MCV Campus student Rajheik Ibar and Monroe Park student Amany Bouali are 2025 recipients of the Friends of VCU Libraries scholarship. Ibar is a nursing student who plans to graduate in December 2025 and Bouali is a finance major student who plans to graduate in 2026.

The Friends of VCU Libraries Scholarships support one student on the Monroe Park Campus with a grade point average of 2.5 or higher and one student from the MCV Campus, who is either a junior or a senior or who is a graduate student with a bachelor’s degree from VCU and a GPA of 2.5 or higher. The scholarship fund is a fundraising priority for VCU Libraries in the new Unlocking Potential campaign. This scholarship is unique in that the money can be applied to any need related to enrollment in VCU. In addition to tuition or other fees, books, supplies, technology, the funds can be applied to housing, groceries, and other living expenses.

In their applications for consideration, both recipients wrote eloquently about the impact of the libraries on their academic achievement. “The librarians’ approachability and commitment to helping students succeed have made me feel welcome, understood, and uplifted,” Ibar wrote. "As a nursing student at Virginia Commonwealth University, VCU Libraries have been an essential pillar of my academic journey, personal growth, and professional development. Far beyond just a physical space for studying, the library system has offered tools, resources, and guidance that have shaped me into a more confident, capable, and service-driven student nurse.”

He specifically mentioned the importance of access to databases such as CINAHL, PubMed, and Cochrane Library. “These resources have enabled me to build a strong foundation in evidence-based nursing practice, a cornerstone of quality patient care. From composing care plans to preparing for clinical rotations, these databases have helped me remain informed and critically engaged with current research. … During a group project on central line-associated bloodstream infections in pediatric oncology patients, my team utilized VCU Libraries’ nursing research guides and database access to locate clinical guidelines and up-to-date evidence. With the help of subject-specific librarians, we refined our search strategies, strengthened our arguments, and presented our findings with clarity and confidence.”

Both recipients also attested to the importance of the physical learning environment the libraries provide along with technology provided and free workshops. “As someone balancing academics, work, and community service, these supports have been indispensable,” Rajheik Ibar said.   

In her application, Bouali offered one clear example of how the libraries not only contributed to her academic performance but helped her weather a personal storm. She wrote: 

"One week into my first semester at VCU, my mother suddenly passed away. After attending her funeral abroad, I returned to campus with a month’s worth of missed classes to catch up on. The biggest challenge was my Honors rhetoric class, where we were in the middle of writing a large research paper. With this new emotional toll on me, I knew I had to put in extra effort to catch up, but I wasn’t sure how to handle the workload.”

“VCU Libraries proved critical in my success in class. I regularly met with the research librarian, whose expertise helped me navigate my topic and refine my research process. The librarian not only pointed me to invaluable resources but also helped me structure my paper in a way that felt manageable. With the librarian’s guidance and my determination to stay on top of my coursework, I slowly built confidence in my ability to catch up.”

“By the end of the semester, I felt like an expert on my topic. My professor noticed my hard work and resilience, especially given the circumstances” and later asked her to serve as the head teacher’s assistant for the class. In this role, she led a team of six teachers’s assistants and created workshops to support students with their research. 

According to her application, “The VCU Libraries resources were critical to my success. The support I received allowed me to not only meet academic challenges head-on but also transform a difficult situation into an opportunity to grow. The librarians’ support and tools empowered me to succeed despite not even knowing where to start.  … The library has played a pivotal role in my academic journey, and I’m grateful for the resources and mentorship that helped me persevere through a difficult time. VCU Libraries fostered a community of care and success for me, which has made all the difference in my educational experience.”