Faculty/staff Issue for May 13, 2026
Today
Research Impact in the Community With Elizabeth Prom-Wormley, Ph.D., and Melanie Bean, Ph.D.
1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Join VCU's C. Kenneth and Dianne Wright Center for Clinical and Translational Research for the next installment via Zoom of the Research Impact Series: Research Impact in the Community. Gain insights from two VCU leaders, Melanie K. Bean, Ph.D., L.C.P., and Elizabeth Chin Prom-Wormley, Ph.D., M.P.H. Register at the following URL.
For more information, contact Andrea Molzhon, Ph.D.. at molzhonar@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.zoom.us/meeting/register/i3cRDvGVSWCATvlzbZHscQ#/registration.
Evening MBA Informational Webinar
12 p.m.
Learn more about the flexibility of VCU's Evening MBA program at a webinar hosted by the School of Business. This online presentation will provide an overview of program formats (which include online, on-campus, or a blend of both), curriculum and the admissions process. No registration is required – join via Zoom link.
For more information, contact Evan Torpy at torpyec@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.zoom.us/j/89842838155.
Wednesday Walks With the Health Hub
12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
Looking for a group that allows you to connect with others and nature and also improves your health? The Health Hub hosts Wednesday Walks, which provide the opportunity for a walk in Church Hill. Each walk will begin and end at the Health Hub, 1330 N. 25th St., Suite A, and visits different parts of the neighborhood.
For more information, contact VCU Health Hub at vcuhealthhub@vcu.edu.
Executive MBA Informational Session
5:30 p.m.
Join the School of Business for an informational webinar to explore how the 20-month Executive MBA Program can elevate your career. Learn about the curriculum, weekend schedule (that includes in-person and online courses), cohort experience and application process. No registration is required – join via the following Zoom link.
For more information, contact Butch Sarma at mksarma@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.zoom.us/j/89444494036.
This week
Importing, Structuring and Preparing Data for Analysis
Thursday, May 14, 2026 from noon to 1:30 p.m.
VCU's C. Kenneth and Dianne Wright Center for Clinical and Translational Research will present a lunch research seminar via Zoom. Nuha Farhat, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Mathematics and Economics, Virginia State University, will provide hands-on instruction in importing datasets and understanding data structure in a research context. The session will cover organizing variables, selecting and sub-setting data and performing basic transformations to prepare datasets for analysis. Register at the following URL.
For more information, contact Pamela Dillon, Pharm.D., research liaison, at pmdillon@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.zoom.us/meeting/register/7vnv6e_zRxa02dOTYLWr-g.
Excellence in Community Engagement Awards Ceremony
Thursday, May 14, 2026 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
The Division of Community Engagement at VCU invites you to attend the Excellence in Community Engagement Ceremony, an evening dedicated to honoring individuals, teams and community partners who have made a meaningful impact through collaboration and service. Hosted by the Council for Community Engagement, this special event at 900 E. Leigh St. will celebrate those who exemplify a strong commitment to addressing societal challenges through teaching, research and community-focused initiatives. Those who attend will have the opportunity to recognize and applaud outstanding achievements across multiple award categories while connecting with others passionate about community engagement.
For more information, contact Misti Mueller at muellermr@vcu.edu.
Advancing Health and Healing Across Traditions – HPV Cancer Prevention, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Jewish Family Services of Richmond
Friday, May 15, 2026 from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Join Facts and Faith Fridays conversation to explore the vital work of the HPV Cancer Prevention Program at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Learn about the innovative education materials and family‑centered resources designed to help children and their caregivers make informed decisions about their health and cancer prevention. The session will also highlight the 175‑year legacy of the Jewish Family Services of Richmond, an organization that has long provided compassionate guidance and support to individuals and families of all ages, faiths and income levels. Through their counseling, care services and adoption programs, JFS continues to strengthen well‑being and foster healing across traditions in the community. Register at https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAlce6sqT8rEtSnqo4cYE4eHJwca-NghmLM#/registration
For more information, contact Rachel Pierce at piercer2@vcu.edu or visit https://www.masseycancercenter.org/facts-and-faith-fridays/.
Mindful Mornings: Glenstone
Saturday, May 16, 2026 from noon to 5 p.m.
Glenstone is a private museum located outside Washington, D.C., at 12100 Glen Road, Potomac, Md., where contemporary art, architecture and nature converge. The space is designed to help visitors slow down and engage directly with the environment and the permanent collection. Join mindfulness practitioner and designer Thurmond Alford Jr. and Michael Lease, ICA director of facilities and experience design, for a field trip to this site. The visit begins with a brief session on observational walking and landscape photography, framing the camera as a tool for contemplation. Following this introduction, participants will have several hours of self-guided time to practice these techniques and explore the museum’s pavilions and trails. Entry is free but requires a timed ticket; the VCU visit is scheduled for noon. Photography is permitted on the grounds and throughout the landscape only. Participants are responsible for their own transportation to and from the museum; consider carpooling. RSVP: Limited to 20 spots. Registration is required via eTix at the following URL.
For more information, contact Michael Lease at leasemk@vcu.edu or visit https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/89682028/mindful-morningsglenstone-richmond-institute-for-contemporary-art-at-vcu.
Coming up
Reluctant Revolutionaries: From Loyal Subjects to Fledgling Citizens
Monday, May 18, 2026 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Sarah Hand Meacham, Ph.D., wil explore the surprising loyalty of many colonial Americans before the Declaration of Independence in a webinar via Zoom. Despite 15 months of open warfare, many American colonists remained proud subjects of Britain. This lecture examines the social, political and psychological forces that made rebellion unlikely, what ultimately pushed colonists toward independence, and the limited immediate changes that followed. Meacham is an Associate Professor and Associate Chair of the Department of History in the College of Humanities and Sciences at VCU. Register at the following URL.
For more information, contact Marcus Messner at mmessner@vcu.edu or visit https://bit.ly/4vVBbs7.
Guided Meditation
Tuesday, May 19, 2026 at noon
Take a break from the noise to find a quiet reflection in the middle of your day with this virtual guided meditation. This meditation, brought to you by VCU HR and RecWell, is suitable for all levels of practice. Register in Talent@VCU or at: https://bit.ly/3QraqLZ
For more information, contact Cindi Phares at cphares@vcu.edu or visit https://hr.vcu.edu/worklife-at-vcu/employee-events/.
RSVP for the School of Medicine Staff Distinction Awards on May 20
Wednesday, May 20, 2026 from noon to 2 p.m.
Celebrate with your School of Medicine colleagues at the Staff Distinction Awards. The event will be held in the Bruce Oliver Tucker Auditorium, James W. and Frances G. McGlothlin Medical Education Center, MMEC, 1201 E. Marshall St. The awards ceremony will be noon-1 p.m. a catered reception will follow from 1-2 p.m. RSVP at the following URL.
For more information, contact Breydon Horton at breydon.horton@vcuhealth.org or visit https://forms.office.com/r/YU9uVM6FJt.
Clinical Trials Day at the Wright Center
Wednesday, May 20, 2026 from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
On Wednesday, May 20, in honor of Clinical Trials Day, VCU's C. Kenneth and Dianne Wright Center for Clinical and Translational Research will host a breakfast appreciation open house for Clinical Research Professionals (CRP) and students interested in the CRP workforce pathway. Come for breakfast, a coffee bar, prizes and giveaways. In 60 seconds share your "why" at the Wright Center video story booth. The event will be at the Richmond Academy of Medicine Building, 1200 E. Clay St.
For more information, contact Shirley Helm, M.S., CCRP at cctrtwdp@vcu.edu.
Graduate Student Summer Book Club: The 2-Hour Job Search
Tuesday, May 26, 2026 from noon to 1 p.m.
Turn your job search panic into a proven, step-by-step system. Walk away with a targeted strategy, real outreach in motion and the momentum you need to land your next role. Join this four-week book club hosted by VCU's Graduate School and based on Steve Dalton’s highly effective book, "The 2-Hour Job Search." This series is designed to be highly practical. Each one-hour session is broken down into real talk, key concepts and live writing/activity time. The group will meet via Zoom on Tuesdays from noon-1 p.m., May 26-June 16.
For more information, contact Hali Massey at dayberryhj@vcu.edu or visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScWX0XalGdtdccxJmj_3SKblTv8yQThqSsASIulLG9n5981iQ/viewform?usp=header.
Neuro-Ultrasound in Stroke Care Symposium
Friday, Jun. 5, 2026 from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Neuro-Ultrasound in Stroke Care is a focused course exploring the practical application of neuro-ultrasound in contemporary stroke management. The virtual course equips learners to assess cerebrovascular pathology at the bedside, track disease progression over time and integrate ultrasound findings into timely, evidence-based decisions across the full continuum of stroke care. Free, no CME. Register at https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_2WtQrjg2QhKbs1btFbCZCg
For more information, contact Aarti Sarwal, M.D., at aarti.sarwal@vcuhealth.org or visit https://neurology.vcu.edu/education/cpe/.
Attend Supervisors and Managers Boot Camp, a Professional Development Ccourse
Monday, Jul. 27, 2026 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The Grace E. Harris Leadership Development Institute’s Supervisors and Managers Boot Camp is open for registration. This five-day course is a highly interactive sequence of topics, tips and tools focused on developing leadership skills while increasing knowledge and confidence in solving some of the challenges that come with supervising others. The course will be held at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture, 428 N. Arthur Ashe Blvd. Register at the following URL.
For more information, contact Victoria Carter-Johnston at carterjohnsva@vcu.edu or (434) 270-2026 or visit https://gehli.vcu.edu/trainings-and-institutes/supervisors-and-managers-bootcamp-smb/.
Save the Date: 2026 Associate Professor Conference
Friday, Sep. 18, 2026 from 8:30 a.m. to noon
From the Office of the Provost – Faculty Affairs, save the date for the 2026 Associate Professors Conference. This year's theme is Designing Mid-Career Trajectories in a Changing Academy and will feature a keynote from Ann E. Austin, Ph.D., additional professional development sessions and the opportunity to network. The conference provides a professional development opportunity for advanced assistant professors and associate professors and will provide insights for moving through the associate professor years and to look ahead in planning their career trajectory. The event will be in the Lecture Hall (Room 303), James Branch Cabell Library, 901 Park Ave. See additional details at the following URL.
For more information, contact Tiffany Freitas at freitast@vcu.edu or visit https://faculty.provost.vcu.edu/professional-development/conferences/associate-professor-conference/2026-apc/.
Notices
Thriving Communities Research Pilot Grant Program: Request for Proposals
The Thriving Communities Research Pilot Grant Program, offered by VCU’s Division of Community Engagement, provides up to $25,000 in seed funding for community-engaged research projects across all disciplines. The program is designed to support VCU faculty and research staff in piloting community-engaged research projects that respond to community-identified needs. The submission deadline is 6 p.m. Friday, May 15. See the request for proposals at the following URL.
For more information, contact Challen Wellington at wellingtonc@vcu.edu or visit https://community.vcu.edu/resources/grants/thriving-communities-pilot-grant/.
Faculty Learning Communities Survey
FLCs are small groups of faculty members who meet regularly to explore a shared teaching and learning topic. Participants engage in collaborative discussions and reflect on their teaching in a supportive environment. Faculty members who are interested should complete the short application form at the following URL. Those selected will receive a small stipend in recognition of their contributions. Individual feedback will help VCU's Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence plan future FLCs that best support your teaching and student success.
For more information, contact Michele Murray at mmurray2@vcu.edu or visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdtisHQHusI5wFIJOMTDU3DcBgFvsB2PQpskAsVK9MfbtgZFg/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=102580568854293550927.
Employee Health Wellness Screenings
Did you know Employee Health offers wellness screenings at its Monroe Park location (800 W. Broad St.)? You can review wellness concerns with a nurse, get your cholesterol and blood sugar checked (optional) and get a customized list of resources that will help you reach your wellness goals. Schedule your appointment up to two months in advance at the following URL.
For more information, contact VCU Employee Health at EHS@vcu.edu or (804) 628-2594 or visit http://go.vcu.edu/employeewellness.
DAAC Leadership Applications Now Open
The Disability Advocacy and Accessibility Caucus (DAAC) is accepting applications for leadership positions for the upcoming academic year. Become involved in advancing accessibility on campus through initiatives like working with Transportation, planning Disability Advocacy Week and developing resources for student organizations. Students from all backgrounds and experience levels are encouraged to apply:
For more information, contact Shady Habib at Habibss@vcu.edu or (703) 314-2515 or visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf25xZ7LBSZKkM2thuty4pmIKkNSWe967Gr5gU3mZzam4L35A/viewform.
Participants Are Invited For Study Examining the Impact of Cold Water Immersion on Symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
This study is seeking individuals between the ages of 18 and 35 years who have GAD or symptoms of GAD. The purpose of this research study is to examine the effect of cold water immersion on GAD symptoms with specific focus on blood vessel function. This study will be conducted at 500 Academic Centre on VCU’s Monroe Park Campus. Principle Investigator: Ryan Garten, Ph.D., Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences. For more information, contact Ryan Garten, Ph.D., at rsgarten@vcu.edu.
For more information, contact Ryan Garten at rsgarten@vcu.edu.
Postmenopausal Females Are Invited For Study the Impact of Exercise on Cardiovascular Health
This study is seeking postmenopausal females to participate in a research study examining the effect of exercise training on blood vessel function. This study will be conducted at 500 Academic Centre on VCU’s Monroe Park Campus. Principle Investigator: Ryan Garten, Ph.D., Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences.
For more information, contact Ryan Garten at rsgarten@vcu.edu.
Participants Are Invited For Study Examining the Impact of Heat Therapy on Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
This study is seeking individuals between the ages of 18 and 55 years who have PTSD or symptoms of PTSD. The purpose of this research study is to examine the effect of heat therapy (infrared sauna) on PTSD symptoms with specific focus on blood vessel function. This study will be conducted at 500 Academic Centre on VCU’s Monroe Park Campus. Principle Investigator: Ryan Garten, Ph.D., Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences.
For more information, contact Ryan Garten at rsgarten@vcu.edu.
Other resources
VCU Libraries workshops
See a schedule of workshops and classes that teach how to use collections and databases.
LinkedIn Learning @ VCU
Navigate a vast library of online video tutorials to supplement teaching, learning, and professional development.