Faculty/staff Issue for May 18, 2026
Special Announcement
Parking Deck Subscribers To Relocate During Graduations
Upcoming high school graduations will create interruptions to parking from May 18-22 (Monday-Friday) and May 26-29 (Tuesday-Friday). From May 18-22, all West Broad Street Deck subscribers will relocate to the West Cary Street Deck, 1101 W. Cary St.; Jefferson Street Deck, 100 S. Jefferson St.; Henry Street Deck, 200 N. Henry St.; or West Main Street Deck, 801 W. Main St. From May 26-29, West Broad Street Deck subscribers may relocate to the above listed locations if preferred, but are not required.
A dedicated shuttle service will be provided by Parking and Transportation from May 18-22 and May 26-29 to transport subscribers to and from on-campus locations. RamSafe shuttles will run continuously to and from the West Cary Street Deck, Jefferson Street Deck, Harrison and Franklin streets, Franklin and Laurel streets, and Shafer and Franklin streets from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. If a VCU parking subscriber needs transportation between 6:31 p.m. and 6:29 a.m., they can place a ride request through the RamSafe using the Ride Pingo app.
Reciprocal parking will not be permitted on the West Broad Street Deck from May 18-22 and May 26-29. MCV Campus subscribers may park on the West Cary Street Deck, Jefferson Street Deck, Henry Street Deck or West Main Street Deck.
Additional information on high school graduation impacts is available at https://parking.vcu.edu/special-events/high-school-graduations/.
Today
Executive MBA Informational Webinar
12 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/89738657856.
CPPI Seminar: The Role of Evidence in Policy Making
12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
Join the Center for Pharmacy Practice Innovation for its next seminar. The session will be held via Zoom and will be broadcast in the VCU School of Pharmacy, Robert Blackwell Smith Building, Room 545, 410 N. 12th St. for any faculty, staff or students who wish to join. Sujith Ramachandran, Ph.D., University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy, will discuss the role of evidence in policy-making. His research focuses on building a high-quality, equitable health care system that improves patient outcomes and delivers value. In addition, he studies medication use access and policy, with work examining opioid use in older adults and stimulant use among young adults.
For more information, contact Sydney Weber at webers2@vcu.edu or visit https://cppi.pharmacy.vcu.edu/seminars/upcoming/.
Reluctant Revolutionaries: From Loyal Subjects to Fledgling Citizens
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.
Health Hub After Dark: Financial Wellness
4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Come learn, move and engage with the VCU Health Hub, 1330 N. 25th St., Suite A during summer evenings with extended hours and programs. Join a financial wellness chat led by Ish'Maelle Reinhardt, a financial empowerment coach with People's Advantage Helping Hands. This session will explore the underlying assumptions about financial health and offer participants tools to becoming financially healthy.
For more information, contact VCU Health Hub at vcuhealthhub@vcu.edu.
This week
VCU Writing Center Workshop: Informational Session and Writing With Confidence
Tuesday, May 19, 2026 at 10 a.m.
In this virtual informational session and workshop, we will discuss the services provided by the VCU Writing Center and help you build confidence in your writing by breaking down the process into manageable chunks. Start your academic writing career off right by exploring the Writing Center and finding out why you write the way you do and how to become a more confident writer. Register at the following URL.
For more information, contact Jess Rogers at rogersjp2@vcu.edu or visit https://writing.vcu.edu/calendar/.
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/.
VCU Writing Center Workshop: The Personal Statement
Tuesday, May 19, 2026 at 6 p.m.
Writing about yourself can be intimidating, especially when something important like a scholarship or admittance to a program is riding on one short piece of writing. In this interactive Zoom workshop, we will look at 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 Jess Rogers at rogersjp2@vcu.edu or visit https://writing.vcu.edu/calendar/.
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.
Coming up
Make Meaningful Relationships Possible
Monday, Jun. 1, 2026 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
The Mary and Frances Youth Center will host a virtual program about exploring the tools to make meaningful relationships possible. Participants will build a framework for connection rooted in moral imagination. The event will be facilitated by interdisciplinary scholar Singith Perera. Register at the following URL.
For more information, contact Vaughn Garland at garlandvw@vcu.edu or visit https://tockify.com/vcumfyc/detail/177/1780333200000.
Sign Up for Summer Recovery Ally Trainings With Rams in Recovery
Tuesday, Jun. 2, 2026 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Rams in Recovery will host four Recovery Ally training sessions this summer. Learn how to be an advocate and ally for people struggling with substance use disorders and people in recovery. Sign up at the following URL.
For more information, contact Tom Bannard at bannardtn@vcu.edu or visit https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/aa7814151fca4d08a87d21c54d5e1e1b.
Leading With Emotional Intelligence – Intentional Practice
Wednesday, Jun. 3, 2026 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
VCU HR will offer a Leading With Emotional Intelligence – Intentional Practice workshop via Zoom. Register in Talent@VCU here: https://bit.ly/3ZgAWtt. Participants must first complete the Leading with Emotional Intelligence eLearning before attending the workshop, available here: https://bit.ly/3CF4IiR VCU Health system employees who would like to take this course but cannot access Talent@VCU should complete this form https://forms.gle/NfzCUbNMx6pHouVP7 to request registration.
For more information, contact Penny McFarline at mcfarlinep@vcu.edu.
Learn About the Master of Science in Health Administration – Virtual Informational Session
Wednesday, Jun. 3, 2026 at noon
Do you aspire to a leadership role in a health care organization? Join VCU's Department of Health Administration for a virtual informational session to learn about the hybrid Master of Science in Health Administration, geared toward health care professionals looking to sharpen their leadership and technical skill sets. RSVP at the following URL to receive the Zoom link.
For more information, contact Cameron Parkins at parkinsc@vcu.edu or visit https://forms.gle/RjGRd6GJavjWCeWu8.
Volunteers Needed for Kid's Heart Health Summer Camp
Tuesday, Jun. 23, 2026 at 9 a.m.
VCU Cardiology will provide heart health education during Richmond summer camps for students in grades one through eight. Volunteers are needed to help students with games and activities. The event will be at the Mary and Frances Youth Center, 120 S. Linden St. For more information, complete the interest form at the followiong URL or contact Jennifer Hundley at the following email address.
For more information, contact Jennifer Hundley at jennifer.hundley@vcuhealth.org or visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSePQYUSNFyDiYiKffTEN-BjYn6y8BJGzahJCsOU6IXfpXVHPg/viewform?usp=header.
Call for Posters – The 10th Annual John and Rosa Cifu Brain Injury Lecture and Fifth Annual Sheltering Arms Institute Symposium
Friday, Oct. 9, 2026 at 3 p.m.
Consider submitting an abstract of your quality improvement project or research. We will be highlighting our community’s work bringing together the bench and bedside. Showcase your work as a poster or oral presentation in one of the following categories: Clinical Research, Rehabilitation Interventions or Knowledge to Action. Submityour work at the following URL.
For more information, contact Carolyn Frey at carolyn.frey@vcuhealth.org or (804) 229-9143 or visit https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/forms.cloud.microsoft/r/jMNzKM9KNY__;!!JqxBPMk!h64LC9GGvjIhTRMoKZiO9ukih44Qxvh86ZIUTcAhhvxJ9nWNIXPGbDVOI3U7D5WLDgcs0w5OSJAltlofO2NxMv3fj0U$.
Notices
Rights of Students Under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
FERPA affords students the rights to inspect and review educational records; request that records which they believe to be inaccurate or misleading be corrected; provide written consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent; and to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education.
For more information, contact The Office of the University Registrar at rar@vcu.edu.
Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act: FTC Safeguards Rule
The Office of the University Registrar is responsible for notifying the university community that it does not release nonpublic information about VCU students. This information is used and shared in a limited and carefully controlled manner. It is not disclosed, except as permitted by law, unless authorized by the student.
For more information, contact The Office of the University Registrar at rar@vcu.edu.
Faculty and Staff Open Enrollment for Health Coverage and Flexible Spending: May 15–29
Open enrollment for the Commonwealth of Virginia’s health coverage and flexible spending plans takes place through Friday, May 29. Eligible university faculty and staff may enroll in flexible spending accounts and/or make changes to health coverage elections for the plan year that begins July 1. No action is required to maintain current health coverage elections for the upcoming plan year, but enrollment is required to begin or continue participation in flexible spending. COVA Care and COVA HealthAware participants can qualify for premium rewards for the upcoming plan year by first completing an annual preventive visit (well‑adult or well‑woman exam). The visit must be completed, processed and paid before May 31. In addition, participants must complete a new or updated Health Assessment by May 31 to earn the Premium Reward.
For more information, contact VCU Human Resources, Benefits Administration at benefits@vcu.edu or (804) 827-1723 or visit https://hr.vcu.edu/benefits/open-enrollment/.
Faculty and Staff Open Enrollment for Health Coverage and Flexible Spending: May 15 – May 29
Open enrollment for the Commonwealth of Virginia’s health coverage and flexible spending plans takes place from May 15 – May 29. Eligible university faculty and staff may enroll in flexible spending accounts and/or make changes to health coverage elections for the plan year that begins July 1, 2026. No action is required to maintain current health coverage elections for the upcoming plan year, but enrollment is required to begin or continue participation in flexible spending. COVA Care and COVA HealthAware participants can qualify for premium rewards for the upcoming plan year by first completing an annual preventive visit (well‑adult or well‑woman exam). The visit must be completed, processed and paid between Jan. 1, 2025 and May 31, 2026. In addition, participants must complete a new or updated Health Assessment between May 1 and May 31, 2026 to earn the Premium Reward. See information and instructions at https://hr.vcu.edu/benefits/open-enrollment/. Questions? Request HR Support from http://go.vcu.edu/ramscentral or contact openenroll@vcu.edu.
For more information, contact Krystin Carter at romerok2@vcu.edu or (804) 434-9077.
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.