Grant Heston 9/1/25 Grant Heston 9/1/25

Boards Must Lead the Research Story. Here’s How

Governing boards and executive leaders of institutions with research missions must make research a central part of their story, and insist that story be told clearly, consistently, and compellingly.

Grant Heston 7/30/25 Grant Heston 7/30/25

Proudly VCU: A Brand You Can See and Feel

Branding your campus is an important, yet sometimes underappreciated, element of building your institution’s identity. At Virginia Commonwealth University, we’re intentional about finding creative ways to showcase the brand, ensuring that our on-campus and near-campus audiences experience who we are the moment they step onto our grounds.

Grant Heston 5/12/25 Grant Heston 5/12/25

Can You Handle the Truth (About Your Brand)?

Too often, branding myths prevent universities from creating and investing in their brands in ways that influence outcomes.

Grant Heston 1/21/25 Grant Heston 1/21/25

VCU’s Brand: Built with Art and Science

As the headline says, brand building is art and science … and I've always been attracted to the science part, the data. That's why the results of our recent independent survey of Richmond-area residents about Virginia Commonwealth University are so exciting.

Grant Heston 1/3/25 Grant Heston 1/3/25

Big, Bold and Gold at VCU

At VCU, we’re proud of the sophisticated, data-informed work we do every day to grow and protect one of the nation’s most innovative public university brands. But every now and then, it’s the simple things that make the biggest impact.

Grant Heston 2/20/24 Grant Heston 2/20/24

A Surprise I’ve Never Forgotten

A year ago today (on President’s Day, fittingly), my friend and mentor, longtime UCF President John Hitt, passed away at age 82. This is one of my favorite UCF photos and Dr. Hitt stories.

Grant Heston 1/22/24 Grant Heston 1/22/24

When Coaching and the Boss Call

This photo recently popped up as a Facebook memory from when I coached Little League baseball and softball for my son and daughter. To get to practices and games with enough time to set up, I’d leave the office at 3 p.m. twice a week.

Grant Heston 1/16/24 Grant Heston 1/16/24

The Peril of Open Doors

One recent evening, my wife, brother and I decided to go to dinner. After we walked into our garage to get into the car, three things happened. None of them were good, it turned out.

GRANT J. HESTON