3 p.m.

This general information session is geared toward all undergraduates who are new to VCU this fall – first-year and transfer students – but all are welcome. Learn about the NSO, the (inter)nationally competitive awards the organization advises for and how to make yourself a great candidate. The session will be held in Room 1210, 701 E. Grace St. or online. Register for the Zoom link at the following URL.

For more information, contact Jeff Wing at jawing@vcu.edu or visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfGRfGJQ8mI3C6A4B0_ISf7retLl1lbEaqWqtfg3f92EWK23g/viewform.

7 p.m.

VCUarts and the International Game Developers Association will host a game-design conversation with industry veteran Geoffrey Zatkin and local developers. Zatkin is a game designer, industry executive and serial entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience in the video game industry. One of the original designers of EverQuest, co-founder of game data giant EEDAR and game development studio Experiment 7, Zatkin is also Extra Credits studio director and game designer in residence. The event will be in Room 250, James Branch Cabell Library, 901 Park Ave.

For more information, contact Jason Bennett at jebennett@vcu.edu.

Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023 at 1 p.m.

The fall and winter seasons come with their own unique safety hazards. Join educational specialist Shelly Clary from the Virginia Poison Center and VCU HR in a virtual session to learn tips and how to stay safe and healthy when temperatures start to fall. Register in Talent@VCU or at https://bit.ly/474UQIS

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

Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023 from noon to 1 p.m.

Sarah Birckhead from the Virginia Department of Health will discuss the health effects of tobacco products and strategies to help you quit. The session will be held in the Health and Wellness Library, Gateway Building, 1200 E. Marshall St. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Jackson Wright at wrightjc4@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.libcal.com/event/11127869.

Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023 at 12:30 p.m.

Neta Bomani will present work as part of the Department of Graphic Design’s Objects + Methods Lecture Series. Bomani is a learner and educator interested in understanding the practice of reading and parsing information as a collaborative process between human and non-human computers. Bomani's work combines social practices, archives, oral histories, computation and publishing to create artifacts that engage abolitionist, black feminist and DIY philosophies. The presentation will be in the theater of the University Student Commons, 907 Floyd Ave.

For more information, contact David Shields at dwshields@vcu.edu.

Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023 at 2 p.m.

The Point Flagship Scholarship empowers LGBTQ undergraduate and graduate students to access and succeed in their education at accredited four-year institutions in the United States. Flagship scholarship recipients receive financial support, access to multiple leadership development programs, mentorship or coaching and the support of a community of scholars and alumni. The session will be in Room 1210, 701 W. Grace St., and online. Register for the Zoom link at the following URL.

For more information, contact Jeff Wing at jawing@vcu.edu or visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdgaCN8IqLZp-16jzaXZoqqFTX2UrZ7wY_8OceOafl7khygOQ/viewform.

Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023 from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.

The Graduate Certificate in Teaching: Elementary Education prepares students to become teachers in high-needs/hard-to-staff elementary schools. Students will gain an in-depth understanding of science, social studies and mathematics pedagogy and content. The program provides field experiences during a one-year residency to expose students to classroom teaching and classroom management.

For more information, contact Jenna Lenhardt at soeinfo@vcu.edu.

Friday, Nov. 3, 2023 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

VCU's Division of Community Engagement will host an annual gathering of community members, community organizations, VCU faculty, staff, students, alums and other stakeholders for a day of learning, networking and skill development. The event will be held in the Richmond Salons, University Student Commons, 907 Floyd Ave. Questions: https://community.vcu.edu/events/connect-conference/ Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Shari Garmise at garmiseso@vcu.edu or visit https://forms.gle/rFtoWPPYpZJfrCER9.

Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023 at 9:30 a.m.

The 2023 Walk to End Alzheimer's will be taking place at Libbie Mill Midtown. Rams4Memory will provide rides from the Commons Loop from 8:45-9:45 a.m. Contact the following email address or Rams4memory on Groupme or Instagram if you would like a ride on Saturday. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Krishal Somasundaram at Rams4mem.vcu@gmail.com or visit https://act.alz.org/site/TR/Walk2023/VA-GreaterRichmond?pg=entry&fr_id=16825.

Monday, Nov. 6, 2023 at 7 p.m.

VCU men's basketball will host their first game of the 2023-24 season against McNeese State in the Stuart C. Siegel Center, 1200 W. Broad St. VCU faculty and staff can purchase discounted tickets for this game at the following URL. Fans who arrive early will receive a VCU jersey rally towel.

For more information, contact Kylie Flickinger at flickingerka@vcu.edu or visit https://offer.fevo.com/mcneese-state-9tgxarr-2e5facc?fevoUri=mcneese-state-9tgxarr-2e5facc%2F.

Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2023 from noon to 2 p.m.

Wednesday, Nov. 8 is National First-Generation College Celebration Day. Representatives from VCU's offices and campus resources will be at the Commons Plaza to showcase their support for first-gen students. Gather information and enjoy free hot chocolate with flavor and topping options. First-gen students can pick up a free copy of Alejandra Campoverdi's book "First Gen: A Memoir" when you sign up for the spring book club (limited supplies).

For more information, contact Elizabeth Bambacus at bambacuses@vcu.edu or visit https://youfirst.vcu.edu/resources/first-gen-week/.

Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2023 at noon

Join VCU HR and Taylor Crouch, Ph.D., Department of Psychology, to learn how compassion, mental health and wellness can connect to strengthen our self-image and relationships with others – and what we can do to love ourselves and others more. Register in Talent@VCU or at the following URL.

For more information, contact Cindi Phares at cphares@vcu.edu or visit https://bit.ly/46G7kaf.

Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023 at 5:30 p.m.

University Counseling Services and Survivor Support Services will sponsor an interactive roundtable discussion about online dating. It focuses on safety, setting expectations and asking the right questions when meeting people online. Food will be available at this event, which will be held in Suite 238, University Counseling Services, University Student Commons, 907 Floyd Ave. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Deanie Barrion at barrionk@vcu.edu or visit https://cglink.me/2dV/r1930678.

Check out the latest updates in your VCU Google Workspace account, which includes new features for Google Chat, Google Meet and Google Docs, Sheets and Slides.

For more information, contact Doctor Gee at drgee@vcu.edu or visit https://blogs.vcu.edu/drgee/2023/10/23/google-updates-recap-for-august-october-15-2023/.

Applications are now available for 2024 cohorts of the Minority Political Leadership and HIGHER Ground programs in The Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute, L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs.

For more information, contact Ron Jones at gehli@vcu.edu or (804) 827-1169 or visit http://gehli.vcu.edu.

Table massage promotes a healthy and active life, relieves stress and muscle tension and assists in rehabilitating an injury. RecWell’s licensed massage therapists will discuss any client needs and will implement a customized treatment. Open to VCU students, RecWell members and faculty/staff nonmembers. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Jess Norman at massage@vcu.edu or visit https://recwell.vcu.edu/thrive/massage-therapy/.

VCU's December Commencement exercises will take place at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 9 in the Stuart C. Siegel Center, 1200 W. Broad St. Faculty participating in the ceremony will wear academic apparel. Regalia must be ordered at your respective campus by Monday, Nov. 20. For ordering information, visit the following link.

For more information, contact University Events at UNIVevents@vcu.edu or visit https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=smDbY9Z-rUGsCcRdJUchBTfzBlTY8bZLoO0XDMPP9dtUOFNKTU9TUjU5RDY1N1U0WEdXVlM2S01JQy4u.

VCU Continuing and Professional Education will begin another live-online cohort of the VCU Paralegal Certificate Program on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024 from 6-9 p.m. This six-month noncredit program prepares professionals to enter Virginia’s growing legal job market. Reach out to our student adviser at ocpe@vcu.edu, and learn about prerequisites, available discounts and the benefits of exploring paralegal education.

For more information, contact Katherine Coates at ocpe@vcu.edu or visit https://ocpe.vcu.edu/paralegal/.

VCU HR has posted their November Employee Well-Being Programs on RamStrong. Check them out on RamStrong at the following URL or in Talent@VCU.

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

Research has shown that consciously practicing gratitude can reduce feelings of stress and anxiety and improves physical and mental health. VCU HR Work Life and VCU Employee Health have teamed up to offer a gratitude challenge for the month of November. Prizes will be available from VCU RecWell, Barnes & Noble’s Bookstore, Virginia Credit Union, Gratitude Journals from University Counseling, Romancing the Stone and more as well as RamStrong T-shirts. Sign up at the following URL.

For more information, contact Cindi Phares at cphares@vcu.edu or visit https://ramstrong.vcu.edu/events/upcoming-events-for-employees/.

RVA Views (a VCU research group) is conducting a survey to understand the evolving thoughts and behaviors of people, especially post the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Your insights will play a pivotal role in enhancing our understanding of its societal impacts. Participants can choose to be entered into a drawing to win one of six $50 gift cards. RSVP at the following URL.

For more information, contact Jodie Ferguson at rvaviews@vcu.edu or visit https://vcubusiness.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6xR57Xw1B6uq4Ga.

To mark the opening of its new Reflection Room, VCU Libraries seeks visual works of art for a curated exhibit for the large screen on the front facade of James Branch Cabell Library, 901 Park Ave. Works for “Reflections” should capture, suggest or evoke feelings of reflection – meditation, inner peace, reverence, silence, contemplation, deliberation, calm or beauty. Faculty, staff, students, alumni or local artists are invited to participate.

For more information, contact Sue Robinson at srobinson26@vcu.edu or (804) 591-5865 or visit https://blogs.vcu.edu/librarystories/2023/10/30/submit-artwork-to-reflections-exhibit/.

Nominations for the VCU Staff Senate Awards for Excellence are now open. The awards provide the exposure and recognition of the efforts and achievements of VCU and VCU Health staff. Make a nomination by Thursday, Dec. 21 at the following URL.

For more information, contact Andrea Wight at staffsenate@vcu.edu or visit https://staffsenate.vcu.edu/initiatives/awards-for-excellence/.

Each year the VCU Alcohol and Other Drugs Policy is shared with faculty and staff. This notification includes helpful resources that are available.

For more information, contact Josh Skillman at skillmanj2@vcu.edu or (317) 908-9617 or visit https://blogs.vcu.edu/studentaffairs/index.php/annual-notification-of-vcu-alcohol-and-other-drugs-policy-3/.

The second annual report by Equity and Access Services includes a year in review summary of significant EAS milestones and updates from ADA and Accessibility Services, Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action, Protection of Minors and Title IX offices for the 2022-2023 fiscal year. View the annual report at https://bit.ly/EASEOY23

For more information, contact Cleopatra Magwaro at magwaroc@vcu.edu or visit http://equity.vcu.edu.