10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Join Technology Services for the annual VCU Tech Fair at the University Student Commons, 907 Floyd Ave. The fair will feature lots of cool stuff and lots of cool tech. The free event is for all students, faculty and staff. Staff will be present to answer questions, showcase technologies and share how each department supports the VCU community. Enjoy hands-on demonstrations from vendors, free bag lunches and free giveaways.

For more information, contact Technology Services at tsengage@vcu.edu or visit https://techfair.vcu.edu.

11 a.m.

Exams getting to you? Want to blow off some steam? Swing by SHIFT Retail Lab, 1235 W. Broad St., to scavenge up some laughs and spooktacular fun. Spooky Shift is a week-long series of events filled with Halloween-themed fun, games and treats. See additional activities at the following URL.

For more information, contact Caslin Applewhite at applewhiteec@vcu.edu or visit https://shiftretail.vcu.edu/events/.

12 p.m.

Each month the Leadership Career Community will host a virtual speaker series that showcases stories of leadership wins and woes from leaders across the VCU campus. Spend your lunch hour with three new speakers who will share their Leadership #FAIL stories. Each speaker will have 10 minutes to present; the rest of the hour will be an open forum for all participants to discuss and network. Sign up at the following URL if you are interested in speaking at one of the story hours.

For more information, contact Lloyd Young at youngel3@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.csod.com/ui/lms-learning-details/app/event/f5374da7-c297-402e-93b3-b109e5fbd069?session=fc880867-1d82-4975-b87c-edf0ed62bf75.

2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Intended for undergraduates and current graduate students in STEM fields. Learn about RISE, a three-month research internship in Germany (working language is English), and SMART, a Department of Defense scholarship that provides funding for tuition and summer research internships. The Department of Defense National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate (NDSEG) Fellowship is awarded annually to U.S. citizens pursuing doctoral degrees in STEM fields. The session will be held in Room 1210, NSO conference room, 701 W. Grace St., or online. Register at the following URL for the Zoom link or recording.

For more information, contact Jeff Wing at jawing@vcu.edu or visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfHYBsGxDTyCU02ko-mJ1wZikax5YR2XY8Pfn-aUCV5Z2OgNg/viewform.

4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Camp Kesem, a nonprofit organization that supports children through and beyond a parents' cancer, will offer pumpkin painting and hot chocolate on the lawn near the Compass. Every summer, the organization hosts a camp for the kids and makes it completely free for them. Events like this and donations help offset the costs. Donations may be made at the following URL.

For more information, contact Vinisha at velminetiv@vcu.edu or visit https://donate.kesem.org/team/526340.

5 p.m.

The VCU Writing Center Writing Club will meet in Room 205, James Branch Cabell Library, 901 Park Ave. The Writing Club is a welcoming space for students to join a community of peers who enjoy writing and want to enhance their confidence in their own writing process.

For more information, contact Trey Burnart Hall at hallbr@vcu.edu or visit https://writing.vcu.edu/calendar/.

7 p.m.

Men's Multicultural Collective will host an NBA Tip-Off Watch Party in the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs, Suite 215, University Student Commons, 907 Floyd Ave., to celebrate the first game of the NBA regular season in which the Lakers will take on the Nuggets. Pizza and wings will be available. RSVP on Ramsconnect at the following URL.

For more information, contact Jair Lecky at leckyjj@vcu.edu or visit https://cglink.me/2dV/r1928991.

Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023 from noon to 12:30 p.m.

Take a break from the noise to find a quiet reflection in the middle of your day with guided meditation, brought to you by VCU HR and VCU RecWell. This meditation is suitable for all levels of practice. Register in Talent@VCU or at: https://bit.ly/46unGCs

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

Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023 from noon to 1:30 p.m.

Come learn about LGBTQIA+ concepts, ask questions and discuss how gender norms, homophobia and transphobia impact Men of Color. Food will be provided. The session will be held in the SGA Senate Chambers, University Student Commons, 907 Floyd Ave. RSVP at the following URL.

For more information, contact Beck Oh at ohrn@vcu.edu or visit https://cglink.me/2dV/r1928749.

Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023 from noon to 1 p.m.

Join VCU's School of Education for a virtual session about a doctoral program that offers engaging and collaborative learning designed for working professionals leading in a variety of organizations, including K12, higher education, nonprofit and public sectors. Questions will be answered about VCU's Ed.D. in Leadership, a three-year, action-oriented program that helps apply theory, skills and research to real-world challenges. Questions: Contact the following email address.

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

Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023 from 12:05 p.m. to 12:50 p.m.

Join VCU Toastmasters Fall Open House to learn how Toastmasters can help improve your public speaking and build leadership skills. Meet with the group in person (Room 106, College of Engineering West Hall, 601 W. Main St.) or virtually (https://vcu.zoom.us/j/82921531244).

For more information, contact Charleyne Kelley at clkelley@vcu.edu or (804) 828-2093 or visit https://www.vcutoastmasters.com.

Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023 at 12:30 p.m.

VCU's Department of Craft/Material Studies will present a visiting speaker lecture by Rachael Arauz entitled “The Craft and Materials of Curatorial Thinking” in the auditorium of the Institute for Contemporary Art at the Markel Center, 601 W. Broad St. Arauz is an independent curator of modern and contemporary art with a Ph.D. in art history from the University of Pennsylvania. She has organized exhibitions and contributed to museum catalogues internationally.

For more information, contact Emmy Garcia at garciaem2@vcu.edu or visit https://arts.vcu.edu/event/rachael-arauz-visiting-speaker-lecture/.

Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023 at 5 p.m.

Learn about the Ph.D. program in VCU's Health Services Organization and Research at a virtual informational session hosted by the university's Department of Health Administration. Meet program faculty and staff and learn about faculty, funding and more for Fall 2024 admission. Register for the Zoom link at the following URL.

For more information, contact Cameron Parkins at parkinsc@vcu.edu or visit https://ha.chp.vcu.edu/programs/hsor-phd-program/.

Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023 from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Learn more about the School of Education program that works toward creating more equitable, inclusive schools and societies through leadership and policy. The dissertation is a rigorous culminating tool for research, advocacy and change within educational organizations and endeavors.

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

Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

The Research, Assessment and Evaluation concentration of the Ph.D. in Education offers training in advanced educational research methodologies and applied experiences across a variety of educational systems and contexts. Faculty and students engage across a range of research areas including social network analysis, machine learning, mentoring in higher education, STEM education, program evaluation, educational assessment, critical quantitative methodologies, QuantCrit, and queer studies in education. Questions: Email the following address.

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

Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

VCU's Robertson School will host an informational session during VCU's virtual Graduate Open House for prospective students to learn more about the graduate programs. Questions: https://robertson.vcu.edu/academics/graduate/ Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Alexandra Chapman at chapmanam3@vcu.edu or visit https://bit.ly/RegisterVCUOpenHouse.

Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

VCU's Office of Multicultural Student Affairs will host a celebration to close out LGBTQIA+ history month. The event, open to all LGBTQIA+ students at VCU, will feature drag performers, a costume contest, a DJ and sweet treats. The event will be in Commonwealth Ballrooms A and B, University Student Commons, 907 Floyd Ave. RSVP at the following URL.

For more information, contact Beck Oh at omsalgbtqia@vcu.edu or visit https://cglink.me/2dV/r1928560.

Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2023 from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

VCU Telecommunications Services will offer virtual training on The Avaya Workplace and MyE911 apps, which allows customers to extend their office number to their remote work site. The Avaya Workplace app is ideal for remote workers. Callers can reach remote workers on any device by calling their work telephone number, and when placing a call the caller party will see their work number and not their mobile number. The sessions are open to all VCU and VCU Health associates. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Wayne L. Johnson at wljohnson@vcu.edu or (804) 828-4400 or visit https://training.vcu.edu/.

Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2023 from noon to 1 p.m.

It’s the spooky season, a time for candy and crafts. This Halloween visit the Health and Wellness Library, VCU Health Gateway Building, 1200 E. Marshall St., Ground Floor, Room G-112 and join Collections Care Librarian and Conservator Nora Bloch, who will lead a Halloween-themed craft making program. Registration is required. Register at https://vcu.libcal.com/event/11129489

For more information, contact Jackson Wright at wrightjc4@vcu.edu or (804) 828-2432 or visit https://www.vcuhealth.org/for-your-health/health-and-wellness-library.

Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2023 at noon

VCU's Massey Cancer Center will host a conversation about readers' experiences with the VCU Common Book, “Seek You: A Journey Through American Loneliness.” The event will be moderated by Tremayne D. Robertson, director for diversity, equity and inclusion, VCU Massey Cancer Center. Light refreshments and raffle giveaways will be available. The book is included with free registration but does not need to be finished to participate. The event will be held at the Goodwin Research Laboratory - Thalhimer Conference Room, 401 College St. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Marianne Johnson at johnsonm41@vcu.edu or visit https://cvent.me/9OnAgA.

Friday, Nov. 10, 2023 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

VCU's College of Humanities and Sciences Leadership Council will present the Holidays Around The World event in Rooms C and D, University Student Commons, 907 Floyd Ave. Learn about the diversity of the world's cultures through student organizations like the Student Organization for Caribbean Awareness (SOCA) and LatinX as well as raise funds for the Ronald McDonald House. Entrance is $4 to see the exhibits and $2 to buy additional raffle tickets for prices from Christian's Pizza, Carytown Cupcakes, &pizza, Virginia Book Company and more. Follow ticket instructions on RamsConnect!.

For more information, contact Sahiba Singh at singhsk8@vcu.edu or (703) 357-2314.

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.

The Fall 2023 Grant Academy by VCU's Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation's (OVPRI) Division of Research Development is now accepting applications. This professional development program assists faculty investigators in crafting successful funding proposals. It's available to faculty from all disciplines with concrete project ideas who have identified an opportunity within 18 months. Apply by Friday, Nov. 3 at the following URL.

For more information, contact Mary Strawderman at ovprird@vcu.edu or visit https://research.vcu.edu/training/grant-academy/.

The Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute has extended the 2024 VCU Leadership Development Program application deadline to Nov. 1. Additionally, the application process has been updated so that a Dean's letter of nomination is no longer required. The HIGHER Ground Women's Leadership Development Program will be held Nov. 15.

For more information, contact Ron Jones at jonesre22@vcu.edu or visit https://gehli.vcu.edu/programs/vcu-leadership-development-program/.