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

VCU's Robertson School will host two virtual informational sessions for prospective students to learn more about the graduate programs, on Wednesday, Jan. 18 at 12-12:30 p.m. and 5-5:30 p.m. Join a session at https://vcu.zoom.us/my/robertsongrad

For more information, contact Jonathan Brown at brownj64@vcu.edu or (804) 525-9425 or visit https://robertson.vcu.edu/academics/graduate/.

2 p.m.

VCU's National Scholarship Office will host sessions about the Fulbright UK Summer Institutes, which provide recipients with the opportunity to spend three or four weeks studying abroad at a UK university during summer 2024, and how the NSO can offer support in the application process. This informational session, which will be held virtually and in person (Room 1210, 701 W. Grace St.) is open to first- and second-year undergraduate students in all majors. 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.

5 p.m.

VCU's Division of Community Engagement will host a week of events themed “Thriving Communities: Beloved Community.” A fireside chat with community leaders will follow the keynote event with Vernon Gordon at the Institute for Contemporary Art at the Markel Center, 601 W. Broad St. RSVP at the following URL.

For more information, contact Ron Jones at jonesre22@vcu.edu or visit https://forms.gle/Y7XQdAR5V6MbkFb69.

Friday, Jan. 19, 2024 from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center's Facts and Faith Fridays will host a discussion about "Past Atrocities/Present-Day Impact: How History and Health Collide" with New York Times best-selling author Sadeqa Johnson and VCU’s chair of the Department of African American Studies, Shawn O. Utsey, Ph.D., via Zoom. Register at https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAlce6sqT8rEtSnqo4cYE4eHJwca-NghmLM#/registration

For more information, contact the Rev. Rachel Pierce at piercer2@vcu.edu or (804) 628-9154 or visit https://www.masseycancercenter.org/facts-and-faith-fridays.

Monday, Jan. 22, 2024 from noon to 1 p.m.

Leticia Moczygemba, Pharm.D., Ph.D., University of Texas College of Pharmacy, will discuss via Zoom the implementation of diabetes education services and remote hypertension monitoring in community pharmacies at a Center for Pharmacy Practice Innovation Seminar. Moczygemba's research background involves working with communities and health-systems to mitigate health disparities. Faculty, staff and students can view the online presentation in Room 545, Robert Blackwell Smith Building, 410 N. 12th St.

For more information, contact Sydney Weber at cppi@vcu.edu or visit https://cppi.pharmacy.vcu.edu/seminars/.

Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024 at noon

Be a part of the VCU Institute for Women’s Health and Highland Support Project. Spend a week in partnership with indigenous midwives and community leaders. Learn about traditional Mayan medicine and explore the history of health care and healing in Guatemala. The summer study abroad group will learn about traditional medicine, midwifery and healing practices. Trip dates are May 25-June 1. 2024. The cost is $1,300 (plus air fare). View the Zoom link and apply at the following URL.

For more information, contact Heather Ashton at ashtonhr@vcu.edu or visit https://forms.gle/tzG7S8wKPL8z7Rqs6.

Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024 from 4 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.

Are you fascinated by creating solutions to complex problems? Have you always wanted to start a business or nonprofit? Learn about the da Vinci Center's undergraduate certificates. Learn exactly what a certificate is and the center's programs in product innovation and venture creation. Find out about classes in human-centered design and how they fit into your academic plans. Register at https://connect.business.vcu.edu/register/Ugrad-Info-Jan-23

For more information, contact VCU da Vinci Center at davincicenter@vcu.edu or visit https://davincicenter.vcu.edu/news--events/.

Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

This session will address the physical signs of stress on the body. Engage the senses in anchoring the body, breath and present moment. Representatives of BareSOUL Wellness will facilitate. The session will be at the Mary and Frances Youth Center, 120 S. Linden St. Contact the following email address to register.

For more information, contact Vaughn Garland at garlandvw@vcu.edu or visit https://tockify.com/iexcel/detail/94/1706112000000.

Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024 from noon to 1 p.m.

VCU's Wright Center for Clinical and Translational Research will present via Zoom the first session in its grant-writing series. Patricia Kinser, Ph.D., professor, Family and Community Health Nursing, will discuss strategies for developing competitive research agendas. Questions: Visit 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/tZcvduuurjstGND6eWM1L-rwM0WbFQcaTUQ2.

Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024 at noon

Join VCU's Global Education Office and faculty from UNIV and PSYC to learn more about a study (and intern) abroad opportunity during summer 2024 in Sorrento, Italy at the Sant'Anna Institute. Register on Rams Connect. The Zoom link is https://vcu.zoom.us/j/86354362355

For more information, contact Amy Leap at abroad@vcu.edu or (804) 828-6958.

Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024 from noon to 1 p.m.

Join the VCU School of Nursing Office of Research, Scholarship and Innovation for a lecture to be presented by Paula Sherwood, Ph.D., RN, CNRN, FAAN. Sherwood, a professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing, focuses her research on bio-behavioral outcomes in neuro-oncology caregivers and has conducted multiple federally funded descriptive and interventional research projects in this area. The lecture will be in room 1011, School of Nursing, 1100 E. Leigh St., and also via Zoom.

For more information, contact Caitlin Hanbury at cshanbury@vcu.edu or visit https://tockify.com/vcuson/detail/86/1706115600000.

Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024 from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

VCU's Global Education Office will host the ambassador of Mexico to the United States, Esteban Moctezuma Barragán, in Room 303, James Branch Cabell Library, 901 Park Ave. The ambassador will deliver a lecture to the public and the university community regarding the interdependence and common futures of Mexico and the United States. The event is open to all and registration is not required.

For more information, contact Nicol Tinsley at nctinsley@vcu.edu or (804) 828-6463 or visit https://global.vcu.edu/media/global/pdf/strategies/Ambassador%20to%20Mexico%20flyer.pdf.

Friday, Jan. 26, 2024 from 10 a.m. to noon

Facilitated by SideBySide, participants learn of identities, terminology and pronoun inclusivity in the LGBTQ+ community. Reflect upon individual biases and unintentional discrimination toward the LGBTQ+ community. Recognize key celebration/remembrance opportunities as well as important figures in LGBTQ+ history. Learn to be an ally if you identify in the LGBTQ+ community. Explore how to be an ally if you do not identify in the LGBTQ+ community. Identify resources for support and education. The session will be at the Mary and Frances Youth Center, 120 S. Linden St.

For more information, contact Vaughn Garland at garlandvw@vcu.edu or visit https://tockify.com/iexcel/detail/67/1706281200000.

Registration for children’s swim lessons at the Cary Street Gym Aquatic Center is now open to VCU students and RecWell members. Four types of lessons will be offered: parent/child and preschool 1, 2 and 3. Full information is available at the following URL. Session dates are Feb. 3-24. Registration closes at noon Feb. 2.

For more information, contact Mat Scott at aquatics@vcu.edu or visit https://portal.recwell.vcu.edu/Program?classificationId=7ed7ea86-88d1-4cc7-8094-d6560f38fd1d.

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 Wellbeing Lab invites students to join the research assistant team. Contribute to the lab's research studies on the effects of online stress reduction training on VCU students' emotional well-being, as well as on making high school education more engaging for students. Research assistants are in charge of participant recruitment and day-to-day communication with participants and participant interviews. Apply at the following URL.

For more information, contact Luka Djajakusuma at djajakusumal@vcu.edu or visit https://forms.gle/5Ss8Bg9wwFXjznpY8.

A draft of the new Building Access Control policy is available for public comment until Thursday, Feb. 1. View the draft policy at the following URL and click on "Open for Public Comment."

For more information, contact Jason Block at blockj2@Vcu.edu or visit https://policy.vcu.edu.

VCU's Department of African American Studies is soliciting submissions for the 2024 Black History in the Making Awards. Recipients are typically chosen based on criteria such as academic excellence, community service or excellence in their field. Questions: Email bhitm@vcu.edu Information on the submission process can be found at the following URL. Apply by Wednesday, Jan. 31.

For more information, contact Grace D. Gipson, Ph.D., at gipsong@vcu.edu or visit https://afam.vcu.edu/program/scholarships-and-awards/black-history-in-the-making-awards/.

Lucky One Zine, a project funded by a VCUarts Undergraduate Research Grant, is currently seeking submissions in various mediums. Constructing a reprieve from the narrative of the Asian model minority, this zine and corresponding interactive website aim to create a safe space to reshape what it means to be Asian today. Submissions will be accepted until mid-February at the following URL.

For more information, contact Courtney Te at tece@vcu.edu or visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc_Rw7I4aYdfQ_KqBVOkD_zoIriXvG_eLuqMMq0gx5ucMFoWg/viewform.

A draft of the new Academic Engagement Within Class policy is available for public comment until Thursday, Feb. 1. Go to the following URL and click on "Policies Open for Public Comment" to comment on the draft policy.

For more information, contact Jason Block at blockj2@vcu.edu or visit https://policy.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 or visit https://beloborodp.wixsite.com/stressreduction.

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 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. This study will be conducted at VCU’s Center for the Study of Tobacco Products at 100 W. Franklin St.

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

This study is inviting individuals between the ages of 18 and 30 who identify as LGBTQ. We are also inviting individuals between the ages of 18 and 30 who identify as cis-gender heterosexual for the control group. The purpose of this research study is to examine the effect of chronic psychosocial stress and vascular inflammation to an acute mental challenge. This study will be conducted at 500 Academic Centre on VCU’s Monroe Park Campus.

For more information, contact Lee Franco, Ph.D., principal investigator, Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences at healthyheart@vcu.edu.