright HBCU Institutional Leaders 
consistently demonstrate outstanding support for Fulbright 
exchange participants and effectively promote Fulbright 
program opportunities on campus.
The Virginia State University Department of Music 
received a full accreditation reaffirmation from the National 
Association of Schools of Music (NASM) through the 
2033–34 academic year. This prestigious reaffirmation is a 
significant milestone that underscores the department's 
commitment to academic excellence, artistic integrity, and 
student success. NASM is considered the premier 
accrediting body for music programs across the nation.
Virginia State University became the first Virginia HBCU to 
be recognized by the Virginia Higher Education Substance 
Use Advisory Committee (VHESUAC). This prestigious 
recognition underscored its commitment to furthering 
student substance use education, prevention, recovery, and 
intervention efforts.
Virginia State University was awarded a $2 million grant 
from the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) to launch 
its AI-Enabled Digital Transformation Initiative. VSU was one 
of eight historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) 
selected for Project HBCU Capacity Building, a multi-year 
initiative empowering institutions to improve enrollment, 
retention, and graduation rates, strengthen research 
capacity, modernize operations, and foster collaboration 
across campuses.
Virginia State University was awarded a competitive 
grant of more than $1 million from the National Science 
Foundation (NSF). The grant was presented to Associate 
Professor in the Department of Biology and the Director of 
the VSU Center for Biotechnology, Genomics, and 
Bioinformatics (CBGB), Dr. Xianfa Xie, to fund his research 
project examining the unique biological phenomenon of 
bioluminescent fungi (glowing mushrooms).
The Virginia State University Public Health Institute 
received a grant of $500,575 from the Opioid Abatement 
Authority (OAA) to reduce overdoses through interven-
tions, health education, training, outreach, and resource 
connectivity.
The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia 
(SCHEV) awarded Virginia State University $250,000 to 
enhance its Artificial Intelligence (AI) instruction by 
developing AI-focused open educational resources for 
students and educators.
Virginia State University Athletics celebrated multiple championships this year. The men’s basketball team won the          
CIAA Tournament for the first time since 2019, while both the men’s and women’s soccer teams captured the inaugural          
CIAA Soccer Cups with 2-1 victories at Rogers Stadium. The women’s soccer team capped off a historic season by winning the 
USCAA National Championship.
 To donate, visit giving.VSU.edu

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