I am driven by the belief that everyone deserves to be heard, understood, and empowered. As I move forward in the field of immigration law, my goal is to be a bridge for those facing language and legal barriers, and to advocate for dignity, fairness, and inclusion in every interaction.

The School of World Studies is honored to feature recent alum and Valedictorian, Amanda Purcell, who earned a Bachelor of Arts in Foreign Language with a Concentration in Spanish, along with SETI certification and a Certificate of Excellence in Spanish, in Spring 2025. 

While attending VCU, Purcell made Dean's List, served as a Creative Team Lead with VCU School of Education, participated in the inaugural VCU Work+ conference, and was even awarded a Black History in the Making Award during her last semester, in February 2025. 

Before graduating, Purcell looked back on her proudest accomplishments as a student, sharing "During my time at VCU, I helped initiate a new internship available in the SETI program through the School of Education, making me part of the first generation of SETI students to begin research and contributions in this field. We will pass on our research and findings for future students to continue the legacy in connecting SETI with Education.”

Purcell's professors also had reflections to share, including "Amanda is the hardest working student that I have had!" from Dr. Indira Sultanic, and "Amanda is an excellent student!" from Dr. Pablo de Cuba Soria. 

Post-graduation, Amanda is currently working as an Immigration File Administrator at McCandlish Holton.

“Throughout my academic journey, I developed a strong passion for advancing equity and helping others navigate complex systems. My studies in the Spanish language not only sharpened my communication skills, but also deepened my understanding of the unique challenges faced by Spanish-speaking individuals in the U.S, particularly when it comes to accessing support and essential services…

I am driven by the belief that everyone deserves to be heard, understood, and empowered. As I move forward in the field of immigration law, my goal is to be a bridge for those facing language and legal barriers, and to advocate for dignity, fairness, and inclusion in every interaction.”

Congratulations to all the recent School of World Studies graduates, we are so proud of our students and the different ways they are changing the world!