P. Srirama Rao, Ph.D. vice president, VCU Research and Innovation, will give the State of the Research address in the Richmond Salons, University Student Commons, 907 Floyd Ave. The talk will kick off VCU Research Weeks 2024: UNlimited Impact. Rao will present the current and future state of research, creativity and innovation at VCU. A reception will follow. Registration is required. Register at the following URL. For more information, contact Emily Komornik at komornikea@vcu.edu or visit https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/6bc854f5bfb04632affa7d2e06a8ea0d.

Take a brain break to relax and move your body. This 30-minute virtual class, brought to you by VCU HR and RecWell, will help you practice noticing and releasing tension with gentle movement and stretching that can be done at your desk. This mindful movement class is suitable for all levels of practice. Register in Talent@VCU or at: https://bit.ly/3IVrjYo For more information, contact Cindi Phares at cphares@vcu.edu or visit https://ramstrong.vcu.edu/events/upcoming-events-for-employees/.

All managers of one or more staff members are invited to attend a VCU HR Manager Town Hall via Zoom. Hear more about VCU HR’s Culture of Care and Appreciation work, share resources and feedback and build relationships that will help better support managers and all VCU employees. Register no later than 2 p.m. Friday, April 5 in Talent@VCU at the following URL. For more information, contact Carol Ann Lawson at lawsonca3@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.csod.com/ui/lms-learning-details/app/event/08db00e4-6e7e-44ab-aa39-40654cf372a0.

Understanding childhood development is critical to supporting young children with disabilities. Learn more about how to be the change in a child's life today. The School of Education's early childhood concentration prepares individuals to work with families and young children, from birth through age 5, with and at risk for developmental disabilities. Using a hybrid of online and face-to-face formats, the program is learner-centered, innovative and collaborative. For more information, contact Brandon Norris at norrisbs@vcu.edu or visit https://connect.soe.vcu.edu/register/SPEarly24.

When should you start saving for retirement? Now is a good time. As you begin your career, retirement should be something you save for along the way. Join VCU HR and MissionSquare Retirement to learn about designing a budget, why you should start saving now and the basics of investing. Register in Talent@VCU or at: https://bit.ly/4ab6zaL For more information, contact Cindi Phares at cphares@vcu.edu or visit https://ramstrong.vcu.edu/events/upcoming-events-for-employees/.

VCU's Humanities Research Center will present "Claiming Space," with Jennifer Bickham Mendez, Ph.D., which will chronicle the journey of Latin American immigrants as they and their families struggled to claim space and belonging in Williamsburg, including in the arena of health care and public services, housing and public schools. The session will be in the Commons Theater, University Student Commons, 907 Floyd Ave. Register at the following URL. For more information, contact Rani Sisavath at sisavathr@vcu.edu or visit https://bit.ly/jbm0411.

Are you planning on leading a study abroad or domestic study away trip or are you interested in learning more about how to get started for the 2024-25 school year? Join Global Education staff for its proposal application launch event to learn about the next steps. All group travel must be facilitated by GEO, see the new university wide policy. The session will be in the sixth floor conference room, 912 w. Grace St. For more information, contact Amy Leap at leapae@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.studioabroad.com/index.cfm?FuseAction=Abroad.ViewLink&Parent_ID=3548CF7D-5056-BA1F-73F265C73B799D81&Link_ID=35F74645-5056-BA1F-73456E5D544E851D.

The VCU and VCU Health communities are invited to attend the 2024 Presidential Awards for Community Multicultural Enrichment. Loren Melton Glasper, granddaughter of Herman D. Melton, Sr. will present the Riese-Melton Award. The ceremony will be in the Richmond Salons, University Student Commons. 907 Floyd Ave. RSVP at the following URL. For more information, contact Corey Martin at inclusive@vcu.edu or visit https://forms.gle/AC5raf5DoMu7jKRo8.

VCU's School of World Studies will sponsor a Sweet Language Lounge at Shift Retail Lab, 1235 W. Broad St. Experience language and culture in a relaxed, interactive atmosphere. The session will feature VCU student talent in Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Russian and Spanish, along with international desserts and sweets. For more information, contact Natalia Boykova at nvboykova@vcu.edu.

VCU's Office of the Provost, Faculty Affairs, will host Presidential Professor Teresa Sullivan, Ph.D., the first female president at the University of Virginia, for a talk on “Leading in Calm and in Chaos” for faculty and staff. The talk will be in Room 303, James Branch Cabell Library, 901 Park Ave. Register at the following URL. For more information, contact Jordyn Richardson at richardsonj9@vcu.edu or visit https://forms.gle/gXTSxrdGLkLL4WQC7.

The Health Humanities Lab at the Humanities Research Center will host a mini-symposium on research related to the East Marshall Street Well Project. The program, which will be held in the lobby and Room 2104, Academic Learning Commons, 1000 Floyd Ave., will include panel presentations, lunch and poster sessions. For more on the well project, visit https://emsw.vcu.edu/ For more on the oral history and memorialization project, visit https://humanitiescenter.vcu.edu/labs/health-humanities-lab/emswp-oral-history-and-memorialization/ Register at https://bit.ly/hh0427 For more information, contact Chris Cynn at cjcynn@vcu.edu or (347) 645-9622 or visit https://humanitiescenter.vcu.edu/labs/health-humanities-lab/.