11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

A rotating cast of Dogs on Call therapy dogs will be at the James W. and Frances G. McGlothlin Medical Education Center (MMEC), 1201 E. Marshall St., ready to meet and greet passersby. Show your support for the Dogs on Call teams by purchasing a $5 lunch (hot dog or smoked carrot, chips and a drink), a Dogs on Call shirt for $12 or an official Dogs on Call coffee mug for $10. In the event of rain, everything will move indoors to the MMEC lobby.

For more information, contact Karl Dorn at karl.dorn@vcuhealth.org or (804) 628-2532 or visit https://chai.vcu.edu/.

12 p.m.

Join Inclusive Excellence facilitators to learn about the structural roots of social identities, focusing on group membership, individual agency and strategies for relating to one another in context. Register for the Zoom link at the following URL.

For more information, contact Jackson Bartlett at inclusive@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUsf--rpjIjGtURxauyCVIDQ74mVO1iHUFq#/registration.

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/.

4 p.m. to 5 p.m.

UAA Pre-Health Advisors and the VCU Writing Center will hold a workshop via Zoom. Register at the following URL. This program is open to any student applying to the nursing program this spring.

For more information, contact Meghan Waldron at waldronm3@vcu.edu or (804) 291-6751 or visit https://vcu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZclduiurjMuGNPcFz1DJ3IeA4DhYZ3tCrL7#/registration.

7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

PennyAppeal will hold a Pack-A-Bag event in Room 2128, Grace E. Harris Hall, 1015 Floyd Ave., to make care kits for the local homeless population and earn service hours. Keep up to date at the group's Instagram (@pennyappealatvcu) or RamsConnect page.

For more information, contact PennyAppeal at officialpennyappealatvcu@gmail.com.

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

The Association of Black Social Workers will hold its first meeting of the fall semester in Room 3201, Academic Learning Commons, 1000 Floyd Ave., to discuss the organization's history, values and goals.

For more information, contact Sebastian Berger at bergersm@vcu.edu.

Friday, Sep. 27, 2024 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Meet new people, get some fresh air and snag a lil' loving from a four-legged friend at Walk-a-Dog, hosted by the Pace Center, 700 W. Franklin St. In case of rain, play inside with the pups.

For more information, contact Russ Kerr at community@thepacecenter.com or (804) 658-4064 or visit http://www.thepacecenter.com.

Friday, Sep. 27, 2024 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Interested in crocheting or knitting but don't know how? Have the skills, but looking for a group to knit or crochet with? Come to the Pace Center, 700 W. Franklin St., for Strings and Things. Bring your own fiber-based project of choice and connect with others who share your passion. This is a social event for crafters of all levels.

For more information, contact Russ Kerr at community@thepacecenter.com or (804) 658-4064 or visit http://www.thepacecenter.com.

Friday, Sep. 27, 2024 from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Annie Arvin from Union Presbyterian Seminary will be the guest preacher at the Pace Center, 700 W. Franklin St., for Friday Worship at 5. The service offers a time of reflection, scripture reading and communion with one another and is open and affirming of LGBTQ people. Refreshments will be provided afterward.

For more information, contact Russ Kerr at kerrr@vcu.edu or (804) 658-4064 or visit http://thepacecenter.com.

Friday, Sep. 27, 2024 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Join You First at VCU in celebrating National Teacher's Month by packaging goodie bags for a local Richmond school. The event will be in Room 1100, Academic Learning Commons, 1000 Floyd Ave. (MCALC). Materials needed to pack the goodie bags and to write thank-you notes to show our appreciation will be furnished. Register on RamsConnect with the following URL.

For more information, contact Linda Le at lel7@vcu.edu or visit https://cglink.me/2dV/r1935313.

Monday, Sep. 30, 2024 at 3:30 p.m.

VCU's Department of Sculpture + Extended Media will present a lecture by visiting artist Jayson Musson in the Grace Street Theater, 934 W. Grace St. A multidisciplinary artist, Musson has worked across performance, video, textiles, painting and sculpture, utilizing art as a vehicle to probe historical legacy and cultural memory.

For more information, contact Emmy Garcia at garciaem2@vcu.edu or visit https://arts.vcu.edu/event/jayson-musson-visiting-artist-lecture-2/.

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

Help cultivate community as VCU's Division of Inclusive Excellence hosts an open house on the second floor at 912 W. Grace St. All are welcome, including students and campus partners. Light desserts and refreshments will be available. RSVP at the following URL.

For more information, contact Tre Straughter at inclusive@vcu.edu or visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfaYgc800HEEBYVzP3U9Hth4uPXuBBs5Xz8JfTGWuJ2xzK_gg/viewform.

Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

VCU Continuing and Professional Education will present "Crafting Compelling Narratives: The Art of Captivating Storytelling." This five-week online course is geared for writers, educators and storytelling enthusiasts. Learn core storytelling principles, how to develop your unique voice and captivate your audience. Questions: Contact ocpe@vcu.edu Register at https://www.continuingstudies.vcu.edu/CourseStatus.awp3?&course=25-SS-127

For more information, contact Shelly Schuetz at ssschuetz@vcu.edu or (804) 828-1322 or visit https://ocpe.vcu.edu/.

Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024 at noon

Join VCU's Global Education Office for a Zoom session with staff from the University of Lima to learn more about semester exchange opportunities to study in Peru. The Zoom link is https://ulima-edu-pe.zoom.us/j/82320243360?pwd=dcJGySNmyMo2NgvqSK9esrYP46j2ro.1 Can't attend the Zoom session but want to learn more? Check out the program brochure at the following URL.

For more information, contact Sarah Carrier at abroad@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.studioabroad.com/_portal/tds-program-brochure?programid=11398.

Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024 from 3 p.m. to 3:45 p.m.

Salvatore Carbone, Ph.D., an experienced academic writer, will share practical strategies to enhance writing efficiency and overcome common challenges. Whether you're a student, fellow, researcher or faculty member, this session will equip you with tools to boost your productivity. The presentation will be in the Hess Library, fifth floor, 1200 E. Broad St. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Pamela Alebna at Pamela.Alebna@vcuhealth.org or visit https://vcuhealth.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJAqc-yoqDojGNfiCXu99jHe21iQt9ZYPrpK.

Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024 at 3 p.m.

Join VCU's Division of Community Engagement for a virtual conversation on the Carnegie Reclassification. Be a part of the collaborative self-study to audit, assess and advance the university's community engagement and partnership efforts. Initial findings will be shared and feedback and insights will be welcomes. Register at https://forms.gle/sSUyFUaQqKEgdN2S9

For more information, contact Shari Garmise at garmiseso@vcu.edu or visit http://community.vcu.edu/initiatives/carnegie/.

Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024 at 6 p.m.

Join Bryn Mawr assistant professor Paul Joseph López Oro for a discussion on AfroLatinidad as a cultural identity that describes people of Latin American or Latin American descent who are also of African ancestry. The session will be in person at the University Student Commons Theater, 907 Floyd Ave., and virtual at https://vcu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZctfuGtrzMvHNd7kQNv3hnTY17U-JspD5W8#/registration

For more information, contact Anita Nadal at elcentro@vcu.edu.

Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

VCU Common Book Program and VCU’s Project Gabriel will host a panel discussion to explore the intersection of DEI and reparative justice. This event, to be held in Room 202, STEM Building, 817 W. Franklin St., will examine how efforts to address racial injustice have impacted historically marginalized communities, both within academia and beyond. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Stephanie Rizzi at inclusive@vcu.edu or visit https://forms.gle/RQ6WRaiBKaKAAArWA.

Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Volunteers are needed to help with Girl Scout Science Day, a time to introduce young women to the vast array of career possibilities in the sciences through a day of hands-on workshops facilitated by real scientists. The event, hosted by VCU Women in Science, will be held at Sanger Hall, 1101 E. Marshall St., and Hunton Student Center, 1110 E. Broad St. Indicate your interest or availability at the following URL.

For more information, contact Holly Byers at habyers@vcu.edu or visit https://forms.gle/tuosahfuW4bTdZL97.

RecWell’s Outdoor Adventure Program will host a number of trips for VCU students and RecWell members in October. The trips include introduction to camping weekend, canoe overnight, family weekend s’mores hike, three day-climbing, spooky day caving, fall foliage day hike and fall foliage bike ride. Spaces for all trips are limited. See the schedule and register at the following URL.

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

TEDxVCU is accepting applications from potential speakers and performers for its 2025 live event, which will feature ideas from VCU Rams through roughly two hours of talks and performances. Applications are open on a rolling basis.

For more information, contact TEDxVCU at tedx@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.campusgroups.com/tedxvcu/speaker-guide/.

The VCU GPSS is the graduate/professional branch of the VCU Student Government Association. It consists of an executive board, senate, judiciary and university committee representatives. These members represent the graduate/professional student body at all levels of administration while also enacting initiatives and addressing issues to improve the student experience at VCU. The body is seeking senators to serve on the board for 2024-2025. Email gpss@vcu.edu

For more information, contact Marie Michenkova at michenkovam@vcu.edu.

AMP! Metro Richmond, a mentoring program for students at T.C. Boushall Middle School, 3400 Hopkins Road, seeks participants. VCU students who participate receive ongoing personal support and supervision. Mentoring sessions take place on Tuesdays from 1:15-2:15 p.m. from September through April. Apply at the following URL.

For more information, contact Laura Leporati at mentor@ampmetrorichmond.org or visit https://forms.gle/KhWzYKnkVS69UH6SA.

We are seeking Latinx/Hispanic individuals between 18-25 years old for an online research study (approved by Miami University IRB #02209r). The purpose of the study is to learn how family and parent factors impact Latino/a/x young adult mental health and well-being. You may choose to provide an email address for the chance to win one of twelve $25 Amazon gift cards. If interested, email LatinxWellbeingResearch@gmail.com for access to the study link.

For more information, contact McKenna Ackon at ackonm@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: Lee Franco, Ph.D., Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences.

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