INSIDE RBC BLOGS

The official online journal of Richard Bland College of William & Mary

Dr. Jamia Hines Davis: Cultivator of Tomorrow’s Leaders

Guided by her own transformation, Dr. Jamia Hines Davis, RBC Assistant Professor of Communication, helps students mature into strong public speakers. By Sterling Giles For nearly a decade, Dr. Jamia Hines Davis has helped students at Richard Bland College (RBC) realize they have the potential to become powerful orators long before they believe it […]

Herb Coulton: Champion of RBC

Herb Coulton was searching for the right college for his son, Jalen, which led them to RBC. The wealth of opportunities available at the institution inspired Coulton to join the staff and become one of the College’s most vocal advocates. By Sterling Giles For Herb Coulton, Richard Bland College (RBC) not only changed his […]

Sophia Bustillos: Buzzworthy Impact

This student’s dedication to revitalizing the College’s beehive reflects her passion for environmental science and sustainability. By Sterling Giles At Richard Bland College (RBC), second-year student Sophia Bustillos found an unlikely calling—one that hummed with purpose. Through academic exploration and mentorship, she was inspired to serve as the campus beekeeper. The Fort Worth, Texas […]

Andy Yang: Civic-Minded Innovator

This RBC dual enrollment student applied his learning from the classroom to bridge the digital gap in his community. By Sterling Giles Andy Yang, a Richard Bland College (RBC) dual enrollment student from Colonial Heights High, takes his learning beyond the classroom. Namely, he developed software to bolster his family’s restaurant digital capabilities to […]

Taylin Manson: Community Cultivator

After taking a leap of faith to attend RBC, this student has cultivated a strong community of like-minded peers and found her purpose in fostering global connection. Tell us about yourself—where you’re from, family life, hobbies and interests that inspired you to major in what you’re currently studying. I am from Dinwiddie, Virginia, but […]

More Recent Stories

March 17, 2026

David See: Purpose Beyond the Uniform

After years of military service, this RBC student brings newfound motivation to his higher education journey. By Sterling Giles The journey to higher education for David See, a first-year student at Richard Bland College (RBC), is shaped by discipline and a renewed sense of purpose. When See graduated from high school, college was not […]

March 9, 2026

Shyla Cooper: Harmony of Becoming

For this second-year student, the structure of track & field and the freedom of artistic creativity exist in harmony—giving her the balance she needs to thrive. By Sterling Giles The daughter of a Navy father and Army mother, Shyla Cooper—born in Long Beach, California—spent much of her childhood traveling across the country before planting […]

March 4, 2026

Amar Jabri: Bridging Biomechanics and Bodybuilding

This second-year student has transformed his passion for bodybuilding into a clear academic path in sports science. Tell us about yourself—where you’re from, family life, hobbies and interests that inspired you to major in what you’re currently studying. My family is originally from Syria and I was raised with strong values centered around discipline, […]

February 24, 2026

Jada Ramirez: Compassion-Driven Leader

This RBC student’s passion for psychology shapes her compassionate, people-centered approach to leadership. Tell us about yourself—where you’re from, family life, hobbies, interests that inspired you to major in what you’re currently studying etc. My name is Jada Ramirez. I’m a second year and I’m originally from Houston, Texas. I come from a very […]

February 19, 2026

Jacob Howe and Cecilia Gonzales: Finding Forever at Richard Bland College

Jacob Howe and Cecilia Gonzales, who first met in third grade, rekindled their connection through RBC’s immersive Alternative Spring Break program—an experience that changed the trajectory of their lives in ways they never could have imagined. By Sterling Giles A Butterfinger candy bar led to forever for Jacob Howe (‘17) and Cecilia Gonzales (‘17). […]

February 17, 2026

Braxton Coleman: Rooted in Nature

This second-year student’s lifelong fascination with nature is shaping his future in environmental science. By Sterling Giles Dating back to his childhood, Braxton Coleman—a second-year student from Prince George County, Virginia—has been captivated by nature. This led him down a path to consider environmental science as a potential career path. “When I’m in the […]

February 9, 2026

Kaya Pope: Marketing Mind in the Making

This RBC student is building the skills and confidence she needs to launch a successful future in marketing. Tell us about yourself—where you’re from, family life, hobbies and interests that inspired you to major in what you’re currently studying. My name is Kaya Pope and I’m a second-year student. I’m from Petersburg, Virginia. Some […]

February 3, 2026

Richard Agbo: Raw Talent Into Opportunity

This second-year student’s work ethic and willingness to grow has granted him success on and off the basketball court. By Sterling Giles Richard Agbo, a Nigerian-born, second-year student at Richard Bland College (RBC), came to the United States more than six years ago aspiring to become a student-athlete at the collegiate level and eventually […]

January 16, 2026

Lilli Brown: Boundlessly Curious

This student’s RBC journey is defined by courage, curiosity and a willingness to step into leadership. By Sterling Giles Lilli Brown, a second-year student at Richard Bland College (RBC), prioritizes amplifying student voices. As President of the RBC Student Assembly, she strives to foster a campus atmosphere where students feel heard and their input […]

November 19, 2025

Seanon Duncan: Fueled By Curiosity

This second-year RBC student’s inquisitiveness has driven him be involved on campus and chart a path toward a career in Psychology. Tell us about yourself—where you’re from, family life, hobbies and interests that inspired you to major in what you’re currently studying. I was born on a small farm in Gloucester, Virginia. My hobbies […]

July 2, 2025

World’s Most Advanced Robot Comes to RBC

RBC owns a next-generation humanoid robot driven by cutting-edge AI. By Sterling Giles Richard Bland College (RBC) is one of the few institutions of higher learning nationwide with not only one, but two Ameca robots equipped with interactive artificial intelligence (AI). Ameca, the world’s most advanced humanoid robot, is designed to engage with humans […]

June 13, 2025

Janelle Mujadzic: A Driven People Leader

This RBC student’s work ethic and sympathy for others has elevated her as one the College’s top student leaders. Tell us about yourself—where you’re from, family life, hobbies, interests that inspired you to major in what you’re currently studying etc. I am Bosnian, however, I was born in Germany and moved to the States […]

June 11, 2025

Abbigayle Poirier: Artful Storyteller

This RBC art professor illuminates the importance of light and color for captivating storytelling. By Sterling Giles Abbigayle Poirier, Art Professor at Richard Bland College and gifted oil painter, is a lover of the art of paint—not only what it represents. “I’m not a painter because I want to paint narratives,” she said. “I’m […]

June 10, 2025

James Revere, Jr.: Scholar for Justice

This First-Gen RBC student is charting a path toward a career in criminal justice. Tell us about yourself—where you’re from, family life, hobbies, interests that inspired you to major in what you’re currently studying etc. My name is James E. Revere, Jr. I was born in Richmond, Virginia. My family and I later moved […]

April 22, 2025

Adrian Rios: Servant Leader

This RBC student values legacy building and putting the needs of others before his own. By Sterling Giles Second-year RBC student Adrian Rios has been legacy-focused from an early age. “The legacy I would like to leave here is that I was a man of honor and respect—a man that cared for others and […]

April 10, 2025

Jordyn Brown: Powered by Virtual Reality

This RBC first-year student turns to virtual reality to bring his education to life. By Sterling Giles Chesterfield, Va. native Jordyn Brown has had a proclivity for computer science and technology for most of his life. Prior to RBC, he attended CODE RVA, a Richmond, Va-based computer science magnet school, to immerse himself in […]

March 24, 2025

TaKayla Wilbourn: An Innate Leader

Through her strong leadership abilities, this second-year RBC student makes a meaningful difference in the RBC community. Tell us about yourself — where you’re from, family life, hobbies and interests that inspired you to major in what you’re currently studying. My name is TaKayla Wilbourn and I’m a second year-student here. I’m from Prince […]

March 18, 2025

Usra Jabri: Culturally Rooted

This RBC student champions her Arabic heritage in more ways than one. By Sterling Giles Usra Jabri, a first-year student at Richard Bland College (RBC), uses her paintbrush to tell authentic stories of her Arabic heritage. But due to life’s circumstances, she had to learn about her identity and culture in isolation. A few […]

Inside RBC Archives

Tour Our Campus Now

Watch Video

Ready to Create Your Journey?

Apply Now

Visit Us

Request Info