1 p.m.

Meet the needs of a target audience by writing strong, logical, structurally sound work. Register for the Zoom link at the following URL.

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

12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.

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 you can post on your LinkedIn. This virtual workshop is free and open to all VCU students and community members. Register at https://connect.business.vcu.edu/register/Design-Thinking-Feb-8-Noon

For more information, contact Manjari Kumarappan at kumarappanma@vcu.edu or visit https://davincicenter.vcu.edu/news--events/.

2 p.m.

VCU's National Scholarship Office will offer a virtual session about the Fulbright U.S. Student Program, which provides funding for recent graduates and graduate students to spend an academic year abroad pursuing an independent project or a year of postgraduate study, or teaching English. Register for the Zoom link at the following URL.

For more information, contact Meredith Sisson at natlscholar@vcu.edu or visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdrt36e_ATw4i3k6rekgK0HASm43JTFGWVkpxBfmvlVsIeLKw/viewform.

4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

VCU's Humanities Research Center will present a Health Humanities Speaker Series event featuring Anna LaQawn Hinton. Ph.D., in Room 110, STEM Building, 817 W. Franklin St. Hinton will discuss the intersections of Black maternal health, ableism and misogynoir, drawing on methods from Black feminist disability studies to examine how dis/ability and ableism impact issues key to reproductive justice. A reception will follow. The event is Free and open to all. RSVP at the following URL.

For more information, contact Rani Sisavath at sisavathr@vcu.edu or visit https://bit.ly/hin0208.

6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

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 you can post on your LinkedIn. This virtual workshop is free and open to all VCU students and community members Register at https://connect.business.vcu.edu/register/Design-Thinking-Feb-8-6pm

For more information, contact Cael Parker at parkerc10@vcu.edu or visit https://davincicenter.vcu.edu/news--events/.

7 p.m. to 8:05 p.m.

In commemoration of Rare Disease Day on Feb. 29, the National Organization for Rare Diseases will host a virtual discussion at which community members will explore strategies to raise awareness for rare diseases and effectively be an advocate in their communities. Hear from the organization's patients, caregivers and volunteers how becoming involved in NORD and raising awareness for rare diseases changed their personal journeys and helped make a positive difference in their community. Register for the Zoom link at the following URL.

For more information, contact Alex Ratti at rattija@vcu.edu or visit https://rarediseases.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0tdO2sqjopH92AZFijD96ouYT7Y7VTLF9J#/registration.

Friday, Feb. 9, 2024 at 3 p.m.

Juniors, seniors and first- and second-year graduate students in STEM fields are encouraged to join VCU's National Scholarship office to learn more about the National Science Foundation’s Graduate Research Fellowship Program, which funds up to three years of graduate study in non-medical STEM disciplines. The session will be held in-person (Room 1210, NSO Conference Room, Honors College, 701 W. Grace St.) and virtually. Register for the Zoom llink at the following URL.

For more information, contact Jeff Wing at jawing@vcu.edu or visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeHigF0XyF0Mayo2U6BclPhzwghCMC-eYIuMxKLEbunMIvFww/viewform.

Friday, Feb. 9, 2024 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Join the VCU Poetry Club for a night of fun and expression in Room 203, Hibbs Hall, 900 Park Ave. All are welcome.

For more information, contact Kaitlyn Lee at Leekj10@vcu.edu .

Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

RecWell invites students and RecWell members to test their strength in the Spring 2024 Ram Power Challenge at the Cary Street Gym, 101 S. Linden St. Certified personal trainers will help participants learn the basics of the squat, bench press and deadlift, and then two chances will be given to participants to test their strength on each lift. The event will take place Sunday, Feb. 11, 3-6 p.m. Register by Feb. 11.

For more information, contact Tanika Santos-MacSwain at fitness@vcu.edu or visit https://portal.recwell.vcu.edu/Program?classificationId=00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000026001.

Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024 at 6 p.m.

Richmond Chi Alpha campus ministries will present the Big Game party at 822 W. Franklin St. Come and watch the 49ers take on the Chiefs. Invite your friends or come and make new friends. Food will be provided.

For more information, contact Tori Wright at wrightvc@vcu.edu or visit http://rvaxa.com.

Monday, Feb. 12, 2024 from noon to 1 p.m.

VCU's Humanities Research Center will present a n online Meet VCU Authors talk featuring Christopher Irving, Assistant Professor of Communication Arts at VCU and author of "Cliffhanger!" In his book, Irving explores the origins of the first on-screen superheroes, offering insights into the comic creators, filmmakers and actors who brought them to life. Register for the Zoom link at the following URL.

For more information, contact Rani Sisavath at sisavathr@vcu.edu or visit https://bit.ly/irv0212.

Monday, Feb. 12, 2024 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Have you ever wanted to study abroad? Join Associate Professor Nicole Corley, Ph.D., for the final study abroad session to learn about a study abroad opportunity to Ghana in Summer 2024. Hear from members of the previous cohort and learn about scholarship opportunities, which include a $2,000 study abroad scholarship for social work majors. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Nicole Corley at ncorley@vcu.edu or visit https://forms.gle/duoXpAaiCLjFGg1h7.

Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024 at 11 a.m.

Join the VCU Career Development Collaborative at The Lab by Alchemy Coffee, 814 W. Broad St., for an in-person Coffee Connections session. Bring a colleague and come for a little bit or stay for a while to build new connections across VCU.

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

Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024 at 3:30 p.m.

Elevate your workplace communication with the convenience of the Workplace mobility app. Whether you are in the office, teleworking, have a hybrid schedule or on the move, it’s easy to take your office phone number wherever you go, seamlessly using it on your mobile device or computer. With the app, outbound calls display your work phone number, ensuring a professional and consistent communication experience. All inbound calls from the app will display Avaya Workplace and have a distinct ring. The Workplace app is available with a service number and desk phone at no additional cost. If no desk phone is needed, a savings of $14.95 monthly can be realized using the Workplace app only. Training sessions are to VCU and VCU Health staff and faculty. 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, Feb. 13, 2024 at 4:15 p.m.

Connect with Black and queer peers through a menu of introspective questions and Jamaican cuisine. Those who attend will have the opportunity to connect with one another over guided conversation and tap into Black lesbian writer Audre Lorde's concept of "the erotic," which she describes as a source of joy, empowerment and knowledge. The event, in Richmond Salons I-II, University Student Commons, 907 Floyd Ave., will be hosted by VCU's Office of Multicultural Student Affairs. Arrive on-time. Seating and food will be first-come, first-served. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Beck Oh at ohrn@vcu.edu or visit https://cglink.me/2dV/r1931711.

Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024 from noon to 1 p.m.

Henry Donahue, Ph.D., Professor and Chair, Biomedical Engineering, will discuss via Zoom the components of a competitive research grant application as part of the grant-writing series hosted by VCU's C. Kenneth and Dianne Wright Center for Clinical and Translational Research. Questions: http://www.cctr.vcu.edu Register 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/tZIkcOyoqTwuH9dCYhik6PQx4JV3W2CjbQL3.

Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2024 from noon to 1 p.m.

Are you ready to be in your own home? Are you thinking about selling your home? Want to learn more about the Valued Employee Program? Join Joyner Fine Properties and the Virginia Credit Union for this informational session,, offered virtually and in person. Lunch will be available for those attending in-person. Register in Talent@VCU or for the virtual session - https://bit.ly/3SiIyqO; for the in person session - https://bit.ly/3SlSQWT

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

Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024 from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Have you heard the term "cultural humility" and wondered what it means or how it affects your personal or professional life? Join Jan Altman, Ph.D., to learn about cultural competence and its relationship to cultural humility. Kyle Mason, Ph.D., will moderate a discussion with Kim Case, Ph.D.; Stephan Davis, DNP, MHSA, FACHE, FNAP, FHFMA, FAAN and Brooke Berry, J.D. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Jan Altman at inclusive@vcu.edu or visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScMpLf5D6iyeo2uV8b2WyP1NwbsJlsrdT94L8aszdnbizYQXg/viewform.

Wednesday, May 15, 2024 at 9 a.m.

The VCU Department of Interior Design will visit two rural sites for 2024's Eastern Shore Sewanee, Tenn., Fieldwork Studio: Design as Resilience program. The two-week course (May 15-29) links social and natural environments. Apply by Feb. 15 at the following URL.

For more information, contact Julia Wells at wellsj7@vcu.edu or (804) 827-4561 or visit https://vcu.studioabroad.com/index.cfm?FuseAction=Programs.ViewProgramAngular&id=11630.

Asphalt will be laid on 10th Street between Duval and Leigh streets on Friday, Feb. 9 from 4 a.m. to 5 p.m., which may result in some noise and odor from the heated asphalt. N Deck parking entrances and exits will remain open with alternating lane closures and flaggers directing traffic.

For more information, contact C.J. James at jamesca@vcu.edu.

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/.

Do you know an outstanding administrative or office support staff member who enhances the image and mission of VCU and VCU Health? The Dorris Douglas Budd Award recognizes an employee who demonstrates an exceptional level of accomplishment in providing administrative support. Make a nomination at the following URL by March 15.

For more information, contact Cindi Phares at rewrdrecc@vcu.edu or visit https://hr.vcu.edu/current-employees/recognition-and-awards/dorris-douglas-budd-award/.

Nominations are now being accepted for the President’s Awards for Professional and Administrative Distinction. These awards recognize outstanding performance, achievement and service excellence. Submit a nomination by March 15 at the following URL.

For more information, contact Cindi Phares at rewrdrecc@vcu.edu or visit https://hr.vcu.edu/current-employees/recognition-and-awards/presidents-awards-for-professional-and-administrative-distinction/.

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. For more information: Contact 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 21 and 55 who vape electronic cigarettes daily and also occasionally drink alcohol are needed to participate in a research study that requires multiple laboratory visits. The purpose of this research study is to find out how ethanol (alcohol)-containing e-cigarettes impact ethanol breath tests, field sobriety tests and other tests of sobriety. (Ethanol is a common part of e-cigarette liquids.) Compensation may be provided. For further information, go to the following URL or call the following number. This study will be conducted at VCU’s Center for the Study of Tobacco Products at 100 W. Franklin St. Principal investigator is Alison Breland, Ph.D., Department of Psychology.

For more information, contact Alison Breland, Ph.D., at abbrelan@vcu.edu or (804) 827-3562 or visit http://cstp.vcu.edu/studies.

This study is seeking individuals between the ages of 18 and 35 years who have PTSD or symptoms of PTSD. The purpose of this research study is to examine the effect of PTSD symptoms on blood vessel function during acute exercise and following exercise training. This study will be conducted at 500 Academic Centre on VCU’s Monroe Park Campus. The principal investigator is Ryan Garten, Ph.D., Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences.

For more information, contact Ryan Garten at rsgarten@vcu.edu.