12 p.m.

The School of Public Health will host a Master of Public Health virtual informational session via Zoom. Join to learn more about the MPH program, now offered both online and in-person. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Katherine Peterman at petermankb@vcu.edu or visit https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/752NAvULTwObk8PQauXU0g.

5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Alpha Phi Omega invites you to one of the group's SpongeBob SquarePants–themed rush events focused on friendship and fun. Put your decorating skills to the test, snack on cookies and get to know the brothers in a low-pressure, welcoming setting. The event will be in the Metro Room of the University Student Commons, 907 Floyd Ave.

For more information, contact Emerson Hernandez-Barahona at hernandezbea@vcu.edu or (703) 581-8161 or visit https://www.instagram.com/apo_adi/.

6 p.m.

Medical Education and Research Mentorship (MERM) will host an Introduction to Research Workshop in the Multipurpose Room (1303) of the Honors College, 701 W. Grace St. This session, led by VCU medical students, will cover balancing coursework with research, how to find and reach out to principal investigators and exploring research opportunities at VCU. Those who attend will also have the opportunity to connect with current medical students. Questions: Contact merm.vcu@gmail.com.

For more information, contact Zyannah Mallick at mallickzn@vcu.edu.

Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Mindful Mornings is a free monthly series that pairs mindfulness practices with the architecture, landscape and exhibitions of the Institute for Contemporary Art at the Markel Center, 601 W. Broad St. Guided by designer and mindfulness practitioner Thurmond Alford Jr. and Michael Lease, Institute for Contemporary Art Director of Facilities + Experience Design, the series explores the link between nature, art and individual well-being. This month, participants will learn to use writing to increase awareness and reduce tension. All programs will begin in the ICA’s Abby Moore Café.

For more information, contact Michael Lease at leasemk@vcu.edu or (804) 200-8859 or visit https://icavcu.org/.

Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026 from noon to 1 p.m.

Bagels, lox and tefillin – the perfect combo for a Sunday. Kick off your week with a fresh bagel, classic lox and the mitzvah of tefillin – good for the soul and the stomach. The event, hosted by Jewish Life at VCU, will be held at 1003 Grove Ave.

For more information, contact Cal Lawson at lawsonca@vcu.edu or (804) 404-3637 or visit https://jewishvcu.org/about-us.

Monday, Jan. 26, 2026 at 1 p.m.

This interactive Zoom workshop will offer examples of strong, successful personal statements, as well as less successful ones, and give you the tools you need to write your best statement. Register at the following URL.

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

Monday, Jan. 26, 2026 from 8:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Join Alpha Phi Omega for a service-focused rush event inspired by SpongeBob’s love of helping others. Learn what the organization is all about while giving back alongside the brothers. The event will be in the Metro Room of the University Student Commons, 907 Floyd Ave.

For more information, contact Emerson Hernandez-Barahona at hernandezbea@vcu.edu or (703) 581-8161 or visit https://www.instagram.com/apo_adi/.

Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026 from noon to 1 p.m.

The Division of Community Engagement invites faculty interested in community-engaged research to register for an informational session on the Academic-Community Planning Grants. Learn how this opportunity supports meaningful partnerships with community collaborators, advances engaged scholarship, and ask questions about applying. Register at the following URL. The Zoom link is https://vcu.zoom.us/j/88414126359

For more information, contact Challen Wellington at wellingtonc@gmail.com or visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeLzZXtKj_d9uSPq3KXK5HTyW1gFrS37Mrye6TdRbEl3O1ktQ/viewform?usp=header.

Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026 from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.

VCU's Department of Focused Inquiry and the Global Education Office will host an informational session about a trip to Christ's College, University of Cambridge, to study place, culture and communication. The trip will be Sunday, July 19-Wednesday, Aug. 5. The informational session will be held in Room 5116, Grace E. Harris Hall, 1015 Floyd Ave. A second informational session will be held from 4-5 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 28 at the same location. Questions: Contact Michaux Dempster at the following email address, Meriah Crawford (crawfordml@vcu.edu) or Alex Heyden (levya@vcu.edu). Visit the following URL for information about financial aid and scholarships.

For more information, contact Michaux Dempster at dempsterm@vcu.edu or (804) 387-3981 or visit https://vcu.studioabroad.com/_portal/tds-program-brochure?programid=11672.

Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026 at 7 p.m.

Cheer for the VCU Men's Basketball team as they play the University of Richmond at the Stuart C. Siegel Center, 1200 W. Broad St. Secure your seats at the following URL.

For more information, contact Tavian Elliott at elliottt2@vcu.edu or visit https://vcutickets.evenue.net/event/B25/12.

Friday, Jan. 30, 2026 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

VCU's Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation internal funding team will offer a Zoom session at which researchers can ask questions about Request for Applications (RFAs) for the VCU Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Fund, VCU Momentum Fund and the VCU Quest Fund. Registration is required. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Gianna DeMarco at ovprifunds@vcu.edu or visit https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/ymoFufFqQfmJU9hT2kD5lA.

Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Interested in entering the advertising and branding industry? Learn more about the master's program at VCU Brandcenter, which combines the best of portfolio schools with the best of academic programs. The center's in-person open house, 103 S. Jefferson St., allows prospective students to tour its spaces and classrooms, meet the world-class faculty and speak with current students about life at the Brandcenter and recent projects. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Emma Barone at brandcenter@vcu.edu or visit https://connect.business.vcu.edu/register/open-house-feb-2026?utm_source=TelegRam.

Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

VCU's Activities Programming Board will host an event for students to bring and customize their own gear to show school spirit. The event will be held in the ballroom of the University Student Commons, 907 Floyd Ave. Students will be provided with iron-on patches, fabric paint and other design materials. The APB will provide a limited amount of hats, tote bags and shirts for students to decorate. Students are welcome to bring their own gear to decorate. Questions: Contact apb@vcu.edu or instagram.com/apb_vcu

For more information, contact Sensiere Thompkins-Harris at thompkinshs@vcu.edu.

VCU Work+ and the Student Employment Action Team and Advisory Group are accepting nominations for VCU’s 2026 Student Employee of the Year Award, recognizing some of the 3,000-plus student staff. Submissions will be accepted at the following URL until Friday, Jan. 30 at 5 p.m. Nominators can be staff, faculty or student coworkers. All student employees nominated will receive a digital certificate of recognition. The top nominees will be submitted at the national level with the chance to win up to $600, and the overall winner will be announced during National Student Employment Week, April 13-17.

For more information, contact Aimee Selleck at selleckap@vcu.edu or visit https://tinyurl.com/VCUSEOTY2026.

The Disability Advocacy and Accessibility Caucus, under the SGA, will have its first meeting of the semester next week. Fill out the when2meet at the following URL to plan a time to meet. The caucus is open to students, faculty and staff. The meeting will be hybrid with a Zoom option.

For more information, contact Shady Habib at habibs@vcu.edu or visit https://www.when2meet.com/?34325566-qSScj.

Ever wondered why the Mediterranean diet is one of the healthiest in the world? This summer, you can experience it firsthand – in Italy. This study abroad course will focus on how food, culture and science come together to promote health and longevity. You’ll have the opportunity to visit local farms, olive groves, markets and/or wineries while learning how traditional Italian food practices sustain healthy living. Eat, explore, and learn your way through Italy while earning academic credit and lifelong memories. The application deadline is Sunday, Feb. 15.

For more information, contact Jill Reid at jdreid@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.mediaspace.kaltura.com/media/Study+Abroad+-+Sorrento+Italy+Summer+2025/1_bifdml9w.

This research study is inviting individuals between the ages of 20 and 24 with poor sleep quality. The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of aerobic and resistance exercise on cardiovascular responses and vascular inflammation. 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 The KHS Healthy Heart Lab at healthyheart@vcu.edu

For more information, contact Garrett Oehlert at healthyheart@vcu.edu.

Redefining BMI is a research study at the VCU School of Public Health. Eligible participants will be randomly assigned to receive one of two programs to help manage their weight by making changes to eating and physical activity. Both programs involve attending virtual group-based sessions led by a trained lifestyle coach over the course of 12 months. This study also asks participants to attend in-person data collection visits before beginning the program, and then again at four, eight and 12 months.

For more information, contact Redefining BMI at bmiproject@vcu.edu or (804) 828-5362 or visit https://www.redefiningbmi.com/sign-up.html.