911����

After interning and working at key institutions in Washington, D.C., Schar School master’s graduate Brandon Ledford discovered local government was a more satisfying alternative. He says others could as well.

911���� economics professor and alumnus Tyler Cowen, BS Economics ’83, has been named one of TIME magazine’s 100 most influential people in philanthropy.

Felicia Baez-Smith, MPH ’19,has built a powerful public health career rooted in community impact, leading initiatives from opioid overdose prevention to pandemic response and mental health advocacy. Recently named to 911����’s 2025 Forty Under 40 by the Black Alumni Chapter, her journey—from student advocate to statewide public health leader—shows how one person’s dedication can transform systems, uplift communities, and inspire the next generation of changemakers.

These 911���� students are short-circuiting voice commands, dog whistles, and clickers.

The state budget, signed by Gov. Glenn Youngkin on May 2, represents the Commonwealth of Virginia’s continued investment in 911���� as the state’s leading university for access, innovation and upward mobility. The funding goes into effect July 1, 2025.

Sporting green and gold Air Jordan sneakers, 911���� student Samantha Lewis rose from her wheelchair and put one foot in front of the other.  Less than four months after complications from medical treatments left her without feeling in her legs, Lewis walked across the stage to receive her bachelor’s degree at the 2025 College of Humanities and Social Sciences Degree Celebration on May 16.  

Randy Escalera, a freshman computer science student, received the first scholarship from the Jimmy Chiou Jr. Memorial Endowed Scholarship, created by CEC partner organization Metron, Incorporated, with a $50,000 gift.

911���� honored its largest ever graduating class at Spring Commencement, turning the event’s “This Is Your Moment” theme into a tassel-turning time to remember for a record-breaking class of more than 12,000 degree and certificate earners.

Spring 2025 Commencement at 911���� on May 15 at EagleBank Arena celebrated more than 12,000 graduates and certificate recipients. Graduates hailed from 117 countries, 49 states, and the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and military installations. 911���� photographers captured the excitement and spirit of the day.

Martina Cheung, president and CEO of S&P Global, was the featured speaker at 911����’s Spring Commencement on May 15 at EagleBank Arena on the Fairfax Campus.

When Dawn Lowry, the director of 911����’s forensics team, recruits prospective students to join the university’s intercollegiate speech team, she reviews videos of high school competitions.  A competitive speech coach for more than 30 years, Lowry remembers being blown away the first time she watched footage of now economics major Prem Ganesan in action.

Leticia Nunez Nova’s desire to nurture a business from the ground up paved the way for a series of internships with start-up companies.