SPCS Newsroom

News about SPCS

SPCS students, faculty, staff and alumni regularly succeed inside and outside the classroom. Most of those accomplishments never make local or national headlines. That doesn’t minimize those accomplishments.

We do our best to recognize media coverage, achievements and promotions and other good news on our main page, but the SPCS Newsroom seeks to provide a more nuanced presentation of SPCS accomplishments by population rather than by type or media.

SPCS News

January 9, 2026

Nonprofit studies chair Andrew Schoeneman accepts position at UVA; Grant Rissler named incoming program chair

Dr. Grant Rissler has been named chair of the Nonprofit Studies program at the University of Richmond School of Professional and Continuing Studies effective Jan. 9, 2026. He takes on the role following the departure of Dr. Andrew Schoeneman, who accepted a position at the University of Virginia.

January 9, 2026

SPCS Faculty Update

Faculty promotions, awards announced during spring SPCS faculty meeting

Faculty in the School of Professional & Continuing Studies celebrated promotion announcements and service awards during the annual awards ceremony held during the spring faculty meeting on January 8, 2026.

January 6, 2026

Bruce McKechnie named paralegal studies program coordinator

The University of Richmond School of Professional and Continuing Studies has named Adjunct Associate Professor Bruce McKechnie program coordinator for its Paralegal Studies program with responsibilities that include curriculum oversight, student support, and community partnerships.

University of Richmond Magazine

How to think like a Banana Ball player

After Tyler Rigot, GC’25, finished his final athletic season, he jumped to playing in the Banana Ball league, a fast-paced and antic-filled twist on baseball.

University of Richmond Magazine

Richmond grad helps young people dream big

Teacher Brittany Andrews, GC’18, guides local high school students as they prepare for college and future careers, helping them make their dreams a reality.

October 24, 2025

SPCS launches cutting-edge cybersecurity training programs with IronCircle

The University of Richmond School of Professional and Continuing Studies has partnered with IronCircle, the AI-powered cybersecurity workforce platform, to deliver rigorous, transformative, and industry-aligned training.

October 23, 2025

University of Richmond honors excellence in library research with 2025 John Miers Award winners

The University of Richmond School of Professional and Continuing Studies (SPCS), in partnership with Boatwright Memorial Library, is proud to announce this year’s recipients of the John Miers Award for Excellence in Library Research: Ethan Riddle and LaRee Sugg.

September 29, 2025

Think Again 2025-26 magazine of professional education opportunities now available

The 2025-26 issue of Think Again, the magazine of University of Richmond professional education opportunities offered in the School of Professional and Continuing Studies, is now available.

SPCS Features

Photo of Fred Gatty speaking superimposed on a blue background with multiple lighter blue shapes surrounding him

SPCS Alumni Update

Leading through Constraint

For 2016 graduate Fred Gatty, the University of Richmond School of Professional and Continuing Studies was more than a pathway to a degree. It was the proving ground where a personal promise became a leadership philosophy centered on integrity, discernment, and action.

Alumni

UR graduates turn degrees into success

Four Spider alumni share their professional journeys — six months, one year, two years, and three years after graduation.

Tyler Rigot, GC’25, celebrating with teammates at the end of a Banana Ball game in Richmond

University of Richmond Magazine

How to think like a Banana Ball player

After Tyler Rigot, GC’25, finished his final athletic season, he jumped to playing in the Banana Ball league, a fast-paced and antic-filled twist on baseball.

SPCS Alumni Updates

November 17, 2025

SPCS Alumni Update

Leading through Constraint

November 10, 2025

Alumni

UR graduates turn degrees into success

Four Spider alumni share their professional journeys — six months, one year, two years, and three years after graduation.

October 24, 2025

SPCS launches cutting-edge cybersecurity training programs with IronCircle

October 23, 2025

University of Richmond honors excellence in library research with 2025 John Miers Award winners

SPCS Faculty & Staff Accomplishments

November 1, 2025

SPCS Faculty Update

Darby appointed to Chesterfield County School Board

Jenna Darby, adjunct assistant professor of education, has been appointed an interim representative to the Chesterfield County School Board for the Clover Hill District, effective Jan. 1.

October 10, 2025

Shields & Redican present on Live & Learn 2.0 housing & education report

Tom Shields, chair of Graduate Education and associate professor of Education and Leadership Studies, presented with Kyle Redican, director of the Spatial Analysis Lab, on the experience of digitizing the 2024 Live and Learn 2.0 report into an interactive public website. They presented during the September 26 session of the 2025 Faculty & Staff Mini Research Symposium.

October 9, 2025

Watson invited to serve on national Osher advisory council

Peggy Watson, W’76, has been invited by the National Resource Center (NRC) for Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes to become a member of the inaugural Osher NRC Advisory Council. The council is being created to ensure that the NRC remains closely connected to the needs and priorities of the network of Osher institutions around the country. Watson will serve a two-year term on the council.

September 8, 2025

Fitrer named to Leadership Metro Richmond class of 2026

Laura Fitrer, GC’16, has been named to Leadership Metro Richmond (LMR)’s flagship program, Leadership Quest, as a member of the class of 2026. Each year, LMR welcomes a diverse group of community leaders into Leadership Quest. This ten-month experience equips participants with the tools to drive lasting change in the greater Richmond region.