10 a.m.

VCU Engineering professor Jayasimha Atulasimha, Ph.D., will speak at the next installment of the speaker series hosted by the Commonwealth Cyber Initiative - Central Virginia Node. The title of his talk is “Quantized Transformers for Building Energy Forecasting in Smart Cities: Cybersecure IoT Devices with AI and ML on the Edge.” Questions: http://cci-cvn.org Register for the Zoom link at the following URL.

For more information, contact Zahra Ndirangu at ndiranguzw@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZApceyrrjMrHNM2VhbUUxpcn4njxygwW-xM.

11 a.m. to 11:45 a.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-31

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

12 p.m. to 1 p.m.

BareSoul Wellness will facilitate a guided session to introduce breathing practices, gentle movement and relaxation techniques. The session will be held at Mary and Frances Youth Center, 120 S. Linden St. Wear comfortable clothing. There is an option to practice in a chair or on a mat (in-person only).

For more information, contact Vaughn Garland at garlandvw@vcu.edu or visit https://tockify.com/iexcel/detail/95/1706720400000.

2 p.m.

Learn to break writing into manageable chunks and how to avoid procrastination. 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/.

7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

VCU's Student Alumni Council will open its Leadership Council meeting to all VCU students in Virginia Room B, University Student Commons, 907 Floyd Ave., to allow students to understand the operation of the council and become more involved. Snacks will be provided and upcoming events will be discussed.

For more information, contact Zoe Davis at sac@vcu.edu or visit https://www.vcualumni.org/students/student-alumni-council/.

7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Anointed to Dance of VCU is recruiting dancers for the organization. An interest meeting for students, faculty and staff will be held in the Metro Room, University Student Commons, 907 Floyd Ave. Refreshments will be available. The organization focuses on praise dancing on campus and in the community.

For more information, contact Danielle Fife at s2dcfife@vcu.edu or (804) 683-9124.

Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024 at 4 p.m.

Members of Women in Science will review upcoming events for the semester at the group's spring general body meeting. The session will be held in Room 6-032, Sanger Hall, 1101 E. Marshall St. Community and professional development events will be discussed. Pizza will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

For more information, contact Amy Wegener at vcu.wis@gmail.com.

Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

VCU's Black Fidelity will host "From the Roots Up" at The Anderson, 907 1/2 W. Franklin St., in celebration of Black History month. This free semiformal event will be the opening night of a month-long exhibit showcasing multiple forms of art, underscoring themes that reflect roots, culture and the elements that shape them.

For more information, contact Kayla Bostic at bostickm2@vcu.edu.

Monday, Feb. 5, 2024 at 12:30 p.m.

Join the VCU Global Education Office and staff from the University of Nicosia in Cyprus for a virtual informational session to learn about summer study abroad programs in Cyprus for health students (nursing, pre-med) and business/engineering (blockchain). Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Amy Leap at leapae@vcu.edu or (804) 828-6958 or visit https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAvc-6trjMvEtWSIXoYjnZ9VuG5-U4AQ5No.

Monday, Feb. 5, 2024 at 3:30 p.m.

VCU's Department of Sculpture and Extended Media will present a free performance by visiting artist Alex Tatarsky at the Grace Street Theater, 934 W. Grace St. Tatarsky makes performances in the uncomfortable in-between zone of comedy, dance, theater, performance art and deluded rant, sometimes with songs.

For more information, contact Emmy Garcia at garciaem2@vcu.edu or visit https://arts.vcu.edu/event/alex-tatarsky-visiting-artist-lecture/.

Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

The Provost Office and Graduate School invites the VCU community to drop by the Mary and Frances Youth Center, 120 S. Linden St., to make Valentine’s Day cards for seniors living in RRHA housing. Staff can consider using community service leave for this opportunity.

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

Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024 at 12:30 p.m.

VCU's Department of Craft/Material Studies will present a lecture by visiting artist Jina Seo at the Bowe Street Parking Deck, Room 535. Jina Seo is an artist known for her body adornment and material exploration. Her practice explores the relationship between clothing, sexuality and space within the body, incorporating metal and fiber elements.

For more information, contact Emmy Garcia at garciaem2@vcu.edu or visit https://arts.vcu.edu/event/jina-seo-visiting-artist-lecture/.

Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024 at 7 p.m.

The Ruth Harris Professorship at VCU's School of Education will present a free reading instruction focused professional development opportunity. Register for the the Zoom link at the following URL.

For more information, contact Sabrina Wright at ruthharrisprofessorship@gmail.com or visit https://soe.vcu.edu/about-us/ruth-harris-professorship/harris-professor/.

Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024 at 1 p.m.

The Provost Office and Graduate School invites the VCU and local community to hear from experienced service-learning faculty and their community partners as they discuss the impact that collaboration has on student learning and the community. The session will be in the SGA Senate Chambers, University Student Commons, 907 Floyd Ave.

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

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 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

TechConnect at VCU will present the group's very first interest meeting - open to all majors - in Room B2175, Snead Hall, 301 W. Main St. The group will hold the same introductory meeting in the same location at 3 p.m. Friday, Feb. 9. TechConnect is a technology-focused, service-oriented organization dedicated to cross-disciplinary experiential learning. The organization offers technical and professional workshops with a focus on project development and presentation skills. These workshops pave the way for prospective consulting projects, carried out in collaboration with nonprofits in the Richmond community.

For more information, contact Aleena Milburn at milburna2@vcu.edu.

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.

VCU employees who have given their eConsent may view and print their 2023 W-2 statements online. Log on to VCU e-services. Click the "Employee" tab, followed by "Tax Forms, Electronic W-2 Earnings Statement." Consent remains in effect until revoked by the employee. Paper W-2 statements have been printed and are being mailed. For assistance understanding your W2, consult the W-2 Explanation 2023 document.

For more information, contact Veronica B, King at vbking@vcu.edu or (804) 827-1807 or visit https://hr.vcu.edu/current-employees/payroll/.

Private swimming lessons and semiprivate swimming lessons are available to VCU students and RecWell members ages 2 and older. Lessons are taught by certified water safety instructors and are available in packages of two, four and six sessions. Sessions can be 30, 45, or 60 minutes in length. Registration is ongoing through April 30.

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

Winter has arrived; Bundle up and declutter your Google Workspace account while you stay cozy.

For more information, contact Doctor Gee at drgee@vcu.edu or visit https://blogs.vcu.edu/drgee/2023/12/19/bundle-up-and-tidy-up/.

Have you participated in a Relevant, Experiential and Applied Learning (REAL) experience such as undergraduate research, internship or extracurricular? This semester the REAL office will showcase various REAL experiences and the mentors who make them happen including professors, lab directors and more on REAL social media. Complete the form at https://forms.gle/c9tstY4SC3ErRvf8A to share your REAL experience and nominate a mentor who has made a positive difference in your academic journey.

For more information, contact Lauren Franks at lfranks@vcu.edu or visit https://real.vcu.edu.

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/.

VCU greatly values the rich diversity of identities and experiences students bring to our campus. Your unique perspective is needed as VCU considers ways to best support students. You can confidentially share your unique insights by registering your phone number at the following URL so VCU's Office of Inclusive Excellence can contact you via text.

For more information, contact Office of Inclusive Excellence at inclusive@vcu.edu or visit https://universe.vcu.edu.

ACE-IT in College, a VCU program for students with intellectual disability, is recruiting student peer mentors. Do you want to make new friends on campus while earning volunteer hours? Spend some free time on campus welcoming a student with a disability to VCU's inclusive campus. Sign up at the following URL.

For more information, contact Hannah Ramsey at ramseyhe@vcu.edu or (757) 287-9573 or visit https://forms.gle/jYQfdzw2P9u2nGd36.

Interested in studying or working in risk management and insurance? Wondering what this actually means? Join the Risk Management and Insurance Program biweekly student newsletter for updates on academics and events (speaker events, site visits, RMI Expo, webinars and internships/jobs. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Lauren Grainger at graingerl@vcu.edu or (757) 784-8912 or visit https://connect.business.vcu.edu/register/rmi-student-newsletter-signup.

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.

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., Department of Psychology, 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.

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 address or Danielle Kirkman at dlkirkman@vcu.edu.

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

Recruiting adolescents between the ages of 10 and 19 years old who are active participants in organized sports and have 1) never had a diagnosed concussion or 2) sustained a recent concussion and have been cleared to go back to sports in the last 10 days. This non-invasive study is investigating sex differences in the acoustic startle reflex in relationship to subsequent injury following concussion.

For more information, contact Laura Boylan at Laura.Williams1@vcuhealth.org.

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 Principal Investigator: Lee Franco, Ph.D., Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences, at healthyheart@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.

Would you be interested in helping to assess the effectiveness of prepared AI prompts to support students in career planning and setting SMART goals? Fully complete a two-survey study on AI-mentoring to receive a $100 gift card. Spots are limited. Interested students should complete the participant survey at the following URL.

For more information, contact Chi-Ning Chang, Ph.D., at changc10@vcu.edu or visit https://forms.gle/EZfApm5SJSx3o13h9 .