The RMC Humanities Initiatives are a bold presidential priority aimed at elevating the profile of humanistic study at Randolph-Macon and ensuring their continued centrality to a 21st-century liberal arts education. Innovative programming, interdisciplinary collaboration, and deep involvement with local artists will help students become thoughtful, curious, and engaged citizens.

A message from the Director of the humanities initiatives

The Humanities Initiatives we’re undertaking at Randolph-Macon College all speak to a single idea: that the humanities are more relevant than ever.

When students encounter subjects like language, culture, and history in the humanities classroom, they build their capacities for creativity, communication, and connection. These are necessary ingredients, both for the workplaces that they will enter and the world in which they will live.

The different initiatives outlined below showcase how the study of the humanities can help students to immerse themselves in our communities and to discover meaningful pathways in life. They aim to foster relationships with community partners and local organizations that will serve as new scenes of learning. They also aim to reconnect with alumni who can help guide our students in their professional lives and beyond.

The humanities call on students to contemplate some of life’s most important questions. Getting involved in these new initiatives will help our students answer this call.

– Dr. Bob Volpicelli
Professor of English and Director of the Humanities Initiatives

the initiatives

RMC RVA

Randolph-Macon’s proximity to Richmond puts the College in prime position to take advantage of the River City’s renowned museums, thriving performing arts scene, and status as a regional hub of culture. RMC RVA will connect students to Virginia’s capital through:

Dedicated funds for course travel to Richmond in 2026-2027
A Richmond-based travel course during January Term 2027
College-wide trips, open to all majors, to humanities-related events in Richmond (plays, exhibition openings, etc.)

Humanities Work

As AI and other technology reshapes our world, employers will require a humanistic perspective. That skillset is valuable: a 2023 study by the Academy of Arts and Sciences found that humanities majors earn well within the median range of all college degree holders. Through internship showcases, alumni networking, and work-study positions, Humanities Work will help students convert their studies into successful careers.

Applied Humanities

The Applied Humanities refers to the application of humanities concepts and methodologies to address pressing real-world problems, ranging from environmental to medical to digital, and more. The focus of this initiative is to build curricular infrastructure for these dynamic learning experiences.

Assistant Professor of History Donelle Boose will serve as the Applied Humanities Fellow for the 2026-2027 academic year, when she will lead a Public History Practicum in which students will use digital tools to support the Hanover County Black Heritage Society.

Roscoe Burnems speaks with students inside the McGraw-Page Library — Roscoe Burnems, a National Slam Poetry Champion and Richmond’s first poet laureate, joined the Multicultural Programming Board for a performance and conversation in March of 2026.

Humanities Now

Important voices, performances, and conversations are happening right here at Randolph-Macon. In addition to elevating existing events, Humanities Now will bring an annual forum to RMC to highlight the relevance of the humanities in solving our most pressing issues.

The Virginia Creators Series will bring the best of the Commonwealth to campus, starting with a book talk with author S.A. Cosby on Oct. 7.

What are the humanities?

By definition, the humanities are academic disciplines that study aspects of human society and culture. But the work undertaken in these spaces goes beyond the purely academic. The humanities connect us to cultures across the globe, help us understand our history, provide a lens through which to view art, and seek to answer a fundamental question: what does it mean to be human?

The humanities take form in a wide variety of areas of study at Randolph-Macon, including:

Buzzworthy The latest from the Humanities at RMC

Professor of English Dr. Bob Volpicelli tapped to lead the effort as Director of the Humanities Initiatives.

A professor sits in Adirondack chairs outside with two students discussing a book.

At the VMFA and the Valentine, respectively, Milly Mach ’26 and Allison Seiberling ’26 are laying the groundwork for curatorial careers.

Milly Mach and Katie Domurat pose together in front of paintings at the VMFA

Artist Jim Sanborn ’69 is the man behind one of the world’s most famous unsolved codes, a sculpture named “Kryptos” at CIA Headquarters in Langley, Va.