Milestones: Aug. 18, 2026
Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger recently announced the following appointments to her administration: Task Force for the Identification of the History of Formerly Enslaved African Americans in Virginia – Michelle Evans Oliver of Henrico, public historian, financial historian and preservation strategist at Genconcepts, LLC; Cave Board – Graham Montrose of Henrico, conservationist at Capital Region Land Conservancy; State Board of Social Services – Cassandra Willis, Ph.D. of Glen Allen, principal at Montrose Elementary School; Joint Advisory Board of Economists (JABE) – Dr. Oleg Korenok of Henrico, professor of economics at VCU; and Governor’s Advisory Council on Revenue Estimates (GACRE) – Keyanna Conner of Henrico, managing director at Deloitte Consulting LLP; Laura Lafayette of Henrico, chief executive officer at Richmond Association of Realtors; and Neil Amin of Henrico, chief executive officer at Shamin Hotels.
Zakiyyah Foster-Rasheed of Highland Springs High School was one of 10 winners statewide in the Virginia Council on Women’s 15th Annual STEAM-H (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics, and Healthcare) Essay Contest. Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger and First Gentleman Adam Spanberger hosted the contest winners at the Executive Mansion this month in Richmond. The Virginia Council on Women established the contest in 2012 to award scholarships to high school junior and senior girls planning to pursue STEAM-H careers at institutions of higher education, including four-year colleges and universities, community colleges, and career and technical schools. This year, more than 300 young women statewide submitted essays about why they want to pursue a STEAM-H career. To date, the Council has awarded more than $225,000 in scholarships through this annual essay contest.
Everett Garner of Henrico was named to the spring 2026 dean’s list at Simmons University in Massachusetts. To qualify for this honor, students taking at least 12 credit hours must earn a semester grade point average of 3.5 or higher.
Wilson College student Jalen Pierce of Glen Allen was named a United East Scholar Athlete by the Division III United East Conference for the Winter and Spring 2026 seasons. To earn Winter and Spring All-Academic Team recognition, a student-athlete competing in a United East-sponsored winter or spring sport must achieve a minimum 3.2 grade point average during the winter and spring semesters and remain in good standing with their team. Pierce, a Collegiate School graduate, played on the men’s basketball team at Wilson.
