Grad Pod VCU
Grad Pod is brought to you by the Graduate School as a means of connecting with graduate students, faculty, and staff.
Our goal is to offer insights, resources, and stories from across our VCU community. Whether you're navigating the challenges of grad school, seeking advice on research or career development, or simply interested in hearing from those who support your academic success, you've come to the right place!
Grad Pod episodes are released bimonthly on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month during the Fall and Spring semesters.
Latest Episodes
Grad Pod is Taking a Summer Break, See You in August!
As the middle of the summer rolls around, we’re hitting pause for July to rest, recharge, and gear up for an exciting new season of Grad Pod!
Whether you're traveling, working on your research, or just taking a well-deserved breather, we hope this time brings you a bit of calm and clarity.
We will be back in August with fresh topics and conversations to kick off the new academic year, support you, and keep you informed. From New Graduate Student Orientation to spotlights on faculty members, student stories, and helpful tips to navigate your graduate journey, we’re excited to bring you a new season and are looking forward to welcoming you back!
If you have a question for us, please use this form to give us your recommendations for a topic to cover or a question to answer on the Grad Pod. All responses are anonymous!
Thank you for listening, sharing, and being a part of the Grad Pod community. Be sure to follow us on your favorite podcast platform so you don’t miss our return this August!
On this episode of The Grad Pod, we’re diving into the excitement and uncertainty that comes with approaching graduation. Haya is joined by Dr. Erin Brown, Director of the Professional Development Office at VCU’s Graduate School, to talk about how to navigate life after grad school. From workshops and one-credit courses to digital badges and networking tips, Dr. Brown shares the resources and strategies that can help you step into your next chapter with clarity and confidence.
In this episode of Grad Pod, Haya sits down with Annie Hinson, a fifth-year PhD candidate in Microbiology and Immunology at VCU and one of the 2025 COVES Fellows. From finding her “why” in oral health advocacy to building networks and stepping into legislative spaces, this episode explores how graduate students like Annie can expand their impact beyond academia and into real-world change through the Commonwealth of Virginia Engineering and Science (COVES) Fellowship.
In this episode of Grad Pod, we're proud to highlight Dr. Hamid Akbarali, one of the recipients of VCU’s inaugural Graduate Faculty Mentoring Award—for faculty members who go above and beyond to uplift and walk alongside their students.
In this episode of Grad Pod, Haya sits down with Dr. Jill Blondin, Vice Provost for Global Initiatives at Virginia Commonwealth University, to explore the unique challenges and opportunities regarding immigration faced by international students . From navigating complex systems and cultural transitions to building community and accessing support resources, this episode offers a compassionate and comprehensive look at what it really means to study far from home.
In this episode of Grad Pod, Haya is joined by Jamie Taylor, Special Assistant to the Dean and Vice Provost of VCU’s Graduate School, to answer common questions about VCU’s upcoming commencement events. Jamie also explains the special hooding ceremony for Ph.D. and Ed.D. students. The episode concludes with a heartfelt message from Dr. Manu Gupta, Dean and Vice Provost of VCU’s Graduate School, encouraging the Class of 2025 to continue pursuing knowledge and use their education as a launchpad for future success.