5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Are you a first-generation college student? Come hear from a panel of faculty and staff who are also first-gen. This will also be an opportunity for students to meet each other and make new connections. The session will be in Room 2104, Academic Learning Commons, 1000 Floyd Ave. Register on RamsConnect at the following URL.

For more information, contact Elizabeth Bambacus at bambacuses@vcu.edu or (804) 827-3927 or visit https://cglink.me/2dV/r1931319.

Friday, Feb. 2, 2024 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

VCU Health Pauley Heart Center will kick off Heart Month with its annual Go Red Health Fair in Room 1-422, (the conference rooms across the hall from the Subway entrance to the cafeteria), Main Hospital, 1250 E. Marshall St. Heart-healthy activities will include blood pressure screenings, tips for cardiovascular care and updates on research at VCU Health. Questions: Email michelle.gossip@vcuhealth.org.

For more information, contact Liz Torrey at elizabeth.torrey@vcuhealth.org or (518) 461-6301 or visit http://vcuhealth.org/heart.

Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024 at 11 a.m.

Join VCU President Michael Rao for the State of the University Address in the lecture hall (Room 303) at James Branch Cabell Library, 901 Park Ave. Seating is limited and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Questions: Visit the following URL.

For more information, contact University Events at UNIVevents@vcu.edu or visit https://go.vcu.edu/sotu.

Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024 from noon 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/.

Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024 from 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.

Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

VCU's School of Education will host a virtual session about its RTR Teacher Residency program. Email the following address to register and share information about your specific concentration of interest. Submit any questions in advance.

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

Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024 from 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/.

Friday, Feb. 9, 2024 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

VCU's EqCHO Lab will host an event that will focus on mental, physical and cardiovascular health in women of color. The event will include an art exhibit, expert panel and stress-reduction activities. The event will be held at the Health Hub at VCU, 1330 N. 25th St. Questions: https://eqcho.lab.vcu.edu/ RSVP at the following URL to secure a seat and lunch.

For more information, contact Anika Hines at eqcholab@vcu.edu or (804) 245-6934 or visit https://forms.gle/ccTDr3epdjzC6CTA6.

Friday, Feb. 9, 2024 from noon to 1 p.m.

VCU's Graduate School will host a virtual Career Gap Analysis Workshop. The workshop will provide students with an opportunity to reflect on their skills and experiences alongside their future aspirations to find out gaps between where they are now and where they want to be in their careers. Students should come with a job posting of interest for this interactive session. Register on RamsConnect.

For more information, contact Erin Brown at embbrown@vcu.edu.

Monday, Feb. 12, 2024 from noon to 1:15 p.m.

While ‘pedagogy’ is a term frequently embedded in academic discussions on teaching and learning, a reassessment of its meaning and utility would be helpful for us all. Join your colleagues as panelists provide perspectives and discuss integrating pedagogy into your curriculum. The series will be held in Room 303, James Branch Cabell Library, 901 Park Ave. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Jordyn Richardson at richardsonj9@vcu.edu or visit https://forms.gle/EdW58ccQGw5audpW6.

Friday, Feb. 16, 2024 at 10 a.m.

"Traces of Ecstasy" is an adaptation of a pavilion and exhibition project premiering at the Lagos Biennial in February 2024. In Richmond, the exhibit will be at the Institute for Contemporary Art at the Markel Center, 601 W. Broad St., through June 9. The project will feature artists from the African continent and its diasporas, such as Nolan Oswald Dennis, Evan Ifekoya, Raymond Pinto, Temitayo Shonibare, and Adeju Thompson. The exhibition presents works spanning sculpture, installation, video, sound, drawing, textile, performance and digital art, in addition to a reading room and a symposium.

For more information, contact Seychelle Stableford at ica@vcu.edu or visit https://icavcu.org/exhibitions/tracesofecstasy/.

Friday, Feb. 16, 2024 at 10 a.m.

"Tendril" is a solo exhibition by Patrice Renee Washington at VCU's Institute for Contemporary Art at the Markel Center, 601 W. Broad St., through June 9. Working primarily in ceramics, Washington investigates structures of race, class and gender and considers how identity can be manipulated and shaped to achieve different ends. The works in this exhibition share a common concern: to reveal how opposing meanings can coalesce into singular cultural symbols.

For more information, contact Seychelle Stableford at ica@vcu.org or visit https://icavcu.org/exhibitions/patricereneewashingtontendril/.

Friday, Feb. 23, 2024 from noon to 1 p.m.

Kevin Harris, Ph.D., Senior Associate Dean of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and various Department DEI Leaders will cohost a series of discussions with colleagues/learners to come to a common understanding of what Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging is and how it functions within our work, academic and clinical environments. The session will be in-person (Room 3-101, McGlothlin Medical Education Center, 1201 E. Marshall St.) and via Zoom. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Ashli Phillips at ashli.phillips@vcuhealth.org or visit https://vcuhealth.libcal.com/event/11759321.

Friday, Mar. 8, 2024 from noon to 1 p.m.

Providing equitable health care is inherent in the mission of VCU and VCU Health System. This lunch and learn will introduce the concept of health equity, how health disparities research and community participatory research work to drive health equity and ways in which health equity can be implemented in the everyday practice of medicine at VCU. The session will be in-person (Room 3-101, McGlothlin Medical Education Center, 1201 E. Marshall St.) and via Zoom. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Ashli Phillips at ashli.phillips@vcuhealth.org or visit https://vcuhealth.libcal.com/event/11489636.

Wednesday, Mar. 13, 2024 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

VCU's Center for Corporate Education will present a hands-on introduction to product management with a three-day workshop to the most commonly used tools and frameworks. At the end of the workshop, participants will be ready to ace a product management interview. The cost is $1,200, due in full at registration. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Katie Fauth at corp-ed@vcu.edu or visit https://business.vcu.edu/center-for-corporate-education/?post=2041.

Tuesday, Mar. 19, 2024 from noon to 1 p.m.

Kevin Harris, Ph.D., Senior Associate Dean of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and various Department DEI Leaders will cohost a series of discussions with our colleagues/learners to come to a common understanding of what Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging is and how it functions within our work, academic and clinical environments. The session will be in-person (Room 3-101, McGlothlin Medical Education Center, 1201 E. Marshall St.) and via Zoom. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Ashli Phillips at ashli.phillips@vcuhealth.org or visit https://vcuhealth.libcal.com/event/11489655.

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.

RecWell’s Outdoor Adventure Program invites students and RecWell members to learn new skills this spring with free activities. Kayak roll clinics will be held Feb. 1, 15 and 29, 6:30-9:00 p.m. at Cary Street Gym Aquatic Center, 101 S. Linden St. Registration is open through the day of the activity.

For more information, contact Emily Philpott at outdoors@vcu.edu or visit https://portal.recwell.vcu.edu/Program?classificationId=d722033b-3a3d-44c6-a639-491797a4b9a2.

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 client needs and implement a customized treatment. Table massage is open to VCU students, RecWell members and faculty/staff non-members. Register at the following URL.

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

VCU Transform is the living-learning program centered on developing participants as community change agents. Through courses, community-wide programs and a specialized support team, VCU Transform provides space for participants to transform their VCU experience. Transform students enjoy guaranteed placement in West Grace Street Student Housing – North, early course registration for all semesters they are in the program and, upon graduation, receive a certificate of leadership studies. Apply at the following URL by Wednesday, Feb. 7.

For more information, contact Kaylynn Hill at hillk8@vcu.edu or visit https://lead.vcu.edu/transform-llp/.

The Human Research Protection Program announces that the nomination period for membership on the Institutional Review Board for the 2024 annual calendar has been extended to March 1. As a vital component of VCU's commitment to ethical research practices, the IRB plays a crucial role in ensuring the protection and welfare of human subjects involved in research conducted at the university. Make a nomination at the following URL.

For more information, contact Human Resources Protection Program at HRPP@vcu.edu or (804) 828-0868 or visit https://blogs.vcu.edu/humanresearch/?p=2929.

Starting Monday, Feb. 5 evening patrons at the Health Sciences Library can use an easy swipe-in to access the building at 509 N. 12th St. Previously, patrons had to show their VCU IDs to security at a check-in desk. For the new system, the front doors will be locked starting at 8 p.m. Any VCU ID-holder can wave their ID at the black box beneath the hours sign to unlock the front door. 

For more information, contact Sue Robinson at srobinson26@vcu.edu or (804) 828-0129.

Have you heard the term "cultural humility" and wondered what it means or how it affects your personal or professional life? Join VCU's Division of Inclusive Excellence at 1 p.m. on Feb. 29 to learn about cultural humility and how it can reduce barriers to inclusion and equity. Jan Altman, Ph.D., will explain cultural competence and its relationship to cultural humility. Kyle Mason, Ph.D., will moderate a panel discussion with Kim Case, Ph.D.; Stephan Davis, DNP, MHSA, FACHE, FNAP, FHFMA, FAAN and Brooke Berry, J.D. A registration link is coming soon.

For more information, contact Jan Altman at inclusive@vcu.edu.

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.

The VCU Wellbeing Lab invites you to participate in a research study on two stress reduction programs for undergraduate students. VCU investigators seek to understand how two online stress reduction programs affect students’ mood and stress-related behavior. Compensation is available. Sign up for the study at the following URL. For more information, contact Polina Beloborodova at vcu.stress.reduction@gmail.com.

For more information, contact Safa Saad at saads@vcu.edu or visit https://beloborodp.wixsite.com/stressreduction.

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 at abbrelan@vcu.edu or (804) 827-3562 or visit http://cstp.vcu.edu/studies.