Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Come make a Valentine for a friend or a domestic violence/trauma survivor at the Compass. Soteria will be giving out free Valentine's Day chocolate, providing card-making supplies and asking students what healthy love means to them.

For more information, contact Olive Blackstone at blackstonom@vcu.edu.

Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023 from 11 a.m. to noon

Calling all couples: Celebrate your love with VCU's College of Humanities and Sciences. Meet at the Compass on Valentine's Day and pose for a LOVE-ly picture with our giant ampersand statue.

For more information, contact Alexis Finc at alfinc@vcu.edu.

Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Looking to make new LGBTQIA+ friends? VCU's Office of Multicultural Student Affairs will host platonic speed dating on Valentine's Day in the Richmond Salons, University Student Commons, 907 Floyd Ave. OMSA will provide sweet treats, coffee and conversational icebreakers. There is a cap of 40 people for this event. Arrive by 3 p.m. RSVP at the following URL.

For more information, contact Beck Oh at ohrn@vcu.edu or visit https://cglink.me/2dV/r1926939.

Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023 at 11 a.m.

Have you noticed that you get enough sleep, but you’re still not feeling rested? Ready for a new concept? Sleep and rest are not the same thing. CommonHealth and VCU HR bring you a new way to think about what we need such as breaking rest needs into seven categories: physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, social, sensory and creative. Learn unique activities to help reduce the rest deficit. Register for the link in Talent@VCU or at: http://bit.ly/3DkZCpv

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

Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023 from noon to 1 p.m.

An established leader in the DEI area, Sesha Joi Moon, Ph.D. (B.A.’05/H&S; M.S.’08/GPA; Cert.’09/GPA), director of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion in the U.S. House of Representatives, will discuss via Zoom her career journey in the diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility realms and provides insight on how inclusivity intersects with public administration. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact David Slipher at slipherd@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_PMhGCzH7SO2uxt5M8YE2Kg#/registration.

Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023 from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Join Robert A. Winn, M.D., director of VCU Massey Cancer Center, and Judge John Thomas, the first African American justice to serve on the Supreme Court of Virginia, for a fireside chat and book signing event. Meet in the Thalhimer Conference Room, Goodwin Research Laboratory, 401 College St., and hear from the youngest and the first African American justice to serve on the Supreme Court of Virginia. Learn more about his new book, "The Poetic Justice." Those who register to attend will receive a free copy of the book. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact David Oglethorpe, Ed.D., at oglethorped@vcu.edu or visit https://web.cvent.com/event/1abb0491-e1d6-41d4-be53-ff58ba634add/summary.

Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023 from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m.

The Global Education Office will host a celebration of Lunar New Year traditions from Vietnam, South Korea and China. Snacks, traditional games, prizes and displays on the varying traditions of the countries will be available. GEO's Global Café is a student-centered event that highlights food and cultures from around the world, with a different theme every month. The event will be in the kitchen area, West Grace Street Student Housing – North, 830 W. Grace St. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Colleen Choate at choatecl@vcu.edu or visit https://cglink.me/2dV/r1926058.

Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023 from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

VCU Humanities Research Center will host a screening and discussion of the documentary “The Central Lunatic Asylum for the Colored Insane” with filmmaker and VCU Professor of Psychology Shawn Utsey, Ph.D. The event will be in the theater of the University Student Commons, 907 Floyd Ave. RSVP at the following URL.

For more information, contact Rani Sisavath at sisavathr@vcu.edu or visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSelraSdlOUCfMszMhRXO-WZ13JHXs9HEeGqjUo133-FoFWJCg/viewform.

Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023 from 5 p.m. to 6:15 p.m.

With February designated as both American Heart Month and Black History Month, now is an opportune time to call attention to rising cardiovascular disease mortality and the need to reduce health care disparities in the Black community. Join the VCU African American Alumni Council and Jovonni Spinner, Ph.D. (B.S.’02/H&S), founder and CEO of Beacon Public Health, for a conversation via Zoom about heart health and steps you can take now to prevent future heart disease. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Larry Powell at wlpowell@vcu.edu or (804) 828-8194 or visit https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fvcu.zoom.us%2Fwebinar%2Fregister%2F1216750973707%2FWN_lAPtAVUGTyGYnRTyLksK4Q%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR3HwFGfqW6yjpqtm8DZwJJ0vjz9zIoXZFq3W00cUMUTFidCAzk6fcBGX8g%23%2Fregistration&h=AT0mPXxAPO1UWQ6qoKLsMtSDXmAU5ozMvv-4EOOWkDTha5CAQ2pgJYrK_Iz8XV57Sel6DMYFqvXM8NSZ1kBWITNaMjuvgl-RNyRFuS_4wemx9ydUUWa79g7R9aWgAvgY&__tn__=-UK-R&c[0]=AT1ST0udODj6xq9iD9Q9ghf2QD8GYKL-20lOGBiV8zd0Yro3_Jl2eb9I1KY7OeqVLO4HSnkAxmqqw2fKTLR-e8od_6jfm2ClofcwN_KP1b6oD6C2PM8Pt6XP1rlM8NTlbIpbBvaK8EsrooHmH1rGQuoBONUtDScL1Bld-4Be9UrlV-sXdr9rNfXCS6fr4PZZNE3gWeuWfZNc.

Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023 at 6 p.m.

Join VCU School of Dentistry in celebrating Black History Month with a virtual discussion involving three of its African American alums, Rashondia Gaines, DDS; Rana Graham-Montaque, DDS and Monique M. Phipps, DDS. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact John Wallace at wallacej@vcu.edu or visit http://dentistry.vcu.edu.

Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Join the VCU School of Social Work and the Brothas in Social Work Collective for a free event featuring VCU alum Gary T. "Trey" Taylor (B.S.'11/H&S), M.S.W., LCSW. This online session will detail how field practicum, academic institutions and other workplaces can help foster inclusion and maximize potential. The Zoom link is https://vcussw.info/BISWC23

For more information, contact Sarah Burton-Everette at sswadvising@vcu.edu or visit https://socialwork.vcu.edu.

Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023 from noon to 1:15 p.m.

VCU Military Student Services will offer Green Zone training to members of the VCU community who want to learn more about the military student experience. The program, to be held in the SGA Council Chambers, University Student Commons, 907 Floyd Ave., trains faculty and staff to support veterans and their families as they transition to academic life, highlighting the strengths and unique issues that these students bring. Lunch will be provided and options will be offered after registration. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact William Morley at wemorley@vcu.edu or (804) 878-3469 or visit https://training.vcu.edu/course.aspx?processFlag=2&itemID=18120.

Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023 from noon to 1 p.m.

Resiliency is all about bouncing back. No matter what life throws at us, we can always learn tips and techniques to help us become more resilient. This seminar, presented by VCU HR and Anthem EAP, will leave participants feeling empowered that they have the knowledge to take the necessary steps to become more resilient. Register in Talent@VCU or at: http://bit.ly/3WT7WDA

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

Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023 from noon to 1 p.m.

Marshall Brooks, Ph.D., assistant professor, Family Medicine and Population Health, will discuss theories and concepts of social medicine and the use of qualitative research methods to evaluate these ideas. The virtual talk is part of the "Whetting Your Appetite for Research" seminar series hosted by VCU's C. Kenneth and Dianne Wright Center for Clinical and Translational Research. Questions: http://www.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/tZIkduGtpzMpEtIXElKcdC8tI4yGm47yejUh.

Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023 from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.

In recognition of Black History Month, VCU's Black Education Association and the School of Medicine’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion will host a panel to discuss the representation of Black faculty in academic medicine. The event will take place in person (Room 1009-1022, Molecular Medicine Research Building, 1220 E. Broad St.) and via Zoom. The Zoom link is https://vcuhealth.zoom.us/j/9265190506

For more information, contact Ashli Phillips at ashli.phillips@vcuhealth.org or visit https://medschool.vcu.edu/about/dei/.

Friday, Feb. 17, 2023 from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney and senior medical advisor to the CDC Office of the Associate Director for Policy and Strategy, Christa-Marie Singleton, M.D., M.P.H., will join Facts and Faith Fridays to provide updates from the City of Richmond and Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact David Oglethorpe at oglethorped@vcu.edu or visit https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAlce6sqT8rEtSnqo4cYE4eHJwca-NghmLM#/registration.

Friday, Feb. 17, 2023 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Shift Retail Lab at VCU provides an important space for student entrepreneurs to test their ideas through sales and customer feedback. The products and services at Shift vary from items that are ready to buy to ideas that need a little help. Feedback Friday is designed as a roundtable discussion with peers, community members and staff. Join us this month to become involved with the new VCU chapter of CEO (Collegiate Entrepreneurs Association), a student organization that believes that any student, regardless of academic discipline, can launch a business. The session will be at 1235 W. Broad St. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact LLoyd Young at youngel3@vcu.edu or visit https://connect.business.vcu.edu/register/Feedback-Feb17.

Monday, Feb. 20, 2023 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Join VCU's Global Education Office and the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs in Ballroom A, University Student Commons, 907 Floyd Ave., for Black and Abroad. This storytelling event will offer space for Black students and students of color to share their experiences studying, traveling and being abroad. This event is open to all students interested in discussing and reflecting on study and travel abroad through the lens of identity. In addition to desserts. GEO will raffle a $500 study abroad voucher at this event.

For more information, contact Alex Levy at levya@vcu.edu or (804) 828-5794 or visit https://vcu.studioabroad.com/index.cfm?FuseAction=Abroad.ViewLink&Parent_ID=324C7870-5056-BA1F-73413AB6255E54F0&Link_ID=231E2D14-D7E1-8767-A6BACD17164C7E0B.

Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023 at 7 p.m.

VCU’s Symphonic Wind Ensemble and Choral Collaboration, under the direction of Duane Coston and Christopher Hansen, Ph.D., will perform in a free concert at the Sonia Vlahcevic Concert Hall, W.E. Singleton Center for the Performing Arts, 922 Park Ave.

For more information, contact Christopher Hansen at hansenc3@vcu.edu.

Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023 from noon to 2 p.m.

SPARK Virginia kicks off in February and challenges innovators to respond to three questions about their inventions and formulate their best pitch in 24 hours. Throughout the 24-hour challenge period, participants will be active in interactive business model design workshops led by professional trainers, hear from industry experts about the future and tour cutting-edge labs. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact LLoyd Young at youngel3@vcu.edu or visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/spark-rva-innovation-challenge-tickets-515112694937.

Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023 from noon to 2 p.m.

Shift Retail Lab at VCU, 1235 W. Broad St., provides an important space for student entrepreneurs to test their ideas through sales and customer feedback. The products and services at Shift vary from items that are ready to buy to ideas that need a little help. Shelfies have about a month to showcase and test their ideas and need your help. Join students and alumni at this market to purchase their products and/or give them invaluable insight that will help take their idea to the next level. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact LLoyd Young at youngel3@vcu.edu or visit https://connect.business.vcu.edu/register/Shelfie-Feb18.

Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023 from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

VCU School of Medicine's Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and the Black Education Association will host a screening and discussion of the documentary. The film explores the history of the Central State Lunatic Asylum for the Colored Insane (now known as Central State Hospital), which opened in Petersburg in 1869 as the first psychiatric hospital in the U.S. to exclusively treat African American patients. The screening will be in the Court End Ballroom, Jonah L. Larrick Student Center, 900 Turpin St. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Ashli Phillips at ashli.phillips@vcuhealth.org or visit https://forms.office.com/r/TFEeFu4Y8W.

Monday, Mar. 13, 2023 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

VCU Performance Management Group's Supervisors and Managers Boot Camp is open for registration. This five-day course is an interactive sequence of topics, tips and tools focused on developing leadership skills while increasing knowledge and confidence in solving the challenges that come with supervising others. The class will be held at Westover at Maymont. Questions: Visit http://www.pmg.vcu.edu

For more information, contact Deborah Taminger at dktaminger@vcu.edu or visit https://pmg.vcu.edu/professional-development/smb/.

Equality VCU and the Queer Research and Advocacy Center are requesting nominations for the 2023 Burnside Watstein LGBTQIA Award. The award honors faculty, staff, students and community members whose work has made a difference for the LGBTQIA+ community at VCU or in the broader Richmond community. All members of the VCU community are invited to nominate individuals they feel are deserving of the award. Nominations should be submitted no later than Feb. 26 at the following URL.

For more information, contact Dae Newman at newmanad@vcu.edu or (804) 828-1371 or visit https://forms.gle/HsgUw9PK44Zd3WFA9.

VCU Alumni is seeking nominations for the 2023 10 Under 10 awards, which recognize +achievements by alumni who have earned their first VCU degree within the past 10 years. Nominations can be made by any person or group affiliated with VCU. Nominees must have graduated with their first degree from VCU between 2013 and 2022. Nominees are evaluated on their professional success, community contributions or commitment to maintaining a lifelong relationship with the university. This award recognizes accomplishments of the individual after graduation from VCU, although their student experience can be one factor in their nomination. Consideration is also given to alumni who embody VCU’s core values, have a unique or distinctive life experience or career and represent VCU’s diverse alumni population. Questions: https://www.vcualumni.org/events/10-under-10/ Make a nomination at the following URL by Wednesday, March 1.

For more information, contact Jared Kline at klinejc2@vcu.edu or visit https://vcuportal.questionpro.com/a/TakeSurvey?tt=JmX7n%2BQZjdgECHrPeIW9eQ%3D%3D.

VCUDine offers a number of February events at Shafer Court Dining Center, 810 Cathedral Place. The events include: Food Trends Thursdays (through Feb. 23, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.); Valentine’s Day BYO Snack Mix (Feb. 14: 11 a.m.-1 p.m.); Charcuterie (Feb. 14: 11 a.m.- close); Seafood Friday (Feb. 24: 11 a.m.- close). For more events and pop-ups, follow @VCU_Dining on Instagram.

For more information, contact Lauren Hay at dining@vcu.edu.

Registration is open from March 12-23 for 6v6 Basketball and 9v9 Outdoor Soccer Leagues. The season will be March 26-April 13. Open, Women’s, Men’s Recreational and Men’s Competitive Leagues will be offered. RecWell offers a $10 intramural semester pass which allows students and members to register for all intramural sports.

For more information, contact Alex Bruman at brumana@vcu.edu or visit https://recwell.vcu.edu/play/intramural-sports/.

RecWell’s Outdoor Adventure Program March trips include a paddle and paint day trip on March 18, a backpacking weekend in the Blue Ridge Mountains on March 18-19 and a bike tour Weekend along the Capital Trail to camp at VCU’s Rice Rivers Center on March 25-26. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Joey Parent at outdoors@vcu.edu or visit https://recwell.vcu.edu/play/outdoor-adventure/trips-and-activities/.

Take a break with RecWell on Mondays and Wednesdays from noon to 12:30 p.m. for weekly virtual guided meditation with Brenna. Register on Rams Connect.

For more information, contact Brenna Denicola at denicolabr@vcu.edu.

VCU Recreation and Well-Being (RecWell) is conducting the National College Health Assessment online survey. Selected students will receive an email to their VCU accounts with a survey link. Surveys can take up to 30 minutes to complete. All who complete this confidential survey will have a chance to win one of five RecWell massage therapy or personal training packages or one of 30 60-minute massages or Fitness consultations.

For more information, contact Trisha Saunders at trsaunders@vcu.edu or visit http://recwell.vcu.edu.

VCU Libraries, in support of open and affordable course materials, reminds faculty that a new round of VIVA Open Course Grants is open for applications. These grants empower Virginia faculty with the resources and time they need to redesign courses by swapping expensive course materials for open, no-cost or library options. Applications are due by March 6. Need help applying? Contact: Jessica Kirschner at kirschnerj2@vcu.edu.

For more information, contact Sue Robinson at srobinson26@vcu.edu or visit https://www.library.vcu.edu/about/news/2023-news/faculty-apply-by-march-6-for-state-grants-to-support-no-cost-course-materials-and-innovative-pedagogy.html.

VCU's Global Education Office is seeking homestay volunteers from March 24-April 1 as the office hosts a delegation from Ukraine through the Open World Leadership Center Program. The group will be learning ways to locate, identify and remove explosive ordinance in Ukraine. Complete the form at the following URL by Friday, Feb. 17.

For more information, contact Nichole Dorton at nldorton@vcu.edu or (804) 827-9331.

Wondering about the proper business etiquette for celebrating Valentine's Day at work? Learn what's acceptable and what's not in this month's Integrity and Compliance Office blog. View the guidelines at the following URL.

For more information, contact Kim McQuillen at mcquillenka@vcu.edu or (804) 828-2028 or visit https://blogs.vcu.edu/ico/2023/02/08/be-mine-and-other-things-you-should-never-say-at-work/.

This is a research study aiming to receive feedback on a sexual health intervention designed for couples. To be eligible to participate, you have to identity as Black or African American and be 18 to 35 years of age. The study requires participation in a 120-minute session and completion of a questionnaire. Amazon gift card compensation is available. Participation in this research study is voluntary.

For more information, contact Kristina Hood, Ph.D., at progresslab@vcu.edu or visit https://progress.vcu.edu/participate/.

Be part of history - helping us understand how to leave COVID behind. The VCU School of Nursing is leading the RECOVER project to understand long-term effects of viral illnesses such as COVID in young people. What is the RECOVER project? The goal is to understand the long-term health effects of viral illnesses like COVID in young people aged 0-25 years old. Participants will be compensated for their time. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Lindsey Stevenson at recoverkidsva@vcu.edu or (804) 664-6487 or visit http://bit.ly/RECOVERkids.