2 p.m.

This informational session is open to first- and second-year undergraduate students in all majors. Preference for this award is given to applicants who have not previously traveled outside of North America. Learn about the Fulbright UK Summer Institutes, which provide recipients with the opportunity to spend three or four weeks at a UK university studying abroad during summer 2024, and how the National Scholarship Office can support you in applying. The session will be in Room 1210, 701 W. Grace St., and also available via Zoom. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Jeff Wing at jawing@vcu.edu or visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSebEAi-cUvro9qcsxY-MOI6o6Fu2Vvl0S2_DbVfjXxfHM4mOw/viewform.

7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Join Media Production students as they display their semester-long films. Five projects will be screened (not in any particular order): "Growing Through the Motions" by 410 Productions; a set of commercials by Monique Lilly; "NIGHTCRWLR," a documentary by Cameryn Turner and Zachary Watkins; "Revving Rivalry," a documentary by Jordan Adams; and "Rosewood," a documentary by Rachel Dryers. The presentations, by MASC 484 Media Foundry and MASC 410 Media Entrepreneurship, will be screened in the auditorium, Grace E. Harris Hall, 1015 Floyd Ave.

For more information, contact Ashley Miller at milleram15@vcu.edu.

Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

People trained in QPR learn how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to question, persuade and refer someone to help. Participants will receive access to digital QPR booklet, further reading and a digital certificate of completion. Richmond Youth Development Network will host the event, which will feature facilitators Robin Pentecost and Travis Fellows of the Goochland Powhatan Community Service Board. The event will be at Mary and Frances Youth Center, 120 S. Linden St. Register at the following email address.

For more information, contact Vaughn Garland at garlandvw@vcu.edu or (804) 828-2696 or visit https://tockify.com/iexcel/detail/59/1701961200000.

Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023 at 3 p.m.

VCU’s McNair Scholars Program is opening applications soon. Interested in knowing more about the McNair Program? Ready to apply to be the next McNair Scholar? An online information session will be held via Zoom. Registration is required. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Shay Lumpkin at lumpkinm@vcu.edu or (804) 828-5125 or visit https://vcu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUkcOCtrjkvH9Q-VyZkIfjq1fl6LccHP0Lq.

Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Meet a group of students at the Pace Center, 700 W. Franklin St. The group will ride together to Belmont Community Resource Services, 3510 Broad Rock Blvd. - a 20-minute drive from campus - to work in their food pantry. On Thursday, the pantry prepares for 550 guests who will visit Friday morning. The group will volunteer until 11:30 a.m. or noon. The group will be back to campus in time for a 1 p.m. class.

For more information, contact Russ Kerr at kerrr@vcu.edu.

Friday, Dec. 8, 2023 at 7 p.m.

The VCU Department of Music will have its 36th annual holiday gala in VCU's W.E. Singleton Center for the Performing Arts, 922 Park Ave. The program of holiday music will feature VCU's Jazz Orchestra I, the Symphonic Wind Ensemble and other VCU ensembles. Proceeds from this event will benefit The Doorways. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 12 and under. Tickets can be purchased in advance at the following URL.

For more information, contact VCU Music at music@vcu.edu or visit https://www.google.com/url?sa=D&q=https://arts.vcu.edu/event/holiday-gala-2/&ust=1701460440000000&usg=AOvVaw3Q7wO6wYiygqWIZZvh9d7U&hl=en&source=gmail.

Monday, Dec. 11, 2023 from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

This training will introduce participants to critical mentoring, an approach to mentoring which emphasizes power, privilege, social justice and equity. Participants will gain an understanding of critical mentoring and how to create more equitable and impactful mentoring relationships. The free session will be at the Mary and Frances Youth Center, 120 S. Linden St. Richmond Youth Development Network will host facilitator Tamice Spencer-Helms of Mentor Virginia.

For more information, contact Vaughn Garland at garlandvw@vcu.edu or (804) 828-2696 or visit https://tockify.com/iexcel/detail/61/1702305000000.

Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2023 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Mindfulness is the practice of being present and fully living in the moment. A self-care routine is a daily journey of intentional living and being mindful about physical, mental and emotional well-being. Educators will be introduced to a variety of mindful-based interventions and strategies to support their own personal well-being. Richmond Youth Development Network will host the event, which will be facilitated by BareSOUL Wellness. Register at the following email address. Registration limited to 18 participants.

For more information, contact Vaughn Garland at Garlandvw@vcu.edu or (804) 828-2696 or visit https://tockify.com/iexcel/detail/92/1702483200000.

Annual deferral limits for the VCU 403(b) Tax Deferred Annuity Plan (TDA) and the VRS 457 Deferred Compensation Plan will increase to $23,000 in 2024. Participants eligible for the age 50+ catch-up may contribute up to an additional $7,500 to either or both plans in 2024. No employee action is required due to these changes. However, employees who wish to change deferral amounts should visit the "Changing Your Benefits" page at https://hr.vcu.edu/current-employees/benefits/changing-your-benefits/

For more information, contact VCU Human Resources, Benefits Administration at benefits@vcu.edu or (804) 827-1723 or visit https://hr.vcu.edu/current-employees/benefits/a-z-list-of-benefits/tax-deferred-and-cash-match-programs/.

RecWell’s Fall 2023 Group Exercise classes are free to all VCU students and RecWell members. Learn more about the fundamentals of exercise. All skills and fitness levels are welcome. The Finals Week schedule runs from Tuesday, Dec. 12 to Tuesday, Dec. 19. The Winter Break schedule runs from Wednesday, Dec. 20 to Saturday, Dec. 23 and will pick up again in January 2024. Visit the website for registration details.

For more information, contact Nadine Madison at groupexprgm@vcu.edu or visit https://recwell.vcu.edu/play/group-exercise/.

Human Resources will present "Retiring With the VCU Optional Retirement Plan." These sessions are open to VCU faculty and VCU University and Academic Professionals, not VCU Health System employees. Register for an upcoming session at https://bit.ly/3xuwHLZ. For more information, create a service request at https://go.vcu.edu/hrsupport or call the following telephone number.

For more information, contact VCU Human Resources, Benefits Administration at benefits@vcu.edu or (804) 827-1723 or visit https://hr.vcu.edu/current-employees/benefits/a-z-list-of-benefits/retirement/planning-resources/.

Celebrate the mothers of the OB MOTIVATE Clinic at VCU Health by donating to the Winter Wishes fund, which was created to provide patients with something special for themselves and their babies during the holidays as they continue their recovery journey. Visit the following URL to donate.

For more information, contact OB MOTIVATE Clinic at culbertml@vcu.edu or (804) 314-5651 or visit https://give.chfrichmond.org/campaign/2023-motivate-clinic/c516228.

UNIV 391-015: Peer Mentoring in Higher Education (CRN 44730) is a new course open to all undergraduates. The class will meet on Tuesdays from 2–3:15 p.m. Design a peer support project aimed at improving the lives of VCU undergrads. This two-credit hybrid course explores the special power of students mentoring other students, emphasizing not only academic assistance but also belonging and community building.

For more information, contact Focused Inquiry Learning Lounge (FILL) at ucfill@vcu.edu or visit https://bit.ly/391peerMntR.

Spring dining plans are now open. Find the plan that fits your needs at vcu.campusdish.com/DiningPlans. December events at Shafer Court Dining Center (810 Cathedral Place) include Midnight Breakfast (Dec. 5: 8 p.m.-midnight), Wellness Wednesday (Dec. 6: noon-1:30 p.m.) and Cookie Decorating (Dec. 7: 5-7 p.m.). For more events, visit the following URL or follow @VCU_Dining on social media.

For more information, contact Lauren Hay at dining@vcu.edu or (804) 828-1148 or visit http://vcu.campusdish.com.

We are inviting male and female participants with elevated blood pressure between the ages of 18-45 years to participate in a study to examine how the time of day that you eat affects your blood pressure, blood vessel function and kidney function. This study involves a screening visit to determine eligibility; two single-day interventions where you will eat a meal that we provide in the morning or late at night; and two visits to our laboratory. The study involves collection of blood, saliva and urine samples, in addition to blood pressure, blood vessel and body composition assessments. The study is conducted at VCU Kinesiology and Health Sciences Building on the Monroe Park Campus. Participants will be compensated for their time completing the study. Questions: Email Natalie Bohmke at the following email address or Danielle Kirkman at dlkirkman@vcu.edu.

For more information, contact Natalie Bohmke at bohmkenj@vcu.edu.

Individuals between the ages of 18 and 30 who identify as Black or African American are invited to participate in a research study examining the effect of acute and chronic stress on cardiovascular and inflammation responses to an acute mental challenge. Raffle drawings for financial compensation will be conducted. This study will take place at 500 Academic Centre on VCU’s Monroe Park Campus. Principal investigator is Lee Franco, Ph.D., Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences. For more information, contact The KHS Healthy Heart Lab at the following email address.

For more information, contact Jeremy Via at healthyheart@vcu.edu.

Be part of VCU's AYA Research Team's ongoing study. We're discussing race-conscious parenting with expecting Black parents and those raising Black children (ages 1-5). Explore how racial factors shape parenting through five interviews every six months, involving both parents and brief check-in questionnaires. Compensation will be provided for interviews and questionnaires. Ready to join? Complete the survey at the following URL.

For more information, contact Shawn Jones, Ph.D., at ayaresearch@vcu.edu or visit https://forms.gle/pVCKFkT6RrMMzX249.