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Between Two Rams: Chats with Grant Heston

Understanding. Undaunted. Unreal. Unflappable.

These are just a few words that describe our team members at Enterprise Marketing and Communications. In our monthly video series, ”Between Two Rams,“ Vice President for EMC Grant Heston sits down for a chat with staff from across the division. You'll hear us tell our own uncommon stories: What we do in our roles at VCU and VCU Health, what we enjoy most about our jobs and what we're passionate about outside of work.

Aleixka Block Macfie

July 2024

Play Video: VCU Between Two Rams - Grant Heston with Aleixka Block Macfie - Grant Heston sits down with Aleixka Block Macfie to discuss all things RAMS

Sherri Brooks

June 2024

Play Video: Between 2 Rams - Grant Heston with Sherri Brooks - Welcome back to Between Two Rams! In this episode, Grant Heston, vice president of VCU’s Enterprise Marketing and Communications division, sits down with Sherri Brooks, VCU’s HR administrator. Sherri’s job is no small feat, as she supports seven departments in VCU, including EMC. Grant and Sherri discuss how there’s no typical day for an HR generalist, as the job can be anything from working on pay transactions to collaborating with managers to create job postings. Sherri has had an interesting career, working in the Virginia Retirement System and in various positions at VCU. In her current role, she enjoys working with and helping people. “I love to try to help people find solutions, whether it's the employee or it's the manager,” she says. Sherri and Grant also discuss the advice she’d give to others. “Just treat everyone like you want to be treated,” she suggests. “Everybody is going through something.” Grant asks Sherri what her “UNword” is, and she chooses “UNtraditional.” “I had a different path to get me to where I am in my career, and I try to think out of the box.” The pair wrap up with a special treat Sherri brought for Grant and the team - a honey bun cake! Sherri tells the team that it is her most requested treat, and can be enjoyed with anything from ice cream to a cup of coffee in the morning. Enjoy, everyone!

Corey Byers Standlick

June 2024

Play Video: Between Two Rams - Corey Byers Standlick - Grant Heston sits down with Corey Byers Standlick in this installment of Between Two Rams

Blake Belden

May 2024

Play Video: Between Two Rams - Blake Belden - Welcome to the first episode of the award-winning show "Between Two Rams"! In this episode, Grant Heston, vice president of VCU’s Enterprise Marketing and Communications division, sits down with Blake Belden, PR specialist for the VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center. Blake has been in his dynamic role at Massy for 9 years, and the tremendous patient care and passionate researchers keep him coming back for more. Blake tells Grant that one of his favorite experiences at Massey has been writing an article about founding director Dr. Walter Lawrence Jr. “When he passed away we wanted to give him a good tribute,” Blake said. After the piece was finished, “It was very rewarding, and the family said they were very grateful.” Blake also touches on Massey’s prestigious Comprehensive Cancer Center status, the highest designation a cancer center can receive. The status means Massey is in the top 4% of cancer centers nationwide, and is a leader in cancer research, care and education. Blake and Grant end their chat with tacos. “I go where the taco brings me,” Blake said, and the pair discuss how Blake is “UNdaunted” in both his personal and professional life.

Eric Hart

April 2024

Play Video: Between Two Rams - Eric Hart - Welcome back to another episode of Between Two Rams! This time, Grant Heston, vice president of VCU’s Enterprise Marketing and Communications division, catches up with Eric Hart, director of trademark licensing. Eric works to license any physical representations of the VCU brand on merchandise. In his job, Eric pays attention to both quantity and quality. “I try to come at it from a standpoint of how does this merchandise fit with our overall brand and our story that we're trying to tell,” Eric says, adding that the main goal is to create reasons for consumers to buy VCU branded products. One way he does this is by creating locally relevant products that showcase things about Richmond, like rafting on the James river. Grant and Eric also discuss how VCU ranks in the top five for merchandise sales for institutions that do not have a football team. Grant says, “That's a pretty good place to be!” Eric tells Grant his “UNword” is “UNderstanding,” as it relates to VCU’s merchandise consumers. Eric says this often means “being understanding when I get told no in some cases because hey, that doesn't make sense right now for the brand.” The pair finish with Eric’s favorite hobby - karaoke. Grant tells Eric he’s heard he’s a great singer, and Eric says “I don't know who you heard that from, but I can assure you that is not the case!” The two belt out lyrics to a tried and true favorite, Sweet Caroline, with Grant’s singing voice really stealing the show.

Danielle Pierce

March 2024

Play Video: Between Two Rams - Danielle Pierce - Vice president Grant Heston talks with Danielle Pierce from the Enterprise Marketing and Communications division at VCU and VCU Health about their jobs and outside interests.

Whitney Highlander

February 2024

Play Video: Between Two Rams - Whitney Highlander - Welcome back to Between Two Rams with VCU’s Grant Heston, vice president of VCU’s Enterprise Marketing and Communications division! In this episode, Grant catches up with Whitney Highlander, senior project manager for VCU Brand Marketing. Whitney tells Grant that she grew up doing competitive cheerleading, and even placed first in the Junior Division at Nationals in Myrtle Beach. Today, Whitney gets to experience cheer through her daughter, and says the sport instilled the work ethic she brings to her role at VCU. In her role as Senior Project Manager, Whitney creates a high-level roadmap for her team. No day is typical. “The shift always focuses on that goal for the week. So each day is different, and I do love that about my job,” Whitney says. She also loves helping different groups collaborate on a project and watching everything come together. Whitney also shares her “UNword,” “UNlimited,” and how it impacts her work at VCU. “Just the potential, the growth, it's UNlimited here, and I'm really happy to be a part of it all.” Grant and Whitney end their chat in the only way possible - a cheer! “Can you promise me no injuries?” Grant asks, and Whitney says she’ll do her best. In the end, Whitney shows Grant how to share his VCU spirit!

Nicole Brown

January 2024

Play Video: Between Two Rams - Nicole Brown - Vice president Grant Heston talks with colleagues from the Enterprise Marketing and Communications division at VCU and VCU Health about their jobs and outside interests.

Chelyen Davis

November 2023

Play Video: Between Two Rams - Chelyen Davis - Vice president Grant Heston talks with colleagues from the Enterprise Marketing and Communications division at VCU and VCU Health about their jobs and outside interests.

Amy Lacey

October 2023

Play Video: Between Two Rams - Amy Lacey - Vice president Grant Heston talks with colleagues from the Enterprise Marketing and Communications division at VCU and VCU Health about their jobs and outside interests.

Nathan Hanger

August 2023

Play Video: Between Two Rams - Nathan Hanger - Vice president Grant Heston talks with colleagues from the Enterprise Marketing and Communications division at VCU and VCU Health about their jobs and outside interests.

Carrie Carroll

July 2023

Play Video: Between Two Rams - Carrie Carroll - Welcome back to the one and only beach-themed episode of Between Two Rams! This time, Grant Heston, vice president of VCU’s Enterprise Marketing and Communications division, chills out with Carrie Carroll, Senior Communications Specialist for VCU Health. We’re diving into Carrie's passion for sunny getaways and how it inspires her life and work! After sharing her love for beach themed vacations, Carrie tells Grant that one of her main responsibilities in her position is managing the VCU Health internet, the “source of truth” for her team members. There is no typical day, but one of Carrie’s favorite things is creating new web pages for departments, since it’s like putting a puzzle together. Carrie reveals that she works well on a deadline, as everything seems to “click into place.” Grant tells Carrie that “deadlines are highly underrated in terms of how we use them.” Grant and Carrie wrap up by discussing her “UNword” – “UNdaunted”! “I am undaunted by a lot of things,” she says. “You just kind of keep going, you just put one foot in front of the other, and just keep swimming.” What a way to end a day at the beach!

Eliana Grijalva

June 2023

Play Video: Between Two Rams - Eliana Grijalva - Welcome back to Between Two Rams with Grant Heston, vice president of VCU’s Enterprise Marketing and Communications division! In this episode, Grant sits down with Eliana Grijalva, executive events coordinator for VCU. Working in the dynamic and fast-paced world of events can be daunting, but Eliana says her favorite part of the job is taking care of people. “If I can see someone and either fix an issue, get them something they need, or just make them feel a little bit more comfortable in the moment, that’s the most rewarding part for me and that makes my job worthwhile.” Eliana discusses the challenges and rewards of managing multiple events, such as coordinating the balloon drop at commencement. Although she’s afraid of heights, Eliana ensured a successful balloon drop – and the rest is black and gold history! We also have a special guest this episode, Eliana’s one-year-old puppy, playfully nicknamed “Cinnamon Toast Crunch,” or “Crunch” for short. Crunch was even a part of the “UNcommon” brand launch, and shows his VCU pride in this video! Grant and Eliana wrap up their chat by discussing her “UN-word.” “I wanted to make mine a little bit aspirational,” she says, adding that she’s working towards being “UNdaunted.” “I want to get to a point where if it's a new big adventure, if it's a good project that we're about to start, even if it's seemingly a challenge that is impossible, you just get rid of the ‘daunt’ and just say, where do I jump in?”

Ryan Knight

May 2023

Play Video: Between Two Rams - Ryan Knight - Vice president Grant Heston talks with colleagues from the Enterprise Marketing and Communications division at VCU and VCU Health about their jobs and outside interests.

Michele Howell

April 2023

Play Video: Between Two Rams - Michele Howell - Vice president Grant Heston talks with colleagues from the Enterprise Marketing and Communications division at VCU and VCU Health about their jobs and outside interests.

Katherine Poarch

March 2023

Play Video: Between Two Rams - Katherine Poarch - Vice president Grant Heston talks with colleagues from the Enterprise Marketing and Communications division at VCU and VCU Health about their jobs and outside interests.

Kenda Boone

February 2023

Play Video: Between Two Rams - Kenda Boone - Welcome back to another exciting episode of Between Two Rams with Grant Heston, vice president of VCU’s Enterprise Marketing and Communications division! Today, we're thrilled to have Kenda Boone, the Director of Social Media Content at VCU, sit down with Grant for a lively conversation about the ever-evolving world of social media. Kenda shares with Grant that there is no typical day in social media, which can range from brainstorming creative content ideas to navigating negativity. “I like to use a lot of empathy because I think in social we want to move so fast, but we really need to find the root of what's going on,” Kenda says. Kenda opens up about what makes her happiest at work—transforming familiar topics into fresh, engaging content that connects with the audience in unexpected ways. She also discusses the importance of self-care for maintaining creativity and how her morning routine of yoga, meditation, and journaling sets her up for success. We learn about Kenda's journey from hosting a morning radio show called "Morning Joy" in college to leading a team in a fast-paced digital environment. She talks about her family life, the humor her husband and children bring, and the joys of "conscious parenting." Finally, Kenda shares her "UNword": UNdaunted. “I see everything that comes at us as a challenge and something that we can overcome if we have the right tools, which we do.”

Taylor MacKillop

January 2023

Play Video: Between Two Rams - Taylor MacKillop - Vice president Grant Heston talks with colleagues from the Enterprise Marketing and Communications division at VCU and VCU Health about their jobs and outside interests.