SEPTEMBER
GIRL POWER
Mentoring programs help young Richmonders learn to be leaders
By Laura Anders Lee
FALL ARTS PREVIEW
Our annual look at the upcoming entertainment experiences you won’t want to miss: music, dance, theater, gardens and film festivals, plus a look back at 20 years of the Richmond Folk Festival By Adam Cheek, Nicole Cohen, Harry Kollatz Jr., Julinda Lewis and Christine Winder
A NEW LEASH ON LIFE
A Richmond-area veterinarian’s work to improve the lives of veterans and rescue dogs
By Joan Tupponce
Patience and forgiveness are two virtues that veterinarian Stuart Callahan has learned from the dogs he treats at Mechanicsville Animal Hospital.
“They are just so easy to forgive. Some dogs have been through tough situations, and they come in and love everybody,” he says. “I see characteristics in a dog that I wish I could have more of.”
Those traits also make dogs ideal companions for some injured military veterans.
Callahan, 35, is a volunteer with Leashes of Valor, a nationwide nonprofit organization based in Fredericksburg. The group provides trained service dogs to veterans at no cost to help with symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury and other unseen wounds of military service.
The organization was founded by retired Marine Corps Capt. Jason Haig in 2017 while suffering from PTSD and a traumatic brain injury.
“Someone recommended a service dog and that dog changed his life,” says Kristin Davis, communication director for the organization. “He founded the organization to give trained service dogs to other veterans so they can get help the way he was helped.”
For the past year and a half, Callahan has provided a foster home for puppies in the Leashes of Valor program. He takes the dogs, which come from shelters and other rescue organizations, to group training classes to learn basic manners, house training and how to be a service dog.
“We get them out into the public while they are in obedience training. We give them real-world socialization through the whole pro-
cess,” Callahan says. “We immerse them in all sorts of environments and situations.” He even takes his trainees to work with him at the hospital. “That way the dog gets exposure to noises and different stress levels,” he says.
Callahan always had pet dogs when he was growing up in Hanover. His neighbors had horses, and there were cows across the street; interacting with them in his childhood helped him realize he was “always drawn” to be a veterinarian.
To that end, Callahan spent years in undergraduate and graduate school at Hampden-Sydney College and Virginia Tech, eventually graduating from Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine. He’s been at Mechanicsville Veterinary Hospital for five years, managing the office since 2022. That’s where he learned about Leashes of Valor.
The volunteers rotate their canine students a er four to six months so the dogs get used to different homes. “It makes for a dog you can take anywhere and [it will] be comfortable,” Callahan says. “That dog has to be the main source of calming and comforting [for its future owner].” A er volunteer training, the dogs are paired with veterans and the duos a end classes to solidify their bond. Since its founding, Leashes of Valor has provided 34 successful pairings and now averages eight pairings a year.
Though he gets a ached to his foster pups, Callahan tries to keep the bigger picture in mind. “This dog has a bigger purpose: to help someone who has had certain situations taken away from them,” he says. “We owe it to the service members and the dog to make them the best dog they can be.” R
Clockwise from left: Stuart Callahan, Nutzy and service dog in training Ski; Callahan and partner Jessica Hart with their dog Bentley; Callahan with Hart and mother, Robin Callahan, with service dog in training Afton
Stuart Callahan, volunteer with Leashes of Valor
Addressing Appetites
Methods like intuitive eating can lead to healthier eating habits
By Christine Suders
Istruggled with an eating disorder that began in high school and continued well into adulthood. By the time I was in my early twenties, I considered myself “in recovery” thanks to several bouts of therapy, but I didn’t get serious about addressing the causes of my disorder until I had my daughter in 2017. I had to heal so I could be a role model. I knew I’d need to help her combat the barrage of toxic messages about food she would one day hear.
While on my healing journey, I learned about intuitive eating. Rachel Marsiglio, a registered dietitian, certified intuitive eating counselor, and founder of Nourish2FlourishRVA, a nutrition prac-
tice in Central Virginia, explains it as, “learning how to have a healthy relationship with food and body. It involves eating what your body truly wants and needs.” It’s not a diet or weight loss program, and contrasts with typical diet culture in focusing less on specific foods and more on changing relationships with eating.
At first, the concept terrified me. No more limiting myself to just one Girl Scout cookie? If my body wanted to devour an entire box of Thin Mints, I could? The lack of restriction made me anxious. A er years of not listening to my body, I didn’t trust myself around certain foods. I quickly learned that the restricting of foods o en led to binging. Foods that are no longer forbidden are not as entic-
ing. A er I started practicing intuitive eating, I found myself reaching for a third or fourth cookie and thinking, “Does my body really want this?” The answer wasn’t always yes, and the urges diminished.
Learning about intuitive eating has empowered me to approach food without hangups. Now I can model and present this mindful approach to my daughters in a way that avoids reinforcing the unhealthy relationship with food that I experienced as a child and young adult.
“One of the best things parents can do to raise kids with a healthy relationship to food is to avoid creating diet culture rules. For example, saying things like ‘You can only eat this certain food once per week’ or ‘You can only have this drink when
FAMILY
[From left] Girls For A Change director of operations Na'Kera Richardson; program participants Kanisha Wilson, Asani Ka-Re, Kileya Johnson and Kaitlyn Johnson; and CEO Angela Patton
the Garden concert series continues with rock band Guster on Sept. 24. HarvestFest ushers in the fall with cra s, pumpkins and autumnal displays on Oct. 27. And The Dominion Energy GardenFest of Lights sets the garden aglow with more than a million dazzling bulbs, Nov. 18-Jan. 5, 2025. To see more upcoming programming, visit lewisginter.org.
DELIGHT, EDUCATE AND INSPIRE
Enhancements and entertainment abound at Maymont
Renovations and expansions are underway at the 100-acre historic estate Maymont as part of its centennial campaign, which includes an $11.75 million infrastructure project. In addition to the completed renovations at the Children’s Farm and The Robins Nature Center, projects underway include restorations at the Maymont Mansion and wildlife habitats, and reconfiguring pathways to create the new Virginia Wildlife Trail. The updates come as Maymont approaches its centennial and, accord-
ing to an announcement, with the goal of ensuring “Maymont continues to delight, educate and inspire guests for another 100 years.”
The enhancements were slated for completion this fall, but Maymont’s Communications Manager Melissa Abernathy says, “It looks like construction will start this fall and be completed sometime next year.”
Maymont has a packed calendar of events and programming scheduled through year’s end, including James River Week (September), Bier-Garden (Sept. 21-22), the Pollinator Container Garden workshop (Sept. 18-19) and w reathmaking (Dec. 3-7). Children’s activities include Homeschool Days, Toddler Time and Family Night Hikes.
During Garden Glow (Oct. 16-Nov. 10), Maymont is transformed with colorful lights, lanterns and art installations throughout the park. Guests can enjoy refreshments and warm up with fire pits in the Glow Village on the Carriage House Lawn.
The Merry Market on Dec. 7-8 gets guests into the holiday spirit as they
shop handmade and locally designed gi s from a variety of vendors on the Carriage House Lawn. For more information and additional events, visit maymont.org
MARKETS AND MUSIC
Agecroft Hall & Gardens presents family-friendly fall fun
Historic Tudor manor house Agecro Hall & Gardens is offering much more to its visitors this fall than a trip into the English past. Artists, makers and food vendors will assemble Sept. 14-15 as part of a free, two-day End-of-Summer Market. Guests can shop locally made wares such as art, jewelry and leather goods, and participate in a virtual scavenger hunt.
Music will fill the air from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Sept. 22 as concertgoers bring chairs and blankets to the front lawn of Agecro for the free fall concert by the Richmond Concert Band. “The Richmond Concert Band has been coming to Agecro for a number of years now, and they always put on a lively and electric performance that’s fun for all ages,” says Sarah Yount, the venue’s marketing and development manager.
The concert theme is “On Broadway” and will feature scores from “Les Miserables,” “Phantom of the Opera,” “Wicked” and more. A selection from “Cats” will also be performed in tribute to the late radio host and longtime Agecro Hall emcee Kat Simons. For more information, visit agecro hall.org.
OCT. 5
Sample Virginia wines during Powhatan’s Festival of the Grape. Explore the grounds of the historic Courthouse Village as you hear music, browse craft vendors and enjoy food truck fare. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. $20 to $45. powhatanwinefestival.com
OCT. 20
Agecroft Hall & Gardens hosts its fall fundraiser, Apples & Ales, featuring music, food and drinks. 4 to 7 p.m. $10 to $22. agecrofthall.org
OCT. 26
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden celebrates Diwali with a familyfriendly event featuring Bollywood dancers, a puppet show, an artisan market and henna tattoo artists. Noon to 8 p.m. Included with garden admission ($10 to $20). lewisginter.org
NOV. 2
Learn about agriculture and the history of brewing in Virginia at the 10th annual Hops in the Park festival, hosted at Henricus Historical Park to benefit The Henricus Foundation’s Children’s Education Fund. Noon to 6 p.m. Free. hopsinthepark.com
Maymont’s Bier-Garden
Richmond's Favorites
AGRIBERRY FARM
Agriberry Farm is a fruit farm in Hanover, Virginia providing delicious, nutritious, local fruit to the RVA area. We grow raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, muscadine grapes, and melons in Hanover, strawberries in Moseley, and peaches in Cold Harbor. Fruit lovers can nd us at nine farmers markets and six pop-up farm stands each week May - October (year-round at select markets), pick berries at the farm, or join our fruit-forward CSA. Eat More Berries! agriberry.com
DRS. MILLER & BEITZ
Dr. Benita Miller and Dr. Jill Beitz are thrilled to announce the addition of Dr. Nitya Reddy to the practice. We are proud to serve the greater Richmond area by o ering leading-edge periodontal and dental implant surgery procedures to enhance the smile as well as manage periodontal disease, which has a signi cant impact on overall health. Visit our website at richmondperop.net or call us at 804-285-4867 to learn more about optimizing your periodontal health.
IRONWOOD AUTOMOTIVE
At Ironwood Automotive, our mission is to create a unique experience for both our customers and employees. We rmly believe that by focusing on the needs of both, we can deliver outstanding service and satisfaction all around. With a specialization in Honda, Toyota, Acura and Lexus, and a commitment to community, we would love to be the shop you choose to do business with.
IronwoodAutomotive.com
LANE HOMES & REMODELING
Since 1984, Lane Homes & Remodeling has transformed hundreds of houses into dream remodels. Through the help of our award-winning designers, master craftsmen, and dedicated administrators, Lane Homes has remained Richmond's choice for large-scale residential remodeling. We are so honored to celebrate 2024 as our 40th year of remodeling the community. We are excited to continue a legacy of designing dreams and building futures for our clients. LaneBuilt.com
SPARKLE PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY
Dr. Holly Lewis is a board-certi ed pediatric dentist specializing in providing dental care for children of all ages. She is the founder and owner of Sparkle Pediatric Dentistry, with o ces in Short Pump and Hanover. Dr. Lewis has served as the president of the Virginia Society of Pediatric Dentistry and has been recognized with numerous awards for her clinical excellence. She is honored to be included once again in Richmond Magazine as a Top Doc! pediatricdentistryrichmond.com
SPOTLESS WINDOW CLEANING & SOFTWASH
Spotless is Richmond’s choice for professional exterior cleaning since 1962. We provide ve-star pressure washing, softwashing, gutter cleaning, and window cleaning services to residential homes and commercial properties throughout Richmond, Virginia and beyond. We know how much of a pain it can be to deal with
unprofessional contractors who miss deadlines and pull the “baitand-switch”. Spotless will restore beauty to your windows and home or building exterior with a straightforward and honest quoting process, convenient scheduling, and a professional sta that will brighten your day with service and quality that exceed expectations. See a brighter day with Spotless! spotlesswindow cleaning.com
UPPER SHIRLEY VINEYARDS
For almost a decade Upper Shirley Vineyards has been Richmond's favorite spot for a daily get-away to enjoy world-class wine and amazing views. Located on a serene bend of the James River, our grounds are the perfect refuge for a stop along the Capital Trail or to celebrate your most special of occasions. Come join us and let our sta nd the perfect glass to pair with the amazing food and company you'll be enjoying. uppershirley.com
VIRGINIA CARDIOVASCULAR SPECIALISTS
With 37 physicians and 9 convenient locations across Richmond, VCS is the largest, private cardiology practice in Central Virginia. We have over 30 years of experience in identifying and treating heart disease, vascular disease and heart rhythm problems for our patients and their families. Whether you need expert diagnosis, testing or treatment, let VCS show you why we are the name to trust in heart care. vacardio.com
WORLD OF MIRTH
A local favorite for over 30 years, World of Mirth is Richmond’s best toy store for kids of all ages. Need a gift for a new baby, grandma, or anyone in between? Our friendly sta is ready to help! We stock the newest and coolest items that make shopping a breeze. Always kid-friendly, always cutting-edge, our shelves are packed with awesome stu to entertain, educate, and amaze. Who says you have to grow up? Come on in and play!
WorldOfMirth.com
that they’re exposed to as much information and have as much of an opportunity to do that self-reflection.”
e funnel analogy is also useful for loosely categorizing schools based on the likelihood of acceptance. Consider a range of so-called safety schools — those you feel confident will accept your student. Include several target schools, or those that pique your student’s interest but may be more selective, as well as a few reach schools, which are those that either don’t accept many students or are outside your family’s budget.
But don’t get carried away, Poggendorf says. “I’ve seen families make these spectacular spreadsheets with all the facts and figures on them,” she says. “Put cost, put everything else aside for a minute. [ e student should ask] ‘Where am I going to flourish the most?’”
COST AND EFFECT
But of course the price tag plays a big part in the final decision, Livingston says. “A lot of it will come down to finances,” she says. “You’ve got to see what schools are o ering scholarship wise, because not all schools o er merit aid, which is based on your academic performance.”
Livingston says it’s important to check for performance-based aid before applying because highly selective institu-
tions, such as the Ivy League schools, don’t o er merit scholarships. (For more on college finances, see Page 112.)
PUT YOURSELF OUT THERE
e most important thing throughout the application process is to pay careful a ention to application due dates. “Deadlines ma er,” Vishon Luck, director of undergraduate admissions at Virginia Commonwealth University, writes via email. “Know your timeline and plan accordingly.”
Most schools have similar application processes and may even use the same form, called the Common Application, but deadlines vary depending on whether a student is applying early decision, early action or regular decision.
For most schools, the standard application deadline is Jan. 15, while the deadline for early decision and early action applications is Nov. 1, says Princeton Review’s Franek. “ e value is that you’re likely going to know within a month’s time if you’ve been admi ed, and that has great solace for a student and their parents,” Franek says. However, he notes, the information comes with a caveat: “Early decision is a binding policy; you’re obliged to go to that school.” Early action, where o ered, is not binding.
If a student has a clear first-choice school, it’s beneficial to apply early decision if possible. “Schools are competitive, particularly [those] that have a national appeal,” Franek says. Applying early decision shows a level of commitment and enthusiasm that carries weight with some admission o cials.
Although the application has sections for grades, extracurricular activities and recommendations, the keystone is the personal statement, a 650-word essay wri en in response to a prompt of the student’s choosing.
“Which doesn’t sound like that big of a deal,” Livingston, the admissions consultant, says. "Guess what? For a 17-year-old, talking about themselves, unveiling their authentic story, that is hard for them.” She recommends that students start practicing essay writing the summer before their senior year.
Poggendorf says Randolph-Macon’s admissions officers expect essays to be well-wri en, “but they don’t have to be Pulitzer Prize winners.” She says the essays are used to assess two things: “We want to get a sense of writing style. Can they write a cohesive document? at’s one thing. And believe it or not, there are a lot of people who can’t. And also, what’s their thought process like, what are they writing about?"
Most important, says University of Richmond’s Falk, relish the time with your college-bound student. roughout the search and application process, “block out the noise as much as possible,” she says. “ is is built-in time that you get to hear what they’re excited about, hear what they’re aspiring to in terms of their future.”
Students tour the University of Richmond.
LOCAL LENS
Area colleges offer a snapshot of educational options
BY MINDY KINSEY AND ALYSSA TRULL
Richmond’s identity as a university town takes on a new meaning when you have a student considering college. Looking beyond sports scores and arts opportunities reveals a range of academic programs and educational experiences, as well as a balanced selection of sizes, se ings and social amenities, that draw more than 40,000 students to the region each year. Here’s an introduction to the area’s five colleges and universities.
RANDOLPH-MACON COLLEGE
A private liberal arts institution in Ashland, Randolph-Macon College primarily o ers bachelor’s degrees, although it welcomed its first graduate students in physician assistant studies in January 2023. e school was recognized by the Princeton Review for its science labs and career services. While college President Robert R. Lindgren plans to retire in June 2025, he will kickstart major projects before then, including breaking ground on apartment-style residence halls, set to open for the 2025-2026 academic year and accommodate the school’s record enrollment. —A.T.
UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND
Known for its spider mascot and suburban campus straddling the Richmond-
Henrico County border, University of Richmond is a private institution that o ers bachelor’s and graduate degrees. About half of its students participate in study abroad programs, and a third are involved in Greek organizations. Busi-
[clockwise from top left] Virginia Commonwealth University; Virginia State University; University of Richmond; Virginia Union University; Randolph-Macon College
ness, management and marketing are popular majors among the 100-plus liberal arts and sciences programs available. For the 2024-25 academic year, the School of Arts & Sciences will introduce a cognitive science interdisciplinary program. e Princeton Review recently ranked UR #6 on its list of best private schools for internships; undergrads are eligible for $5,000 grants to support summer internships or faculty-mentored research projects. —A.T.
VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY
Seamlessly integrated into downtown Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University o ers top-ranked programs in arts, advertising and health care, as well as a range of undergraduate and graduate specialty schools. is fall, VCU is launching interdisciplinary minors in practical artificial intelligence and in mixed and immersive reality studies, which will be open to all students interested in learning how to use AI and metaverse tools. e public university recently began construction on the CoStar Center for Arts and Innovation at the corner of North Belvidere and West Broad streets. Scheduled for completion in late 2027, it will be home to VCU’s arts and innovation programs, and comprise classrooms, performance venues and makerspaces. —M.K.
VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY
One of two historically Black colleges/universities in the region, Virginia State University, just outside Petersburg, is literally a growing force in education. Last year, the public VSU welcomed its largest-ever freshman class, resulting in the highest yearto-year enrollment increase of any college in the commonwealth and one of the highest in the country. In the past year, the university has completed a new building for its College of Agriculture; established a hub for interdisciplinary programs in biotechnology, genomics and bioinformatics; announced a center to support engineering and computer science students; broken ground on an academic commons building; launched a teacher residency program to assist with the teacher shortage in local schools; and brought Wi-Fi 6E to its campus. —M.K.
VIRGINIA UNION UNIVERSITY
One of the 10 oldest historically Black colleges/universities in America, Virginia Union University was founded in 1865 by the American Baptist Home Mission Society and remains a faithbased institution with strong undergraduate and graduate theological programs. VUU increased enrollment by 11% in 2023, creating the largest student body in the private school’s history, and has reported that the 2024 incoming freshman class is “record-breaking.” e school has steadily grown its academic o erings and now awards 16 advanced degrees, including several in education; VUU also has strong programs in business, health, criminal justice and hospitality management. In May, Wegmans presented the university with a $300,000 grant to support scholarships. —M.K.
A STUDENT'S PATH
College living opens the door to self-discovery
BY PAULA PETERS CHAMBERS
For many college freshmen, moving into a dormitory marks the first time they will live away from their childhood home. Along with navigating an unfamiliar academic environment, students must create a new daily existence in a fresh se ing populated mainly by people they don't know.
As with other transitions, planning can make the shi easier.
“The greatest thing parents can do [with their child] before college is to list things the child likes and doesn’t like pertaining to living in close proximity with others,” says Mark James, acting dean of students at Virginia Union University. “ ink about relationships [the child has] with siblings, how the child tolerates mess.”
Many colleges and universities use a matching program, similar to a dating app, to help students find roommates, which can minimize di culties. “With any of these online tools, what you put in determines what you get out,” says Joe Boehman, associate dean of the School of Arts and Sciences at the University of Richmond. “You have to be honest about how neat you are — though ‘neat’ is a relative term — whether you’re a night owl, a partier. Sometimes, those things are hard to answer when parents are standing over your shoulder, so parents should give [students] the space to answer honestly.”
Parents also need to be willing to let go, James says, noting that VUU has a “parting ceremony” following dorm movein to reassure parents that students will still be cared for, even if they’re no longer living at home. “Parents play a major role in transitioning the mindsets of their sons and daughters,” he says. “Parents need to prepare students to part from them, so [students] can pursue independence.”
COMMUNAL LIVING
Once roomies are together in person, it’s time to hammer out specifics. “Have an
immediate conversation,” James says. “Say, ‘This is what I like; this is what I don’t like. Let’s talk about it.’ Honesty helps solve a lot of problems.”
Transparency is key, Boehman notes, because many students have never shared a room prior to college. Sharing a bedroom and bathroom encourages interaction with others, which helps students build social-emotional skill sets, Boehman says. “People will see you at your best and your worst, just as you see them,” he says. “[Dorm living] is good for learning how to give grace and being flexible. Be comfortable being uncomfortable. You have to learn how to negotiate some things.”
Virginia Commonwealth University’s Monroe Park campus.
P MOVING FORWARD
Setting students up for success starts with saying goodbye
BY PAULA PETERS CHAMBERS
reparing a child to leave home for a residential college is a multilayered, multistep process. It's easy to focus on the packing — clothes, supplies, hobby gear — but the emotional aspect doesn't easily fit in a box.
THE IMPORTANCE OF ORIENTATION
Most colleges and universities offer resources and programming to help both students and parents navigate this life transition. Even if the student has visited campus previously, orientation is key to a smooth move.
“One of the most important things about orientation is that a student feels comfortable in their decision,” says Alexis Brooks-Walter, vice president for student a airs and enrollment management at Virginia State University in Petersburg. “ is is a road they’ve never traveled. ey have to learn how to ask questions, determine resources and make connections with people on campus. [ rough orientation, students] find a cohort.”
Orientation at VSU is also about setting a tone, Brooks-Walter says. “We encourage parents to connect with each other,” she says. “We are a family a air,
and we try to start the family atmosphere at orientation.”
Grant Azdell, vice president for student affairs and dean of students at Randolph-Macon College in Ashland, says orientation is an essential learning experience for everyone. “ e basic thing is that [incoming students and parents] don’t know what they don’t know,” he says. “Every institution runs di erently. Even if parents have a college student at another institution, institutions are different. Every year, we tweak [orientation]
to o er what students need. Orientation is not something you want to blow o . We’re not here to waste your time; we’re here to make the transition easier.”
SETTLING IN
When the time comes for moving into the dormitory, administrators agree that less is more. “We encourage students to realize that most of them are moving into a shared space,” Brooks-Walter says. “Be mindful of what is essential and remember that family weekend is an opportunity to resupply or switch out things when necessary.”
Azdell says that, every year, he sees at least one student arrive with a loaded trailer. “I know more than half that stu will go home,” he says, adding that students should communicate with their roommates in advance to coordinate room amenities and avoid duplication of large items like refrigerators.
FIRST FAREWELL
For some, the hardest part of move-in is saying goodbye. “It doesn’t ma er how many students parents have taken to college, the emotions are di erent, the kids are not the same, the schools are not the same,” Azdell says. “Be careful not to transfer your emotions to your student. at washes o on the student experience and doesn’t set [the student] up for success.”
RMC’s orchestrated drop-off concludes with a parent send-o in the late a ernoon. “It doesn’t leave a lot of room for interpretation,” Azdell says. “When students arrive, there’s excitement overlaying anxiety. e longer a parent stays, the excitement drops and the anxiety goes up. Every student is going to have some anxiety, but the sooner they engage with other students, the be er. I tell parents, give me three weeks, and your [child] will be fine.”
VSU also has a well-organized movein procedure with help from administrators and upperclass students. “Designated times reduce the flow [of tra c] so students can do what they need to do
[Top] New student orientation at Randolph-Macon College; [right] A Virginia State University homecoming football game
and so we can have personnel available at those times,” Brooks-Walter says. Plus, there are snacks, beverages and even music to welcome everyone to campus. “ is is a celebration, the beginning of a family reunion,” she adds.
PARENTS’ WEEKEND
Parents may plan to visit their student during a fall family weekend. “It’s a wonderful time to reconnect,” Brooks-Walter says. At VSU, activities include open academic houses, a scavenger hunt, social events, a town hall, a football game and nondenominational Sunday service, all designed to help parents become more familiar with their child’s second home. “I think everybody has a sigh of relief when they see that connection [students are forming with the college],” she says, adding that if parents aren’t available to come, students may invite anyone to be their guest — extended family member, academic adviser, etc.
Before booking travel for college visits, Azdell advises parents to confirm details with their student. Some parents may assume if they don’t a end, their student will feel neglected, but but that's not necessarily the case; Azdell says that roughly onethird of freshmen students will have parent participation. “Ask your student; don’t just plan to show up,” he says. “Let the student have their experience.”
KEEPING IN TOUCH
Both Azdell and Brooks-Walter say parents should follow their student’s lead in communicating. “ is di ers dramatically from student to parent,” Brooks-Walter says. “Some are fine with once a week, some want every day. We recommend talking about GPS [tracking apps], too. It’s important to us that parents and students are on the same page.”
Azdell says parents should remember that if college is going well, they may hear from their child less o en. And he recommends parents ditch the tracking apps, recalling one student who purchased a prepaid cellphone so he could leave his “home” phone on a shelf in the library. “ e more you make [your child] work around you, the be er they will become,” Azdell says. “ e parent who intervenes is taking away the experience.”
College is a time when parents need to step back so their children can live their own lives. “Let the experience be the student’s experience, and let them fight their own ba les,” Azdell advises. “If they don’t know how [to do that], they’ll learn pre y quick.”
Brooks-Walter adds that parents should try to relax. “Have faith — in your students, in their upbringings, in the university,” she says. “Yes, it’s nerve-wracking, but trust [that students] have the capability to achieve their dreams. We are here for their benefit. We want them to succeed as much as their parents do.”
TO BE CONTINUED...
Programs and schools for furthering education
ADULT EDUCATION
Averett University Part-time undergraduate, $1,200 per semester. Master’s, cost varies by program. Evening classes for accelerated undergraduate or graduate degrees in business, education and criminal justice. Online classes available. 434-791-5600 or averett.edu.
Bluefield University $395 per online undergraduate credit hour; eight majors available. $475-$800 per graduate credit hour depending on program. 800-872-0175 or bluefield.edu.
Brightpoint Community College $164.61 per credit hour in-state. Online associate’s degrees in a variety of disciplines. Teacher recertification courses available. 800 Charter Colony Parkway, Midlothian, 804-796-4000; 13101 Route 1, Chester, 804-796-4000 or brightpoint.edu.
Community College Workforce Alliance Workplace training courses in the greater Richmond region as a partnership between Brightpoint and Reynolds community colleges. Multiple training and meeting facilities, 804-523-2292 or ccwatraining.org.
Lifelong Learning Institute Academic and fitness classes for ages 50 and older. $150 membership per year. 13801 Westfield Road, 804-378-2527 or llichesterfield.org.
Mary Baldwin University Online, MBU Online $460 per credit hour. Mary Baldwin University offers online undergraduate and graduate degrees, and certificates in 43 majors and programs: business, criminal justice, education, psychology, social work, master of business administration, master of healthcare administration, nursing to registered nurse, and more. online.marybaldwin.edu
Old Dominion University, ODUGlobal $408 per undergraduate credit hour (with Virginia domicile) $439 (students living outside Virginia); $620 (Virginia resident with Virginia domicile) per graduate credit hour. 176 online degrees and certificates in business, education, engineering, health/social sciences, nursing and technology. Transfer agreements with Reynolds and Brightpoint. 800-968-2638 or online.odu.edu.
Reynolds Community College $176 per credit hour; visit website for details. Parham Road Campus, 1651 E. Parham Road; Downtown Campus, 700 E. Jackson St.; Goochland campus, 1851 Dickinson Road; The Kitchens at Reynolds, 2500 Nine Mile Road; 804-371-3000 or reynolds.edu.
Union Presbyterian Seminary $500 per semester hour. Graduate programs in biblical and theological studies, ministry and Christian education. 3401 Brook Road, 800-229-2990 or upsem.edu.
University of Richmond, Robins School of Business Executive education and noncredit professional development programs to nurture leadership talent. MBA program, part-time, fully accredited graduate program for working professionals. 102 UR Drive, 804-289-8550 or robins.richmond.edu.
University of Richmond, School of Professional and Continuing Studies Degree program tuition starts at $575 per semester hour. Other course fees vary by program. Evening undergraduate and master’s degrees in education, liberal arts, information systems, HRM and more. Plus professional development and training programs, including a coding boot camp. Also offers the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. 490 Westhampton Way, 804-289-8133 or spcs.richmond.edu.
Virginia Commonwealth University Cost varies by program. More than 100 graduate and professional degree and certificate programs offered on campus and online; call 804-8286916 or visit graduate.admissions.vcu.edu for a full list and application information. VCU Continuing and Professional Education offers noncredit, credit and CEU opportunities. 804-828-1322 or ocpe.vcu.edu
Virginia State University $407 per undergraduate credit hour for Virginia residents. 600 per graduate credit hour for Virginia residents. 37 undergraduate programs and 19 graduate programs offered. 1 Hayden Drive, Petersburg, 804-524-5000 or vsu.edu.
Virginia Union University Non-degree courses, police academy courses and a weekend teacher licensure program. 1500 N. Lombardy St., 804-257-5600 or vuu.edu.
Visual Arts Center of Richmond A longstanding community arts center that offers more than 1,500 youth and adult art classes in 12 mediums, including drawing, painting, creative writing, clay, photography, digital arts, glass, fiber, metals and jewelry, and more. 1812 W. Main St., 804-353-0094 or visarts.org.
VMFA Studio School Classes for ages 16 and older in creative writing, drawing, printmaking, painting, pottery, design, photography and yoga. 200 N. Arthur Ashe Boluevard, 804-340-1405 or vmfa.museum/studio-school
PROFESSIONAL SCHOOLS
Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing Offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing taken in-person and online. Registered nurse to Bachelor's program available. 8550 Magellan Parkway, Suite 1100, 804-627-5300 or bsmcon.edu.
Bryant & Stratton College Degree and diploma programs in business, nursing, medical assisting, hospitality, legal services and technology. 8141 Hull Street Road, 804-745-2444 or bryantstratton.edu.
ECPI Degree and diploma programs in technology, business, criminal justice, health science, nursing, culinary arts. Technology, Business & Culinary Arts, 11104 W. Broad St., Glen Allen, 804-934-0100; Nursing & Health Science, 2809 Emerywood Parkway, Suite 400, 804-417-4742 or ecpi.edu.
Lotus Professional College State-certified training in acupuncture, therapeutic massage and esthetics. 8935 Patterson Ave., 804-290-0980 or lotus.edu.
South University Programs in health care, public health, criminal justice, business, psychology and more. 2151 Old Brick Road, Glen Allen, 804-727-6800 or southuniversity.edu.
Updated August 2024. To suggest an update to this listing, please email editor@richmag.com, subject line: school chart update.
registered dietitian (a newer role at VCU), Quinn Taylor. Referred to as the allergy-friendly-cuisine queen, Taylor o ers consultations for dining plan holders, shares tips for healthy eating through her Instagram account (@vcudietitian) and works closely with the team to collaborate on well-balanced options and ensure that nutrition and allergen information on dishes is up to date.
“This is an interesting population because, for a lot of the students, college is the first time they’re fully on their own and pu ing meals together and the first time they have full autonomy over what they’re eating, which can be overwhelming,” Taylor says. “We want the dining part to be easy, which is one of the reasons I’m here, to help students. I encourage students to utilize me, I’m kind of a perk of the dining plan.”
Anisa Baeroosh, the dining hall’s dedicated executive pastry chef and the first to hold the position, says that from the
initial batch of housemade treats she whipped up, students could taste a di erence. “We just did production cookies from scratch, and people noticed immediately, and now I have to make a ton, which is great,” she says with a laugh.
A longtime pastry chef at the University of Virginia who also worked at Capital One and Ellwood ompson’s, Baeroosh is backed by a group of 10 fellow bakers. A bonus in her current role is that she can interact with students and gain feedback — she’s learned the vegan Oreo brownies and blondies are big hits.
ese newer positions are supported by a squad of tenured employees at Shafer Dining Hall, among them Jackie Cherry, aka Ms. Jackie or Peaches. She lovingly refers to students as her “babies,” and if you’ve eaten at Shafer in the last 16 years, no doubt Cherry swiped you in. While the culinary crew ensures students have access to a healthy diet, Cherry ensures that students feel the love.
A Richmond native with a matriarchal presence, she says, “When [students] first come here and have lunch for the first time, I’m the first person they see. I have to make that connection with them, they have to know someone will be stable in their life; I’m that stable person.”
Stability is an aspect the dining hall has been working continually to perfect. Some students may feel a reinvestment in campus cuisine has been a long time coming, but large-scale change can o en be a slow and steady roll.
“Our goal is to be as ahead and well thought out as possible so we can actually show the care we need to,” Morgan says. “ at’s the biggest part and something that I think this place needed a lot, was that care, that love, and we’re ge ing a lot of it infused right now with all these di erent counterparts. I’m actually pre y excited I get to be a part of this, and it is something as simple as a dining hall, but it can be so much more to so many people.” R
[From left] dietitian Quinn Taylor, chef Kyle Midgett and food service director Aaron Morgan working on menu planning
PERSPECTIVE
Shine On
Manchester’s Gold Lion Community Cafe embraces the essence of co ee shops
By Bird Cox
The evolution of co ee shops over the last decade or two has followed a trajectory similar to much of American social life: What used to be mellow and contemplative has become fast and transactional; we’ve lost the thoughtfulness that used to permeate spaces like these. If you’re old enough, you might remember how your favorite cafe was full of couches and armchairs, anchored by so lighting, animated by poetry readings and open mic nights. Now, many have backless metal stools and online ordering, and it’s common for customers to be glued to their phones, not making eye contact with a single soul.
At Gold Lion Community Cafe, that’s not the case. Owners Ma hew and Nafis Narsinghani set out to build an actively engaging, inclusive space, and they have succeeded admirably. You feel it when the sta speaks
to you with a smiling familiarity and again when you take a look around and notice how many community-building projects they support: coat drives, local fridge fundraisers, a shared anksgiving meal provided to any in need, a regular new-to-Richmond meetup night and a big bulletin board in the front foyer posted with event info. ey schedule fun get-togethers multiple nights a week, from drag shows and comedy performances to cabaret, Bollywood, swing dance and discussion panels.
Reflecting on the beginnings of Gold Lion, Ma hew says, “We’re coming from Tennessee, a place that lacked inclusivity, so when we moved here and started to realize that people are so friendly — they come together and rally for people they don’t even know — we decided to do what we really wanted to do, which was to open a cafe and serve my husband’s family recipes.”
Marking a year in business
this September, the vegetarian-powered cafe at 1012 Hull St. in Manchester has firmly planted roots.
“We saw this space and thought we could make this a center point for LGBTQ+ people, Asian Americans, people of color and all our allies,” Ma hew says. “We met so many people, both new and not new to Richmond, and they were looking for community. e surgeon general had just declared that loneliness is one of the biggest epidemics in America, and I felt very compelled by that.”
Compared to other cafes, they’re open late (9 or 10 p.m. most nights) and pour co ee every day of the week. ey also have an a ached bar named for their late dog, Duke’s Den, that exudes the same friendly, chat-with-me vibes as the co ee shop. Indian-inspired flavors mingle on the food and cocktail menus; get the Nimbu Pani for the full experience. It’s a spiced, lemonade-like vodka refresher with a sweet-tart green chutney garnish. Not an alcohol drinker? Your new favorite sip might be the ultra-juicy spiced iced tea with mango, pineapple, cinnamon and ginger. Grab a hand-held snack to go with it, such as a homemade potato and pea dosa or pani puri.
Highlighting Gold Lion isn’t a critique of other cafes so much as contemplation on what it takes to revive that lost closeness for those who crave it: You’ve got to go all in, have a strong point of view and prioritize the personal. e co ee shop model is tough, and those metal stools have appeared for a reason. People sit for hours and order a single la e; that’s not sustainable. But by weaving customers into the fabric, it allows a deeper bond to form. In a world where we all could use a bit more kindness, this co ee shop has managed to reclaim one of the best parts of being human — connection. R
Nafis and Matthew Narsinghani, owners of Gold Lion
JAY PAUL
