As one of only 28 public universities with academic medical centers to be designated by the Carnegie Foundation as “Community Engaged” with “Very High Research Activity,” Virginia Commonwealth University is taking its place among the nation’s premier urban, public research universities.

VCU received $262 million in externally funded sponsored awards in fiscal year 2014 and has 34 graduate and first professional programs ranked nationally by U.S. News & World Report. And, through the guidance of its strategic plan, Quest for Distinction, VCU is working to meet the demands of diverse populations through impactful research, rigorous study and extensive community engagement.

VCU enrolls about 31,000 students in more than 220 degree and certificate programs and encompasses one of the largest academic health centers in the nation, VCU Medical Center, named the No. 1 hospital in the Richmond metro area in 2014 by U.S. News & World Report.

VCU and the VCU Health System have been honored with prestigious national and international recognition for top-quality graduate, professional and medical care programs, reflecting a commitment to be among America’s top research universities focused on student learning.