11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Join VCU's Transfer Center for Transfer Tuesdays in Room 250, James Branch Cabell Library, 901 Park Ave. Come to this open study session to work on whatever you need to and meet other transfer students. These sessions will continue throughout the spring semester.

For more information, contact Elizabeth Heck at ebheck@vcu.edu or visit https://transfer.vcu.edu/.

12 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Considering taking classes this summer? Stop by the Summer Studies Resource Fair on the Compass to chat with representatives from various colleges, schools and departments about your potential options. Information on summer financial aid and registration will also be available. Pick up fun summer giveaways while you're there.

For more information, contact Elizabeth Bambacus at summer@vcu.edu or (804) 827-4586.

2 p.m.

Intended for sophomores and juniors who wish to pursue graduate research in the STEM fields, this in-person session will provide information on the Goldwater Scholarship, which awards its scholars with up to $7,500 for educational expenses and a mentoring network. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Jeff Wing at jawing@vcu.edu or visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdm_jWXvcNziE83zQsPsdpH6aLOQmFjS_RkaVVdpCH23PIqdA/viewform.

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

PennyAppeal will hold a bracelet-making event in the Multipurpose Room (1303), Honors College, 701 W. Grace St. Bracelets will be donated to local elementary school students. Can't make it? Join the group's Instagram (@pennyappealatvcu) or RamsConnect to keep up to date on future events.

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

Wednesday, Apr. 16, 2025 from noon to 1 p.m.

VCU School of Public Health and the VCU Alumni DMV Chapter will host a moderated virtual discussion via Zoom about careers and opportunities in the public health world. Four VCU alumni will share their perspectives. The Zoom link is https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/hUFMH6YZRI-onMFQP11nEg register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Maggie Christ at christmm@vcu.edu or visit https://blogs.vcu.edu/sph/2025/03/31/careers-in-public-health-panel/.

Wednesday, Apr. 16, 2025 from noon to 1 p.m.

The Council on Community Engagement’s Research Work Group is sponsoring a Zoom-based panel discussion and supportive space for those involved with community-engaged research. The discussion at the event will include current strategies for community-engaged research efforts and shared resources. Registration is required. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Caroline Cobb at cobbco@vcu.edu or (804) 828-1867 or visit https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/4GQYBKr_TXmRuCTIhGBbZw.

Wednesday, Apr. 16, 2025 from noon to 1 p.m.

Make friends, share your story and enjoy a free lunch at the Pace Center, 700 W. Franklin St. A new storytelling theme is chosen each week and lunch is provided by a local congregation. The event is open to all. Volunteers are welcome to help set up 11 a.m.-noon for a meal for 60 people. Cleanup is 12:45-2 p.m.: Wash dishes and get to know new people in the process. Act as an MC/host 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m.: Introduce the theme of the day and provide introductions. Training will be provided.

For more information, contact Russ Kerr at community@thepacecenter.com.

Wednesday, Apr. 16, 2025 from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.

VCU's Institute for Research on Behavioral and Emotional Health will present Spit for Science: Research Insights and Bites, in collaboration with the Cohort and Registry Administration (CARA) Core and faculty and students from the Spit for Science research course. In this interactive symposium, VCU faculty will share their latest research insights from the Spit for Science survey, covering topics such as well-being, alcohol and cannabis use and mental health care. Complimentary catered bites will be available. The event will be at VCU's Honors College, Room 1303, 701 W. Grace St. Questions: Email smithr22@vcu.edu

For more information, contact Geoff LoCicero at locicerog2@vcu.edu or visit https://events.vcu.edu/Details.aspx?myVal=80705.

Wednesday, Apr. 16, 2025 from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

A group of students will meet Wednesdays at the Pace Center, 700 W. Franklin St., for time of checking in with one another, scripture discussion and sharing a simple meal. This is in lieu of the center's Friday worship service. Also, leaders will meet at Pace Center on Sundays at 10:30 a.m. to walk to Common Table (910 S. Harrison St.), Tabernacle Baptist Church (1925 Grove Ave.) or a Church Crawl Covenant. All churches are open and affirming of LGBTQ people.

For more information, contact Russ Kerr at community@thepacecenter.com.

Wednesday, Apr. 16, 2025 at 7 p.m.

Share your thoughts about federal directives targeting DEI, such as the Dear Colleagues Letter, and your thoughts on VCU's response to them. Free pizza will be provided. The session will be in the University Student Commons, Metro Room, 907 Floyd Ave. RSVP at the following URL.

For more information, contact Summer Neil at neilsd@vcu.edu or visit https://cglink.me/2dV/r1938488.

Wednesday, Apr. 16, 2025 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

VCU Green Action, a student group focused on environmental advocacy and climate justice, is hosting a training session for the No New Gas Plants campaign. This statewide initiative is focused on halting the construction of the Chesterfield Gas plant, one of six gas plants Dominion Energy plans to build in Virginia by 2039. The meeting will be at the World Studies Building, 14 N. Laurel St.

For more information, contact Caroline May at maycg@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.campusgroups.com/greenaction/home/.

Thursday, Apr. 17, 2025 from noon to 1 p.m.

VCU's C. Kenneth and Dianne Wright Center for Clinical and Translational Research and VCU Health Sciences Library will present their next lunch research semina via Zoom. Amy Olex, Ph.D., Wright Center Senior Bioinformatics specialist, will discuss best practices and ethical guidelines to ensure responsible use of generative AI, like ChatGPT, in research. Questions: Visit https://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/M6I3uMmmSbehVCi1MOqeHw.

Thursday, Apr. 17, 2025 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Join VCU's transfer Center for the final Transfer Chat of the semester. Come learn about the Financial Success Center and the complimentary personal and professional financial education they provide to the VCU community. The session will be in Hibbs Hall, Room 216, 900 Park Ave.

For more information, contact Elizabeth Heck at ebheck@vcu.edu or visit https://transfer.vcu.edu/.

Tuesday, Apr. 22, 2025 from 11 a.m. to noon

VCU Parking and Transportation will host a virtual spring forum with updates on parking and transportation at the Monroe Park and MCV campuses. A Q&A session will follow. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Olivia Truban at trubanoa@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.zoom.us/meeting/register/iHRCmFglQbqHNEfGuWNuEA.

Saturday, Apr. 26, 2025 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Join the Philosophy of Medicine and Bioethics 4 Students clubs for our first-ever conference on the intersections of ethics, philosophy, public health and medicine. All are invited to join. Hear from speakers like Michael Fine, M.D., founder of Primary Care for All Americans, network with community organizations and professionals and learn more about the applications of philosophy and bioethics in health care and beyond. Lunch will be provided and attendance is free. Students are encouraged to submit an abstract to present during the poster session. The session will be held at the STEM Building, 817 W. Franklin St.

For more information, contact Riya Bajpai at bajpair2@vcu.edu or visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScUQn69LwwoMkWpdGJG80osulkx3oVrznDxUob1PqMMlBSDPQ/viewform?usp=header.

The American Red Cross Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED course is open for VCU students and RecWell members looking to learn how to recognize and care for a variety of first aid, breathing and cardiac emergencies. Participants will earn a certificate that satisfies OSHA requirements for workplace First Aid/CPR/AED training in non-health care settings. A class will be offered Saturday, April 26. Registesr at the following URL.

For more information, contact Mat Scott at aquatics@vcu.edu or visit https://portal.recwell.vcu.edu/Program/GetProgramDetails?courseId=157236e4-f012-4926-b19a-80ba87072981.

Graduating this year and applying for jobs? Stop by the VCU Career Services Office during drop-in hours to meet with a Peer Career Counselor and review your résumé, cover letters or job search strategies. No appointments needed. Sessions are open to all VCU students from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. Drop-ins will end on the last day of classes on Tuesday, April 29. The office is located in the University Student Commons, 907 Floyd Ave., Room 143, first floor, near the Main and Cherry streets entrance and POD Market. A satellite office is in the Hunton Student Center, Suite 205, 1110 E. Broad St.

For more information, contact Ashley Worthington at worthingtonar@vcu.edu or visit https://careers.vcu.edu/about/contact-us/.

Looking for a fun and welcoming way to become involved on campus? Join a VCU choir this fall. Make music, make friends and be part of something meaningful. You do not need to be a music major. Choral Arts Society (APPM 359, CRN 29766) is open to students. No audition is required. Commonwealth Singers (APPM 358, CRN 29770) is an advanced mixed choral ensemble. An audition is required. Vox Concordia (APPM 378, CRN 32996) is an advanced treble choral ensemble. An audition is required. The choirs are sponsored by VCU's Department of Music. Apply at the following URL.

For more information, contact Christopher Hansen, Ph.D., at hansenc3@vcu.edu or visit https://arts.vcu.edu/music/ensembles/.

Join members of Nate's Promise at Grace E. Harris Hall, Room 2108, 1015 Floyd Ave., to create sensory toys to donate to the Autism Society of Central Virginia and special education programs within Richmond's public schools. Questions: Visit the group's Instagram page @nates.promise or email the organization's sponsor, Barbara Merk, at bmerk@vcu.edu.

For more information, contact Tori Novak at novakt2@vcu.edu or visit https://www.natespromise.com/.

National Student Employment Week celebrates all working learners (student employees) and their supervisors at VCU. Working learners perform invaluable services with enthusiasm, dedication and initiative. This week provides the opportunity to celebrate and recognize the 4,000-plus VCU student staff and their supervisors who contribute in critical and valuable ways to our community. Check out ways to celebrate at tinyurl.com/VCUNSEWToolkit. Students and supervisors can also learn more about student employment at VCU at the following URL.

For more information, contact VCU Career Services at careers@vcu.edu or visit http://ramsatwork.vcu.edu.

VCU students are asked to share their experiences with and awareness of on-campus offices and organizations that offer services or resources to students. VCU staff member Jess Hoy, M.S.W., is conducting a research survey that can be completed online and takes about 10 minutes to complete. Students are not required to have ever used a VCU resource to participate. Students who complete the survey will be entered into a raffle to win one of five $25 gift cards to the VCU bookstore. See the survey at the following URL.

For more information, contact Jess Hoy at hoyj2@vcu.edu or visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSctIBpT8H0TVLHzE4sq66PB1aEx8HCkKwtNtbG8odN3VY0qIA/viewform?usp=sf.

Visit the following URL or email the following address for more information about the program, which is open to sophomores, juniors and seniors. Apply by Wednesday, April 16.

For more information, contact Melody Wang at wanghm@vcu.edu or (804) 828-1200 or visit https://forms.gle/MWQrAtPzF8uFoXYq6.

One in four college women and 7 percent of college men experience sexual assault, while 21 percent face dating violence. Although colleges are required to address these issues, many programs fail to engage students effectively. I’m Adrienne Baldwin-White, Ph.D., and I’ve created “Once Upon a Party,” a text-based, choose-your-own-adventure game designed to spark critical thinking about gender-based violence. In this game, you’ll navigate real-world situations that could lead to sexual or dating violence by responding to friends' text messages. Join my study to help test the game’s impact and get a chance to win one of five $100 gift cards. Click the following URL to participate.

For more information, contact Adrienne Baldwin-White, Ph.D., at baldwinwhia@vcu.edu or visit https://vcuportal.questionpro.com/t/AXMyuZ5Ir0.

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.

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

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

VCU Social Psychology invites you to participate in two studies. Compensation is available. One: a study on including video materials in school teaching to make classes more engaging. Two: a study on how people react to fictional characters. You will fill out a 10-minute online questionnaire and then complete both studies in one lab session that will take about an hour. Find out if you are eligible at the following URL. New sign-up dates are available. If you have already completed the eligibility survey but the listed times did not work for you, email or call the researchers to schedule a different session time.

For more information, contact VCU HSS at vcuhss@gmail.com or (804) 554-0584 or visit https://redcap.vcu.edu/surveys/?s=3AJY3KMHN7NF87TY.

This research study is inviting individuals between the ages of 20 and 24 with poor sleep quality. The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of aerobic and resistance exercise on cardiovascular responses and vascular inflammation. This study will be conducted 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 the following email address.

For more information, contact Garrett Oehlert at healthyheart@vcu.edu.

Individuals aged 18 and older currently living in the United States who can read and answer questions in English are invited to take a 20-minute online research study survey related to addiction and harm reduction strategies. Participants can enter into a raffle for one of several $50 Amazon gift card as compensation. The survey is hosted by VCU's Department of Psychiatry. See the survey at the following URL.

For more information, contact Madison Maxwell at madison.maxwell@vcuheath.org or visit https://redcap.vcu.edu/surveys/?s=HXY8WAN39Y8HFH8Y.

Would you be interested in using AI to navigate your STEM career? Test AI prompts and complete a test report on AI mentoring to receive an $80 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/ymcdpRxDQQhUQTHw8.

We are looking for male volunteers who experience low back pain to participate in our single-visit study, the Human Trunk Behavior Project, happening at the Physical Therapy Department at VCU’s College of Health Professions. In this study, we'll assess how well you can stabilize your torso against external forces in various directions. We'll use surface EMG sensors to measure trunk muscle activity and a new index developed by our team to gauge trunk stiffness. Would you be interested in participating? Participants will be compensated for their time. Questions: Email principal investigator James Thomas, PT, Ph.D., at the following address. or mcl@vcu.edu. If we do not receive a response to this announcement, we may follow up with you.

For more information, contact James Thomas at jthomas32@vcu.edu or (804) 828-0234.