10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.

Curious about collaborating across majors? Want to tackle big problems or launch your own venture? Discover how a da Vinci Center undergraduate certificate can help — register for a virtual session at the following URL.

For more information, contact da Vinci Center at davincicenter@vcu.edu or visit https://connect.business.vcu.edu/register/UG-Info-06-13.

Monday, Jun. 16, 2025 at 1 p.m.

Learn about the tools you need to write your best personal statement at a workshop featuring examples of strong, successful statements as well as less successful ones. Register for the Zoom link at the following URL.

For more information, contact Trey Burnart Hall at hallbr@vcu.edu or visit https://writing.vcu.edu/calendar/.

Monday, Jun. 16, 2025 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Come learn how to grow your own food with Malique Middleton, entrepreneur in residence at the Health Hub, 1330 N. 25th St. This month's Gardening 102 Workshop will be about vermiculture: worm composting at home. The session will have a short talk about vermiculture, its benefits and how to set up your own bins.

For more information, contact Malique Middleton at middletonme3@vcu.edu.

Tuesday, Jun. 17, 2025 from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Massey’s Community Outreach and Engagement team actively welcomes new opportunities to reach communities in ways that make sense for them — by meeting them where they are to make sure community members know the basic information about cancer prevention and care. This includes when to be screened, fundamental preventive steps they can take to reduce their risk and general knowledge of the programs and services Massey offers. As Massey continues to grow and serve the community, requests for in-person opportunities increase. That’s where Massey's program for core volunteers comes in. Volunteers will be trained on cancer screening guidelines, take a deep dive into Massey community-based programs and shadow staff members who model best practices for outreach and engagement. Volunteers will also be able to learn from and engage clinical staff and providers, researchers and other experts across a number of cancer-related fields through monthly volunteer engagement sessions. The June 17 training session will be hybrid. Register at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdRUhgaqKqk7wIt8BqpvallyutBFx38zM9RoKYVub4cLfLOzA/viewform Questions: Schedule a brief meeting before you attend training at https://calendly.com/gesmem/core-volunteer-program-meet-and-greet?month=2025-05&date=2025-05-16

For more information, contact Michael Gesme at gesmem@vcu.edu or (804) 628-0896 or visit https://www.masseycancercenter.org/community-outreach-and-engagement/.

Wednesday, Jun. 18, 2025 at noon

Shannon Pierce, president and CEO of Virginia Natural Gas, will discuss the ways industries can support the transformative power of education and job readiness. The presentation will be part of the Lunch and Learn series hosted by VCU's L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs. Pierce will share insights on how Virginia Natural Gas has partnered with educational institutions and community organizations by fostering economic growth and enhancing the quality of life for the areas they serve. The talk will be moderated by Jason Burkett, Wilder School senior research consultant. Register for the Zoom link at the following URL.

For more information, contact David Slipher at slipherd@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_qQTZZeDcQruQxRpFtxOUog#/registration.

Wednesday, Jun. 18, 2025 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Want to learn more about the No. 1 graduate program for advertising and branding in the U.S.? Join us for a virtual informational session — like a Brandcenter 101 — to learn about how we develop the most prominent thinkers and creatives in the industry. We’ll chat about our program, our four concentrations (art direction, copywriting, creative brand management and strategy), the admission process and more. The Brandcenter is still accepting applications for Fall 2025 entry. Register for the Zoom link at the following URL.

For more information, contact Brandcenter Admissions at brandcenter@vcu.edu or (804) 828-8384 or visit https://connect.business.vcu.edu/register/Info-Session-June-2025?utm_source=TelegRam.

Friday, Jun. 20, 2025 from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.

VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center will host Natasha Clingempeel, N.P., ANCC, certified nurse practitioner, who will lead an online discussion about how obesity can impact the risks for cancer. Learn about GLP-1s and VCU's weight loss program. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Rachel Pierce at piercer2@vcu.edu or visit https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAlce6sqT8rEtSnqo4cYE4eHJwca-NghmLM#/registration.

Saturday, Jun. 21, 2025 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

VCU P.A.T.H.S. (Promoting Access To Health Sciences) will hold a community wellness fair featuring wellness checks including blood pressure, dental health, foot care and more. The event will be at VCU Health at 25th, 1330 N. 25th St. Refreshments will be available.

For more information, contact VCU PATHS at dsei@vcu.edu or (804) 827-0982.

Ram Pantry has announced a recall of Dinty Moore beef stew with a February 2028 expiration date. The recall has been issued due to a potential contamination. Consuming this product may pose a health risk. Cans of the stew with a February 2028 expiration date should be returned to the Ram Pantry/Little Ram Pantry for exchange or discarded. Do not donate this item ro other food pantries.

For more information, contact Brooks Baker at rampantry@vcu.edu or visit https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/hormel-foods-corporation-recalls-canned-beef-stew-product-due-possible-foreign.

We’re seeking six professors to join the Community-Engaged Research Scholars Collaborative (CERSC) — a new opportunity to deepen your practice in community-engaged research (CEnR), connect across disciplines and receive community-engaged mentorship. A $500 stipend is available. Apply by Sunday, June 15 at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSecEyKjABgtZJ7w3f3RztxRqtSiYVPsD3mZEEUiWtWx4sZkhg/viewform Questions: Visit: https://community.vcu.edu/facultystaff/community-engaged-research/cersc/

For more information, contact Lorielle Bouldin at bouldinln@vcu.edu.

Would you like to connect with new and returning Rams at the start of the new academic year? Does your department/office have an event to include in the Weeks of Welcome 2025 RamsConnect calendar? If so, complete the form at the following URL by 11:55 p.m. Tuesday, July 15. Inspired by fan conventions like DreamCon and Comic-Con, Rodney-Con transforms Weeks of Welcome into a con-style celebration of VCU spirit, creativity, and connection. This theme invites students, especially new and transfer students, to step into the spotlight and begin their VCU journey by exploring campus life, forming meaningful connections and discovering where they belong in the Ram community. Questions: Email Bria Taylor at the following address or Lisa Cooper at lcooper4@vcu.edu

For more information, contact Bria Taylor at taylorbc@vcu.edu or visit https://cglink.me/2dV/s82257.

VCU will offer Introduction to Conversational Spanish I and II (online, one-credit courses) this fall for individuals at any level (Aug. 26-Dec. 12). VCU and VCU Health employees may be eligible to use tuition benefits; employees should check with their HR representative to confirm eligibility. Courses are offered in collaboration with VCU Continuing and Professional Education and the VCU School of World Studies. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Shelly Schuetz at ssschuetz@vcu.edu or visit http://ocpe.vcu.edu/languages.

By Monday, June 30, all RamPages users will need to transition their content due to security and compliance issues. Suggestions based on the type of RamsPages content you manage can be found here: https://rampages.us/ Questions: Visit the following URL.

For more information, contact Matt Roberts at mdroberts@vcu.edu or visit https://go.vcu.edu/ramscentral.

Individuals between the ages of 18 and 30 who identify as Black or African American are invited to participate in a research study examining the effect of acute and chronic stress on cardiovascular and inflammation responses to an acute mental challenge. Raffle drawings for financial compensation will be conducted. This study will take place at 500 Academic Centre on VCU’s Monroe Park Campus. Principal Investigator: Lee Franco, Ph.D., Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences.

For more information, contact Jeremy Via at healthyheart@vcu.edu.

This study is inviting individuals between the ages of 18 and 30 who identify as LGBTQ. We are also inviting individuals between the ages of 18 and 30 who identify as cis-gender heterosexual for the control group. The purpose of this research study is to examine the effect of chronic psychosocial stress and vascular inflammation to an acute mental challenge. This study will be conducted at 500 Academic Centre on VCU’s Monroe Park Campus. Principal Investigator: Lee Franco, Ph.D., Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences.

For more information, contact Jeremy Via at healthyheart@vcu.edu.