Dear Alumni and Friends,
What a glorious time spring is at the Jepson School of Leadership Studies! Trees unfurled new leaves and flowers bloomed across campus as we welcomed friends, families, and alumni to Finale and Commencement May 9–10 and to Reunion Weekend May 29–31.
This year, we had special cause to celebrate during Commencement when our first legacy graduate received her diploma. We recognized five 2026 graduates who received full scholarships to attend University of Oxford master’s programs as Jepson Scholars.
Other 2026 grads are headed to graduate school at Boston University, Georgetown University, University of Pennsylvania, University of St Andrews, and University of Virginia, to name but a few. Still others have accepted jobs with Capital One, EY, JPMorganChase, the Office of the Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut, Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and more.
At our annual Research Symposium in April, 18 students presented their research, including 12 who completed senior honors theses under the guidance of faculty mentors. Research topics covered rhetoric in the 2024 U.S. presidential campaign, a proposed U.S. conscription model, higher education responses to current events, and more.
Speaking of research, three faculty members published books in February and March. Recently, our faculty experts were quoted by Bloomberg, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, and The Times (of London) and were published in yahoo!news.
The consistent, generous support of our alumni and friends contributes greatly to the school’s success. This April during the University of Richmond’s annual UR Here Giving Day, the Jepson School ranked first among the five schools in fundraising for the second year in a row. I couldn’t be more grateful.
During Reunion Weekend, I caught up with many Jepson alumni who are doing great things in their professions and in society. It is an honor to serve as dean of a school that has so many exemplary graduates.
Thanks to our students, faculty, and alumni, the Jepson School continues #LeadingTheWay. Please enjoy the spring issue of The Jepson Update!
With gratitude,
Sandra J. Peart
Dean and E. Claiborne Robins Distinguished Professor in Leadership Studies
President, Jepson Scholars Foundation
Kevin Hass was a pioneering student of leadership studies when he graduated in 1998 as a member of the Jepson School’s fifth class. Twenty-eight years to the day later, daughter Sydney Hass became the school’s first legacy graduate. Kevin says he regularly draws on his leadership education as the head pastor of a Presbyterian church. Now Sydney hopes to apply her leadership knowledge in a public service career.
Five members of the Jepson School Class of 2026 will receive all-expenses-paid scholarships to master’s programs at the University of Oxford. Samuel Chanenson will pursue a master’s degree in applied digital health; Abigail Green and Daniel Polonia, master’s degrees in higher education; and Emerson Linden and Jacob Schumer, master’s degrees in comparative social policy.
"Oxford is looking for people who want to change the world," said Jepson School benefactor Robert S. Jepson Jr., B’64, GB’75, H’87. These five scholars hope to do just that.
Many Jepson School students and alumni know Dr. Thad Williamson as a leadership scholar who teaches courses like Justice and Civil Society and researches urban politics and community economic development. They may not know that he is also a leadership practitioner, with extensive experience working in the City of Richmond Mayor’s Office for three consecutive administrations.
Mark your calendars for Homecoming Weekend, Oct. 23–25. From tailgates and happy hours to campus tours and the big football game against Colgate at Robins Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 24, there will be something for everyone. We can’t wait to welcome you back!
A student-faculty collaboration in the Jepson School of Leadership Studies has resulted in a comprehensive digital collection of nearly 450 Native American constitutions.
Senior Emma McCauley became the first woman to serve as a senator in the historically male Richmond College Student Government Association.
Spiders rank among top 7% of college teams nationwide after participating in intercollegiate ethics bowls.
Incoming RCSGA president CJ Blastos grounds his leadership philosophy in a strong commitment to service.
University of Richmond students presented their leadership and psychology research at the 2026 Society for Personality and Social Psychology Convention in Chicago.
Gilman Scholar Sabrina Gaytan Lopez studied U.K. and EU law at the University of Cambridge.
Jepson School of Leadership Studies
221 Richmond Way
University of Richmond, VA 23173
General Information:
Phone: (804) 289-8008
Fax: (804) 287-6062
Email: jepson@richmond.edu