12 p.m. to 1 p.m.

Women in Science, Dentistry and Medicine (WISDM) will host a professional development seminar with Vice Dean Betsy Ripley, M.D., M.S., Senior Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs (SOM). She will discuss how to recognize opportunities for self-advocacy and create a plan to negotiate for yourself. Register for the Zoom link at the following URL.

For more information, contact Jody Hedstrom at hedstromj@vcu.edu or (804) 828-6591 or visit https://vcuhealth.libcal.com/event/9726046.

12:30 p.m.

VCU’s National Scholarship Office will present a virtual information session intended for undergraduate and graduate students in all disciplines. Learn about the Boren Awards, a fully funded opportunity to study abroad in a non-Western, non-English speaking country while studying a critical language, and how the NSO can offer support in applying. An identical session will be offered on Tuesday, Nov. 1 at 2 p.m. Register to attend (Room 1210, 701 W. Grace St.) or request the recording at: https://forms.gle/mpoLVPaBYgPy3L8a6

For more information, contact Jeff Wing at jawing@vcu.edu or visit http://nso.vcu.edu.

2 p.m.

VCU’s National Scholarship Office will present an informational session (in person and via Zoom) for undergraduate and graduate students in STEM-field majors. Learn about RISE, a research internship program in Germany (working language English); SMART, a Department of Defense scholarship which provides funding for tuition as well as summer research internships; and other scholarship opportunities. The in-person session will be in Room 1313, Engineering Research Building, 401 W. Main St. Register to attend or for the recording at: https://forms.gle/1gBFoXcAKXb7Xvw69

For more information, contact Jeff Wing at jawing@vcu.edu or visit http://nso.vcu.edu.

2 p.m.

Join the National Scholarship Office for a virtual informational session on the Ford Foundation Fellowship Program, which aims to improve higher education through diversity. These awards are given to doctoral students in all disciplines who are pursuing a Ph.D. or Sc.D. and who are committed to careers in teaching at the university level. Register (or request the recording) at https://forms.gle/5zwuL3k2StAhUg6H8

For more information, contact Meredith Sisson at mrsisson@vcu.edu or visit http://nso.vcu.edu.

Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2022 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Join VCU Police for their Fall Safety Fair on the Student Commons Plaza. Take a drive in the DriveSmart crash simulator, learn how to use a fire extinguisher or repair your bike with RamBikes mobile repair cart. Safety information topics include distracted driving, bike safety, automobile theft, alcohol education and bystander intervention. Free food and giveaways will be available while supplies last.

For more information, contact Officer Amy Murray at crimeprevreq@vcu.edu.

Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2022 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Join the Common Book program for a screening of the documentary "Until the Well Runs Dry" with Shawn Utsey, Ph.D., in the auditorium of the Egyptian Building, 1223 E. Marshall St. A Q&A and discussion will follow.

For more information, contact Anne Weakley at weakleyac@vcu.edu or visit https://commonbook.vcu.edu/the-2022-common-book/events/.

Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2022 at 5 p.m.

Samaneh Oladi, Ph.D., faculty in the Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies Minor at the School of World Studies, will lead a virtual discussion on the current uprisings in Iran and provide a historical look at women's rights movements in the country. Join the conversation via Zoom at the following URL.

For more information, contact Mayda Topoushian, Ph.D., at mtopoushian@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.zoom.us/j/84546593719.

Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2022 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Celebrate the release of 'Gideon Appah: Forgotten, Nudes, Landscapes,' a companion publication to the artist’s exhibition at the ICA last spring. The event will be held at VCU's Institute for Contemporary Art at the Markel Center, 601 W. Broad St. Appah, a Ghanaian artist known for paintings of nightlife scenes that are rich with references to archival newspaper clippings, films and event posters. This will be followed by a screening of the documentary "Talking About Trees" by Sudanese director Suhaib Gasmelbari.

For more information, contact Yomna Osman at osmany@vcu.edu.

Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2022 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Join VCU HR and Walgreens to get your flu shot in Room 129, School of Pharmacy Building, 410 N. 12th St. Walk-ins and appointments are accepted.

For more information, contact Cindi Phares at cphares@vcu.edu or (804) 828-1521 or visit https://hr.vcu.edu/current-employees/worklife/flu-clinics/.

Thursday, Oct. 27, 2022 from noon to 1 p.m.

Roy Sabo, Ph.D., associate professor, biostatistics, will discuss the most common study designs used in health sciences research at a lunch research seminar. The virtual talk will also include the characteristics, goals, benefits and limitations of each design and possible adaptations. The talk will be presented by VCU's C. Kenneth and Dianne Wright Center for Clinical and Translational Research. Questions: Visit https://cctr.vcu.edu/ Register for the Zoom link 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/tZIode2pqTIjG9wy_-GFZRel2L9dOBw45p-s.

Friday, Oct. 28, 2022 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Feedback Friday is designed as a roundtable discussion with peers, community members and staff. Come to Shift Retail Lab, 1235 W. Broad St., to help student entrepreneurs make iterations and draw support during their time at VCU. Bring your curiosity and questions; snacks and beverages will be provided.

For more information, contact Lloyd Young at youngel3@vcu.edu or visit https://connect.business.vcu.edu/register/feedback-oct28.

Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022 from 11 a.m. to noon

This informational wellness seminar will present an opportunity for employees to learn about the standard of nutritional guidelines in 2022. The session will include definition and spectrum of obesity and association to multiple other diseases, dietetic modifications to manage weight gain and surgical treatment options. The event will be in the VCU Health Adult Outpatient Pavilion, 1001 E. Leigh St., Ninth Floor Conference Room B or via Zoom. Register in Talent@VCU or at: https://bit.ly/3g1anEj

For more information, contact Cindi Phares at cphares@vcu.edu or (804) 828-1521 or visit https://ramstrong.vcu.edu/.

Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

VCU's School of Education will host a virtual informational session about its Ph.D. program in Special Education and how it prepares future leaders to support students with disabilities, their families and their teachers. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Jazmin Tilfas at soeinfo@vcu.edu or visit https://connect.soe.vcu.edu/register/?id=93fd962d-f398-4674-9c86-9a23f81f3dfd.

Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

VCU's School of Education will host a virtual informational session about its M.Ed. in Educational Leadership, which offers concentrations in culturally responsive leadership, higher education and leadership studies. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Jazmin Tilfas at soeinfo@vcu.edu or visit https://connect.soe.vcu.edu/register/?id=a4a79340-9854-4999-8d86-1b3d8e7e44b3.

Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2022 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

VCU P.R.I.M.E. (Professional Health and Related Interests Mentoring Experiences) will host its third annual health care mixer in the ballroom of the University Student Commons, 907 Floyd Ave. Graduate school representatives from all health care tracks, minority and pre-health student organizations and campus resources will be available. The guest speaker will be Ryan Gray, M.D., Medical School Headquarters. The dress code will be business casual for this professional event. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Keerthana Merugu at merugukb@vcu.edu or visit https://app.joinhandshake.com/stu/events/1091982?ref=events-search.

Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2022 at 1 p.m.

VCU Parking and Transportation will host its virtual fall semester forum to discuss parking and transportation updates and address customer concerns and questions. Register and submit your questions for the event at the following URL.

For more information, contact VCU Parking and Transportation at parking@vcu.edu or (804) 828-7275 or visit https://forms.gle/mg9ArSTLan1weJRi9.

Thursday, Nov. 10, 2022 from 11 a.m. to noon

VCU's Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence will present a virtual workshop on Open Educational Resources. This session will ask participants to consider the gaps between their current textbooks and their ideal course materials before introducing OER as a solution. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Tiffany Freitas at freitast@vcu.edu or visit https://forms.gle/WmgbiPWVtVh7ZYVq5.

Would you like to receive well-being tips from VCU Human Resources? The RamStrong Well-being blog includes Motivation Monday, Funny Friday and many other tips and resources available to VCU employees. Subscribe today at https://blogs.vcu.edu/hr-worklife/

For more information, contact Cindi Phares at cphares@vcu.edu or (804) 828-1521 or visit https://ramstrong.vcu.edu/.

A public comment period will remain open until 11:59 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28 to provide feedback on the four Quality Enhancement Plan topic proposals that are being advanced for consideration. Visit the QEP Proposals at the following URL, review each of the four proposals and submit the brief questionnaire with your feedback. Public input will inform the final round of reviews.

For more information, contact Erin Webster Garrett, Ph.D., at qep@vcu.edu or (804) 827-3421 or visit https://provost.vcu.edu/qep/proposals/.

VCU's C. Kenneth and Dianne Wright Center for Clinical and Translational Research actively supports clinical research professionals entering the work force or transitioning career paths with the Certificate in Clinical Research. The program prepares students for first-time entry or transition into the field of clinical research and provides professional development for current clinical, allied health and research professionals. Spring 2023 applications due Dec. 30 at the following URL.

For more information, contact Catherine Brown at crbrown@vcu.edu or visit https://cctr.vcu.edu/education-and-training/certificate-program/.

As President Michael Rao mentioned in his email on Friday, the NEW Annual Ethics and Compliance Training for FY23 is now live and can be accessed through your Talent transcript. This course is mandatory for all faculty and staff and must be completed by Dec. 8. This year's training features interactive scenarios and video of faculty, staff and students, as well as a sleeker look and feel. Access the training today.

For more information, contact Kim McQuillen at mcquillenka@vcu.edu or (804) 828-2028.

Differing from the spring semester individual ceremonies, VCU's Office of Multicultural Student Affairs will celebrate students holding various identities through one ceremony. The event will be Dec. 8 (ceremony 5:30-7 p.m., reception: 7:30-9 p.m.). Graduates who wish to participate in the combined Lavender, Donning of the Kente, Latine Achievement and Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Graduation ceremony should complete the form at the following URL by midnight Oct. 31.

For more information, contact Amala Thomas at thomasac4@Vcu.edu or visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdTGjfsQiQ9eAgqf6GNb4F9OMWHX0Qu2FI4XdjAYPMXEmHTbg/viewform.

Adults who smoke menthol cigarettes and identify as Black/African American are invited to participate in a study that involves electronic cigarette use for six weeks to reduce their smoking. Participants must be willing to visit the study site, receive phone calls, and respond to texts/surveys. Compensation is provided. Principal investigators are Andrew Barnes, Ph.D., Health Behavior and Policy Department, and Caroline Cobb, Ph.D., Psychology Department.

For more information, contact Caroline Cobb at cobbco@vcu.edu or (804) 828-1867 or visit http://bit.ly/rvaflavors.

We are seeking females and males between the ages of 18 and 35 years to participate in a study examining the effect of estrogen on blood vessel health and function at rest and during exercise. This study will be conducted at 500 Academic Centre on VCU’s Monroe Park Campus. Principal Investigator: Ryan Garten, Ph.D., Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences.

For more information, contact Ryan Garten at rsgarten@vcu.edu.