12 p.m. to 1 p.m.

VCU's Department of Family Medicine and Population Health, Division of Epidemiology, will celebrate National Public Health Week April 3-9 with a noontime speaker series via Zoom today, April 3 through Wednesday, April 5. Registration is required.

For more information, contact Jeny Beausoliel at jenifer.beausoliel@vcuhealth.org or visit https://familymedicine.vcu.edu.

Tuesday, Apr. 4, 2023 from noon to 1 p.m.

Join faculty and staff from the VCU School of Nursing and VCU da Vinci Center for Innovation to learn about a new graduate certificate program that will make it simpler for those with an interest in innovation to develop products and solutions to challenges facing the health care industry. The certificate will provide opportunities for students to advance their knowledge and skills in identifying problems and implementing solutions to foster high-quality, safe and accessible health care. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Allison Schumacher at schumacheran@vcu.edu or visit https://connect.business.vcu.edu/register/HCInfo-Apr4.

Wednesday, Apr. 5, 2023 from 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Assisted living administrators make a huge impact on the lives of many. They are highly paid and in demand. VCU Gerontology is the top choice for those looking to join this field. The university has licensed Assisted Living Facility Administrators who are also faculty members. VCU Gerontology has the only NAB accredited degree program earning a Master’s in Gerontology with an Assisted Living Administration emphasis in the United States.

For more information, contact Catherine MacDonald at macdonaldcs@vcu.edu or (571) 484-4511 or visit https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAscO2hpz4iGNB8XwaqQIitPqPhWD8YNqEb.

Wednesday, Apr. 5, 2023 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The First-Year Rising Ceremony, presented via Zoom by First and Second Year Experiences and Transitions, is a culminating event that takes place at the end of VCU students’ first year to honor them for their dedication, fortitude and tenacity as they rise to their sophomore year. This event is open to the entire VCU community and all first-year students and their families/friends. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact First and Second Year Experiences and Transitions at fyesye@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYsfumsqzIpGNzaDvwF0_z-eEzi_Qq5_qRQ#/registration.

Thursday, Apr. 6, 2023 at noon

The VCU Robertson School will host two virtual informational sessions on the school's graduate programs on Thursday, April 6 at noon-12:30 p.m. and 5-5:30 p.m. Questions: https://robertson.vcu.edu/academics/graduate/ Click on 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.

Thursday, Apr. 6, 2023 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Join VCU da Vinci Center for a virtual Design Thinking workshop. There is an increasing emphasis on skills such as design thinking, problem-solving, adaptability and empathy to current as well as future job roles. VCU da Vinci Center is offering the opportunity to earn an “Introduction to Design Thinking” credential via a credly badge that can be posted on LinkedIn. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Tyrone Frye at fryetl@vcu.edu or visit https://connect.business.vcu.edu/register/dt-apr6.

Friday, Apr. 7, 2023 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Come to Shift Retail Lab, 1235 W. Broad St., to watch Shelfies pitch their ideas and compete to win a gift card. Join team members from Capital One and the VCU da Vinci Center for a networking event designed to help student entrepreneurs at VCU. Capital One supports student innovation and entrepreneurship by being the title sponsor for VCU Demo Day 2023 as well as sponsoring all Spring 2023 Shelfies at Shift Retail Lab. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Tyrone Frye at fryetl@vcu.edu or visit https://connect.business.vcu.edu/register/shelfie-pitchcomp-apr7.

Friday, Apr. 7, 2023 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Join VCUarts and The Anderson to celebrate the opening of Round 1 of the 2023 VCUarts MFA Thesis Exhibitions with a reception at 907 1/2 W. Franklin St. Round 1, on view April 7–21, will feature installations from 11 MFA students in the Craft/Material Studies, Kinetic Imaging, Painting + Printmaking, Photography + Film, and Sculpture + Extended Media departments.

For more information, contact Monica Kinsey at kinseym@vcu.edu or visit https://arts.vcu.edu/community/news/2023-mfa-thesis-exhibition/.

Monday, Apr. 10, 2023 from 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Join VCU HR and Fidelity to learn about key Social Security claiming ages and how your benefit is calculated. This virtual session is a quick overview followed by Q&A. Register in Talent@VCU or at: http://bit.ly/42NtRjN

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

Monday, Apr. 10, 2023 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Terry Sejnowski, Ph.D., pioneer of neurobiology and Director of the Computational Neurobiology Lab at the Salk Institute, discusses AI and Large Language Models' capacity for exhibiting signs of intelligence and explores the question: AI can talk the talk, but can it walk the walk? The session will be held in the auditorium of the Institute for Contemporary Art at the Markel Center, 601 W. Broad St. Questions: Visit https://researchweeks.vcu.edu/. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Lydia Klinger at researchweeks@vcu.edu. or visit https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/6759c26e0b1549f193252a9b7ed734e8.

Wednesday, Apr. 12, 2023 from 11 a.m. to noon

The Central Virginia Society of Clinical Research Associates Chapter together with the C. Kenneth and Dianne Wright Center for Clinical and Translational Research will host a meeting via Zoom. Jeannie Farnsworth, MS, BS, CCRP, MRQA, oncology clinical scientist from ICON will discuss Self-Monitoring for Quality Execution of the Protocol. SOCRA CE will be available for those attending the meeting. Registration is required. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Shirley Helm at shelm@vcu.edu or (804) 241-7340 or visit https://vcu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwufuCgqjgqGtEmkceO-xS5xGzlw1YIl0Nz.

Wednesday, Apr. 12, 2023 from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.

It's never too late to learn how to ride a bike. RamBikes can help with all the fundamentals: kicking off, getting your balance, pedaling, stopping and everything in-between. Some bikes will be available or bring your own. Workshops are held at RamBikes, 1106 W. Broad St.

For more information, contact Sera Erickson at rambikes@vcu.edu or (804) 828-2453 or visit https://bikes.vcu.edu/events/.

Thursday, Apr. 13, 2023 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

An opening reception for the annual Tiny Shiny jewelry sale and exhibition, which showcases works by students in VCUarts' Crafts/Materials, will be held at Dransfield Jewelers, 1308 E. Cary St. The sale and exhibition will be held 11-6 p.m. Thursday and Friday, April 13 and 14, and noon-4 p.m. Saturday, April 15. Bracelets, brooches, rings and more will be available for purchase.

For more information, contact Chelsea Rowe at roweca2@vcu.edu or visit https://www.dransfieldjewelers.com/news/tiny-shiny.

Thursday, Apr. 13, 2023 at 7 p.m.

For more than two decades, Blackbird: An Online Journal of Literature and the Arts has been one of the web's premiere literary magazines, earning accolades and attracting an expansive readership for its diverse range of award-winning and emerging writers. As the journal undergoes a transition in advance of its late 2023 relaunch, VCU Libraries and the MFA in Creative Writing Program will devote two days — April 13 and 14 — to celebrate its achievements by featuring a select group of Blackbird alumni.

For more information, contact Ryan Pander at rbpander@vcu.edu or visit https://www.library.vcu.edu/about/events/2022-2023/blackbird-celebration-.html.

Thursday, Apr. 13, 2023 at 7 p.m.

Interested in a musical experience? Join the Voices of the Water: Choral Music Celebrating the Beauty and Power of Water, VCU’s Spring All Choir Concert under the direction of Christopher Hansen, Ph.D., and professor Lisa Fusco. The concert will be held in 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.

Friday, Apr. 14, 2023 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.

The Commons and the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs will host the 2023 Intercultural Festival at Monroe Park. This annual event, which dates to 2003, celebrates the cultural diversity of VCU's campus and the surrounding community. The festival showcases activities, crafts, food from local vendors and performances by student and community groups.

For more information, contact Joshua Lockhart at lockhart@vcu.edu.

Tuesday, Apr. 25, 2023 from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Join a panel from the VCU School of Education to examine the challenges and opportunities related to the current and potential uses of AI technologies in education, including how AI will impact teaching and learning, teacher preparation programs and educational research. The panel will also examine the ethical considerations and effect on the implications of AI technologies for educational equity and the future of education. RSVP at the following URL.

For more information, contact Laura O'Brien at lbobrien@vcu.edu or visit http://vcuschoolofeducation.info/AI-Panel.

Va-LEND (Virginia Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities) is a virtual, interdisciplinary, graduate-level training program that helps people share ideas and learn leadership skills to improve the health and lives of children with disabilities and their families. Trainees complete classes, clinical observations, policy activities, a family mentorship experience and a customized leadership project. Apply at the following URL.

For more information, contact Jackie R. Brock at valend@vcu.edu or visit https://virginialend.partnership.vcu.edu/.

We need your help encouraging upcoming May 2023 graduates to complete the VCU First Destination Survey. The survey is open to undergraduate seniors and graduate/professional students completing their degree programs. The resulting data helps VCU improve student services and recruitment. Graduating students who complete the survey will be eligible to win exciting prizes. See the survey at the following URL.

For more information, contact Danielle Pearles at ddpearles@vcu.edu or visit http://tiny.cc/VCUFDS23.

VCU's Student Services Career Community leadership team will hold its annual conference Monday, May 22 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. in the University Student Commons, 907 Floyd Ave. The conference will showcase how the members of the Student Services Career Community can understand each other's work, connect cross-departmentally and best support students. Register in Talent@VCU or at the following URL.

For more information, contact Ishmeal Allensworth at allensworthi@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.csod.com/ui/lms-learning-details/app/event/c54bbfee-0a11-4267-a4db-f46b74202a3f?session=d7c1d6d5-5d4d-4d1f-b8c1-122062faa8d7.

RecWell Health Promotion is expanding its EatWell map to MCV Campus. The EatWell interactive map connects students with food options near them. Add your favorite nearby restaurants by April 11 to be entered to win a free T-shirt. The survey is at: https://forms.gle/QrpmUKRLTkgufiyB8.

For more information, contact Dalena Le at ledm4@vcu.edu or visit https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=1Kp-ZvXCN3RvvTJLc4Z3qOoNgcaihDpk&ll=37.54748573726152%2C-77.4535973046463&z=15.

A draft of the new Communicating With Government Officials policy is available for public comment until Monday, April 17. Visit the following URL and click on "Policies Open for Public Comment" to access the draft policy.

For more information, contact Jason Block at blockj2@vcu.edu or visit http://vcu.public.doctract.com.

The goal of Katie’s Art Project is to connect children who have a life-threatening illness with artists to create a lasting legacy through art. Follow the group on Instagram (@katiesartproject_vcu) to learn more or join the eboard.

For more information, contact Meena Kakani at kakanim@vcu.edu or (571) 268-7685.

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/.