Student Issue for February 28, 2022
Special Announcement
VCU State of Academic Affairs Address Is Today
Join Provost Fotis Sotiropoulos for the inaugural VCU State of Academic Affairs Address today (Feb. 28) at 11 a.m. as he celebrates the academic accomplishments of the university and looks toward a bright, transformative future for our students, our faculty and staff and our communities. The address will be live streamed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97tXiqAnSM8. More information is available on the provost's website at https://provost.vcu.edu/soaa/. For questions, contact provost@vcu.edu.
Today
The Economic Value of Pharmacist-Physician Collaborative Care Models in Hypertension Management
12 p.m.
Hear from VCU-Indivior Health Economics and Outcomes Research fellow Jessica Jay, Pharm.D., on the cost effectiveness of pharmacists being part of interprofessional health care teams managing hypertension in the next Center for Pharmacy Practice Innovation seminar. Free CE credit will be offered. The event will be held virtually and in Room 545, Robert Blackwell Smith Building, 410 N. 12th St. Register for the Zoom link at the following URL.
For more information, contact Madeleine Wagner at cppi@vcu.edu or visit http://bit.ly/CPPISeminars.
Meet VCU's Authors: Massa Lemu, 'The Material and Expressive Aspects of Articulage'
4 p.m. to 5 p.m.
VCU's Humanities Research Center will present Massa Lemu, Ph.D., an assistant professor in the Department of Sculpture and Extended Media at the university. He will review the conceptual frames of assemblage and articulation to show how he is putting them together as articulage (his term), how the material and expressive aspects of the work of certain contemporary artists exemplify articulage and how this inspires his new work. Register at the following URL.
For more information, contact Rani Sisavath at sisavathr@vcu.edu or visit https://bit.ly/3F1n4pw.
Find Your Fit
5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Join the Peer Health Educators from VCU Recreation and Well-Being (RecWell) to discuss physical activity and nutrition. The session will be in the lobby of the University Student Commons, 907 Floyd Ave.
For more information, contact VCU Peer Health Educators at peerhealth@vcu.edu.
Master of Product Innovation Informational Session (Virtual)
5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Join staff from the da Vinci Center to learn about the Master of Product Innovation program. The program at VCU is designed for creative thinkers and doers from a wide range of undergraduate backgrounds who want to ideate and launch innovative products, projects and initiatives in the world’s most leading-edge companies. Register for the Zoom link at the following URL.
For more information, contact Erika Boltz at boltzef2@vcu.edu or visit https://connect.business.vcu.edu/register/MPI0228.
Medical Journal Club Article Presentation
6 p.m.
VCU's Medical Journal Club will meet via Zoom for an article presentation. The organization encourages members to publish research and discuss topics in the medical community. Register for the online link at the following URL.
For more information, contact Jefin Jose at josej@vcu.edu or (804) 937-2584 or visit https://vcu.zoom.us/j/98114032120?pwd=eTNQaCs2YWpGYVl5dU9saVQwVFUwUT09.
VCU Robertson School M.S. in Mass Communications Information Sessions
6 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Are you thinking about getting a Master’s in Mass Communications but don’t know where to start? Join the Zoom informational sessions Feb. 28 at 12-12:30 p.m. or 6-6:30 p.m. to learn about the Robertson School’s online Master’s Degree in Mass Communications. A Q&A session will be held. Questions: https://robertson.vcu.edu/graduate/. Register for the Zoom link at the following URL.
For more information, contact Alexandra Chapman at chapmanam3@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.zoom.us/j/6684061425.
This week
VCU Writing Center Workshop: Paraphrasing
Tuesday, Mar. 1, 2022 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Learn to feel comfortable with the process of paraphrasing in academic writing. 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/.
Funded Postgraduate Opportunity: Fulbright Informational Session
Tuesday, Mar. 1, 2022 at 11 a.m.
Do you want to spend a year abroad on someone else's dime? VCU's National Scholarship Office will host a Fulbright informational session via Zoom. The Fulbright scholarship provides funding for research, study, creative projects and teaching English abroad. Juniors, seniors, and graduate students from all majors are encouraged to join. Questions: http://blogs.vcu.edu/natlscholar. Register for the Zoom link at the following URL.
For more information, contact Meredith Sisson at mrsisson@vcu.edu or visit https://forms.gle/oaFchVaQQq6HdUtSA.
Pathways to Special Education – Faison Session
Tuesday, Mar. 1, 2022 at 3 p.m.
An informational session about licensure program pathway options will be held at the Faison Center special education school for autism. The program, geared for Faison employees, will be virtual and at the center, 5311 Markel Road. Register at the following URL.
For more information, contact Jazmin Tilfas at soeinfo@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.zoom.us/j/96962607441?pwd=Ukcvc3dReG14Q1p3aHhRLzlWZWZhdz09.
RAMmalogues - Open Dialogue on Gender
Tuesday, Mar. 1, 2022 from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
How does your gender impact your daily life? Do you wonder how that differs for others? Engage with students, faculty and staff in an upcoming RAMmalogues session about gender. Share your experience navigating gender and gender-based expectations in our society and bear witness to what others have to share in open dialogue. RAMmalogues is a space for intercultural, multigenerational and community-wide dialogues around who we are and what matters to us. The session will be in Room 250, James Branch Cabell Library, 901 Park Ave. Questions: https://inclusive.vcu.edu/iexcel/rammalogues/. All faculty, staff and students are invited, but registration is limited to 25, so register now at the following URL to reserve your spot.
For more information, contact Jan Altman, Ph.D., at iexcel@vcu.edu or visit https://training.vcu.edu/course.aspx?processFlag=2&itemID=17911.
B.A. in Human and Organizational Development Informational Session
Tuesday, Mar. 1, 2022 at 5 p.m.
Join VCU's School of Education to learn about a career in training and development in organizations. Do you have a passion for helping others succeed in their work? If you answered in the affirmative, then the B.A. in Human and Organizational Development may be the right choice for you. Register for the Zoom link at the following URL.
For more information, contact Jazmin Tilfas at soeinfo@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.zoom.us/j/98850425578.
Medical Spanish Workshop and Q&A by VCU's Latinx Medical Student Association
Tuesday, Mar. 1, 2022 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Collective Corazon is partnering with VCU School of Medicine’s Latinx Medical Student Association on a virtual workshop for medical students to learn and practice Spanish terminology used in health care settings. The final 10 minutes of the workshop will be reserved for a Q&A. Participants do not have to be Latinx or know Spanish to join. All are welcome. Click on the Zoom link at the following URL.
For more information, contact Jasmin Blanco Vargas at collectivecorazon@gmail.com or visit https://vcu.zoom.us/j/94972185869.
Piano Duo - Magdalena Adamek and Michelle Huang
Tuesday, Mar. 1, 2022 at 7 p.m.
VCU Music piano faculty member Magdalena Adamek will be joined by guest pianist Michelle Huang in a piano duo concert in Sonia Vlahcevic Concert Hall, W.E. Singleton Center for the Performing Arts, 922 Park Ave., featuring pieces inspired by cultural elements from around the world. The program will include "Souvenirs" by Barber, "Danzon Cubano" by Copland, "Toccata for Two Pianos" by Górecki, "Libertango" and "Tangata" by Piazzolla, and "Suite for Two Pianos" by Richard Bennett.
For more information, contact Linda Johnston at lsjohnst@vcu.edu or (804) 827-4541 or visit http://arts.vcu.edu/music.
Ukraine and Russia: The Future of European Security
Tuesday, Mar. 1, 2022 at 7 p.m.
Join VCU's Department of Political Science for a virtual town hall to discuss the current situation between Ukraine and Russia. The panel features faculty with specialties in Russian politics, European security and American foreign policy. Register for the Zoom link at the following URL.
For more information, contact Jen Clayton at claytonja@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.zoom.us/j/99130381531.
You First Presents: Thriving at VCU – How Your First-Gen Strengths Can Lead You to Success
Tuesday, Mar. 1, 2022 from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Join Kaylynn Hill, coordinator for student engagement in VCU Transform, to explore the strengths and assets of being a first-generation college student and how you can build on those strengths to thrive at VCU. Questions: http://youfirst.vcu.edu. Register for this virtual session at the following URL.
For more information, contact Elizabeth Bambacus at bambacuses@vcu.edu or (804) 827-3927 or visit https://bit.ly/YouFirstPresents030122.
VCU Writing Center Workshop: Structuring Your Writing for Your Audience
Wednesday, Mar. 2, 2022 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
The VCU Writing Center will present an interactive workshop focusing on the tools necessary to meet the needs of an audience by writing strong, logical, structurally sound work. The Zoom link is hosted on the center's events page at the following URL.
For more information, contact Trey Burnart Hall at hallbr@vcu.edu or visit https://writing.vcu.edu/calendar/.
Shift Your Mindset
Wednesday, Mar. 2, 2022 from 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Meditation is a powerful tool to help creatives and entrepreneurs tap into their intuition, gain focus and find quiet amidst the hustle. Guided meditation sessions will be hosted by the da Vinci Center and the School of Business Office of Student Engagement at 10 a.m. on the first Wednesday of every month. Stay afterward for conversation and community. The event is open to all VCU students, faculty and staff. No registration is necessary.
For more information, contact Erika Boltz at boltzef2@vcu.edu or visit https://davincicenter.vcu.edu/events/.
Information Table: Safety in Your Hands, Empowering Women Through Self-Defense
Wednesday, Mar. 2, 2022 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
VCU Police will host an information table at the University Student Commons, 907 Floyd Ave., to answer questions and sign up students and employees for basic physical defense training. The classes teach women (assigned, identifying, and transgender) physical self-defense techniques, risk awareness, risk reduction and defense techniques for sexual assault, violence and abduction.
For more information, contact Ofc. Amy Murray at murrayae2@vcu.edu or visit https://police.vcu.edu/services/rad/.
Free Money Game Show
Wednesday, Mar. 2, 2022 at 6 p.m.
Brush up on pop culture trivia for a chance to win $200 in cash at VCU Alumni’s virtual game night, in partnership with Neon Entertainment and VCU Students Today Alumni Tomorrow. Play from anywhere with a phone, tablet or computer. Only VCU alumni and/or students are eligible to win. Register at the following URL.
For more information, contact Allison Toney at aktoney@vcu.edu or visit https://www.support.vcu.edu/event/freemoney.
CReSS Workshop: Neuroscience and Mindfulness Research
Thursday, Mar. 3, 2022 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Kirk Brown, Ph.D., and members of his research team will discuss current trends and findings in social psychology, neuroscience and mindfulness at a Clinical Research Skills Series Workshop hosted by VCU's C. Kenneth and Dianne Wright Center for Clinical and Translational Research. Questions: https://cctr.vcu.edu/. Registration is required. Register for the Zoom link at the following URL.
For more information, contact CCTR Workforce Development Team at cctrtwdp@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJUqfuuurzsoGd3Lw09J6leaRxX9DRHza7C4.
Student Tuition and Budget Forum
Thursday, Mar. 3, 2022 from noon to 1 p.m.
Join VCU's Office of Budget to learn about the upcoming potential changes to VCU's tuition and fees for the 2022-2023 academic year. This session will include time to ask questions and provide feedback to the VCU leaders. Register at the following URL.
For more information, contact Joslyn Bedell at jdbedell@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_CTGfHgztSTGl_h4SIhiDXg.
Women's Body Acceptance: How Our Relationship With Movement, Food and Social Media Affects the Way We See Ourselves
Thursday, Mar. 3, 2022 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Join VCU's Office of Multicultural Student Affairs for a Womxn's Herstory Month virtual panel event which will include a discussion on body acceptance, the effects of social media on our self-image, the relationship with our bodies, eating disorders and gentle nutrition. Questions: https://linktr.ee/vcuomsa. Register for the Zoom link at the following URL.
For more information, contact Savannah J. Smith at smithsj2@vcu.edu or (804) 828-3143 or visit https://vcu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJUtcOqqrj0oEtTqqgIR-KWWfRhaO_qKpJWZ.
VCU Visiting Writers Series: 2022 Rebecca Mitchell Tarumoto Short Fiction Prize
Thursday, Mar. 3, 2022 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
VCU's Department of English Master of Fine Arts Program in Creative Writing and its award-winning journal, Blackbird, will host the biannual Tarumoto Prize featuring 2022 winner Katarzyna Jakubiak and a special reading by author Amina Gautier. The prize is awarded to the best work of short fiction published by Blackbird, with a particular emphasis on work by an emerging or underappreciated writer. All VCU Visiting Writing Series events are free and open to the public. The session will be in-person in the third-floor lecture hall, James Branch Cabell Library, 901 Park Ave., and will also be made available via Zoom. Register at the following URL for the Zoom link.
For more information, contact Thom Didato at tndidato@vcu.edu or (804) 828-1329 or visit https://vcu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_e0L3xHdmTOyVkhN3AAZnwg.
Women in Electrical and Computer Engineering To Hold Interest Meeting
Friday, Mar. 4, 2022 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Women in Electrical and Computer Engineering will hold an interest meeting in Room 103, College of Engineering West Hall, 601 W. Main St.
For more information, contact Mehak Chopra at chopram@vcu.edu.
Coming up
A Novel Nascent Protein-Degradation-Based Mechanism for Fast Homeostatic Control of Neuronal Activity
Tuesday, Mar. 8, 2022 from noon to 1 p.m.
Haiyan He, Ph.D., Georgetown University, will present her research on evidence for a new mechanism of proteostasis regulation employed by the vertebrate brain that is mediated by a newly discovered neuronal membrane proteasome. The virtual talk will be part of the Visiting Scholar Seminar Series sponsored by VCU's C. Kenneth and Dianne Wright Center for Clinical and Translational Research. Register for the Zoom link at the following URL.
For more information, contact Rob Direnzo at direnzor@vcu.edu or (646) 419-0495 or visit https://vcu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_2NtgPDJLQySA_22fQ31WhQ.
Bench to Community Seminar Series - Developing a Pitch Deck
Thursday, Mar. 10, 2022 from 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
VCU's Institute for Engineering and Medicine will host its seventh seminar online in the Bench to Community Series. Participants will learn how to present a company, technology innovation, development team and market potential size to potential investors. Register for the link at the following URL.
For more information, contact Laura Osborne at lmnosborne@vcu.edu or (804) 828-0349 or visit https://iem.vcu.edu/events/bench-to-community/.
VCU Student Leadership Awards 2022
Thursday, Apr. 14, 2022 at 6 p.m.
Nominations are open through March 15 for the 2022 VCU Student Leadership Awards, sponsored by the university's Division of Student Affairs. Members of the VCU community may nominate leaders across campus for the awards, which celebrate innovative, courageous and socially engaged student leaders. Nominate a student, student organization and/or advisor at the following URL. The awards ceremony will be held April 14 in the second-floor ballroom, University Student Commons, 907 Floyd Ave.
For more information, contact Laura O'Brien at lbobrien@vcu.edu or (804) 840-6220 or visit http://thecommonsvcu.com/Leaders22.
Notices
Rare Disease Day Virtual Conference To Be Held Feb. 28
As the rarest month and day, February and its last day recognize people affected by rare diseases. In the United States, 30 million people have any one of 7,000-plus rare diseases, about half of which are children. It takes an average of 7.5 years for these patients to find a diagnosis, and only 5 percent of these diseases have an approved treatment. To observe the day, the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences and the National Institute for Health are sponsoring a virtual conference to raise awareness and initiate dialogue.
For more information, contact Alex Ratti at rattija@vcu.edu or visit http://ncats.nih.gov/news/events/rdd.
Participate in a Financial Survey and Be Entered in a Raffle
A student-led project team at VCU Engineering is conducting user research to build financial literacy tools on campus. The group seeks current undergraduate and graduate students to fill out a survey at the following URL about financial literacy, well-being and student life at VCU. Participants will be entered into a raffle with the chance to win Apple AirPods. View the survey at the following URL.
For more information, contact Viva Chapman at chapmanso@vcu.edu or visit https://forms.gle/UQwgKgoot462hvwP6.
VCU Staff Senate Employee Appreciation Week – March 7-11
VCU Staff Senate is partnering with VCU departments and local businesses to give staff members a chance to take advantage of networking and wellness experiences on campus and virtually. See the full list at the following URL.
For more information, contact VCU Staff Senate at staffsenate@vcu.edu or visit https://staffsenate.vcu.edu/employee-appreciation/.
Open Positions for Graduate and Professional Student Senate
VCU's Graduate and Professional Student Government Association is beginning its 2022 election cycle. Openings are available for president, vice president, speaker of the senate and attorney general. Register via RamsConnect at the following URL.
For more information, contact Chidera Ntiwunka-Ifeanyi at ntiwunkaifcm@vcu.edu; gpss@vcu.edu or visit https://cglink.me/2dV/s64267.
VCU Continuing and Professional Education
VCU Continuing and Professional Education offers convenient learning options for the VCU community and members of the public. Choose from bookkeeping, computer skills, cultural competency and languages, customer service, digital marketing, digital reporting, event planning, Excel, Google analytics, managing remote workers, paralegal, play therapy, podcasting, social media, supervisory and leadership, test prep (pre-college, graduate school, and pre-health) and WordPress.
For more information, contact VCU Continuing and Professional Education at ocpe@vcu.edu or (804) 828-1322 or visit https://ocpe.vcu.edu/courses/.
Accepting Applications: Presidential Student Ambassadors
The VCU Office of the President is currently accepting Presidential Student Ambassador applications. The ambassador program is designed to assist student leaders across the university with professional development, career exploration/pursuit and networking skills while completing office projects and responsibilities. Q&A sessions will be held in the near future. The application deadline is April 30. Applications can be found at the program's @psa_vcu Instagram bio.
For more information, contact Presidential Student Ambassadors at psambassadors@vcu.edu or (804) 828-1200.
Register for OMSA Cultural Achievement Ceremonies
VCU's Office of Multicultural Student Affairs will host ceremonies providing graduating students who identify as Black/African American, Latinx, Asian-American and Pacific Islander and LGBTQIA+ an opportunity to celebrate their academic achievement in a setting that recognizes and affirms their cultural identity and recognizes their efforts. The deadline is 6 p.m. March 1 to register to attend any of these ceremonies. Register at the following URL.
For more information, contact Jair Lecky at omsa@vcu.edu or visit https://forms.gle/vigpwf32AmR6Pz8E6.
Patients With Painful Diabetic Neuropathy Are Invited To Participate in a Study of a Potential New Treatment
We are inviting male and female Type 2 diabetes patients with painful diabetic neuropathy ages 18-75 to participate in a research investigation of a new treatment to alleviate pain and examine its effects on pain perception. In addition to the new treatment, this study involves completing surveys and undergoing tests to evaluate perceptions of pain. Volunteers will be compensated for their time. Participants are only required to come once for the study.
For more information, contact Bushan Thakkar at thakkarbs2@vcu.edu or (804) 300-5578.
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.
RamsConnect events
View all of the student events happening on campus and register for events that interest you.