2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Join VCU's Transfer Center for a Transfer Chat with the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program. Come to Room 216, Hibbs Hall, 900 Park Ave. Learn about undergraduate research, how to become involved and how to make yourself a great candidate.

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

6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

STEM In Art will hold an event for students to learn about invisible disabilities. Also, try scrapbooking and creating mini dreamcatchers. Free snacks and materials will be provided. The event will be in the SGA Senate Chambers of the University Student Commons, 907 Floyd Ave.

For more information, contact Mohammed Abdulhadi at abdulhadim@vcu.edu.

7 p.m.

PennyAppeal will host a pack-a-bag with Help the Unhoused in the Honors College Multipurpose Room (1303), 701 W. Grace St. Help make care kits for the local homeless population. Can't make it? Join the organization's Instagram (@pennyappealatvcu) or RamsConnect to keep up to date on future events.

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

Saturday, Mar. 8, 2025 from 2:50 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Come experiment with a new form of collaborative theater. Every two weeks VCU students and theater professionals will write a full-length semi-improvised story dedicated to current events that empower the audience and the players to make a real difference in the local community … or just throw dodgeballs at actors onstage. The performances are free and if you like what you see you can even apply to be a player/actor in the next show. Performances will be on the Newdick Stage at the Shafer Street Playhouse, 221 N. Shafer St. Doors will open at 2:30 p.m. followed by Madlibs at 2:50 p.m. to name the locations and characters The show starts at 3 p.m., has a 15-minute intermission and will conclude by 5 p.m. Be the Hero! Be the Monster! Be the Dodgeball!

For more information, contact Teddy McPherson at mcphersont@vcu.edu or visit https://www.instagram.com/dodgeballsanddragons/.

Monday, Mar. 10, 2025 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Join VCU HR and Fidelity to learn about different tax-advantages - how you can contribute to your workplace savings plan, understand how those contribution types can affect your paycheck and your taxes and learn the difference between a Roth IRA and the Roth option in your workplace savings plan. Register for the virtual session in Talent@VCU or at: https://tinyurl.com/3h3mue3f

For more information, contact Cindi Phares at cphares@vcu.edu or visit https://ramstrong.vcu.edu/events/upcoming-events-for-employees/.

Wednesday, Mar. 12, 2025 from noon to 2 p.m.

In his new collection of poems and short stories, Mark Davy, M.D., weaves an optimistic narrative that reveals why life’s hills and rough terrain are “worth the ride.” Davey wil read from his latest book at the Health and Wellness Library, VCU Medical Center Gateway Building, 1200 E. Marshall St.

For more information, contact Jackson Wright at wrightjc4@vcu.edu or (804) 828-2432 or visit https://vcu.libcal.com/event/13974288.

Thursday, Mar. 20, 2025 from noon to 1:15 p.m.

VCU's Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence will host a session exploring the intersection of Gen AI and student accessibility in the classroom. The virtual discussion will explore how these tools may enhance learning for some students while remaining inaccessible to others due to technological, financial or ability-based barriers. Participants will gain insights into fostering equity by understanding these limitations and identifying approaches to create classroom environments that support students effectively. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Jordyn Richardson at richardsonj9@vcu.edu or visit https://forms.gle/WzNqRcKsaH1jA1DM7.

Thursday, Mar. 20, 2025 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

VCU’s Financial Success Center will host a session about the fundamentals of credit. Learn what a credit score is, why it matters and how to build or improve credit with practical, actionable tips. The session will be live (Snead Hall, Room B2165, 301 W. Main St.) and virtual. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Kirthan Iyangar at iyangarks@vcu.edu or (804) 738-2604 or visit https://connect.business.vcu.edu/register/?id=dc6ae02e-62f6-4f31-a077-d158ef3deae6.

Thursday, Mar. 27, 2025 from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.

The K Breakfast Club at VCU's C. Kenneth and Diane Wright Center for Clinical and Translational Research will share tips for those preparing for R-level grants. Suggestions to be discussed include choosing the right study section, understanding key sections, terminology, collaborator letters and publications. Register for the hybrid event at the following URL.

For more information, contact Brad Williams at williamsb12@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcqf-yvrTkrHNPSsXKZ0fMOeDwEFqMceJza#/registration.

RecWell’s Outdoor Adventure Program will host trips for VCU students and RecWell members in March. The trips include day caving, climbing overight and beach bike overnight. Spaces for all trips are limited. 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.

This is the final week nominations are being accepted for the 2025 Dorris Douglas Budd Award. Established in 1981, the award honors the legacy of Mrs. Dorris Douglas Budd, a dedicated staff member who served VCU for 30 years and inspired excellence in all those around her. The award recognizes a full-time administrative support staff member at VCU or VCU Health who demonstrates exemplary performance and enhances the mission and image of our institution. Nominations may be submitted at the following URL.

For more information, contact Cindi Phares at rewrdrec@vcu.edu or visit https://hr.vcu.edu/current-employees/employee-recognition/awards/dorris-douglas-budd-award/.

Stay connected to the many supportive programs and resources provided by VCU HR by following their social media platforms. Daily posts share reminders and updates that can enhance your workplace experience and strengthen your connections to the VCU community. Follow on Facebook (vcuhumanresources), Instagram (vcuhumanresources) and X (@VCUHR)

For more information, contact VCU Human Resources at askhr@vcu.edu.

The 2025 You First at VCU Student Success Research Grants application deadline has been extended to Monday, March 17. With funding from the U.S. Department of Education, You First invites applications for funds to support scholarly activity focused on (a) first-generation student success and (b) improving Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) first-generation and/or low-income college student success. Apply at the following URL by 5 p.m. Monday, March 17.

For more information, contact Elizabeth Bambacus, Ph.D., at bambacuses@vcu.edu or (804) 827-3927 or visit https://youfirst.vcu.edu/faculty-and-staff/research-opportunities/first-generation-student-success-research-grants/.

In appreciation of VCU's faculty and staff, RecWell is offering three special promotions through Sunday, March 16. Faculty and staff will have free access to RecWell facilities when they show their VCU ID at the service desk at either Cary Street Gym or MCV Campus Rec Center. Visit the link for RecWell Spring Break facility hours. Additionally, the first five faculty/staff who purchase an annual RecWell membership will receive a $50 credit to be used toward future services. Lastly, RecWell is offering $10 off on a 60-minute massage session for faculty and staff during this time. Use promo code TENOFF at checkout, email massage@vcu.edu for further information.

For more information, contact Trisha Saunders at recwell@vcu.edu or visit https://recwell.vcu.edu/facilities-and-hours/.

VCU's Global Education Office seeks proposals for the 2025-26 Global Impact Awards. Two awards, the Global Learning Program Development Awards and the Global Partnership Impact Awards, will fund proposals from VCU academic units to develop partnership collaborations with institutions abroad or new global learning programs. For each CFP, there will be five awards of up to $5,000. An informational webinar will be held for the Global Partnership Impact Awards, “Faculty Opportunities for Global Engagement,” facilitated by Paulo Zagalo-Melo, Ph.D., senior internationalization strategist, and Jill Blondin, Ph.D., vice provost for global initiatives, on Tuesday, March 18 at noon at the Global Education Office, 912 W. Grace St., Room 3124.Register at https://forms.gle/gtcuLnnFzjFCMRcEA

For more information, contact Nicol Tinsley at nctinsley@vcu.edu or (804) 828-6463 or visit https://global.vcu.edu/newsroom/2024/global-impact-awards/.

VCU Libraries invites applications for the ninth round of annual awards to support faculty adoption of no-cost resources and creation or customization of openly licensed alternatives to expensive textbooks for use in VCU classrooms. The Affordable Course Content Awards support faculty in providing no-cost course materials to their students by providing funding, hands-on project support, and providing faculty development on the open publishing process and open educational practices. Apply at https://guides.library.vcu.edu/acca by Friday, April 4.

For more information, contact Sue Robinson at srobinson26@vcu.edu or visit https://drive.google.com/file/d/18vCF0vL_690-CiutVqKit3HFK4QwdQKy/view.

The Black Graduate Student Association announces the Black Excellence Student Organization Awards, which will be presented at its Black Excellence Celebration Reception. The awards recognize outstanding Black-centered student organizations that have demonstrated leadership, impact and commitment to excellence in various areas. The award categories are: Organization of the Year, Excellence in Community Service, Academic Excellence, Cultural Legacy, Advocacy and Social Justice, Trailblazer, Emerging Organization and Best Event or Program. Apply at the following URL by Wednesday, March 26. Responses should be 250-500 words.

For more information, contact Eva Davis at davisep@vcu.edu or visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfmz7BJ9gYRl6-WhkbcFarut_FRQWq8DyobhXd1234DDle_5g/viewform?usp=header.

VCU Brandcenter students are in need of focus group participants. If interested, fill out this questionnaire at the following URL. Those who are chosen to participate in the focus group will be compensated with $20 and refreshments for their time. Participants will be provided with further details upon their successful completion of the questionnaire.

For more information, contact Alex Robinson at robinsona19@vcu.edu or visit https://forms.gle/fz9eDg9ypykygo7Y7/.

VCU's Global Education Office invites students to submit an application at the following URL by Sunday, March 9 for the Phi Beta Delta Honor Society for International Scholars. The organization recognizes international service, scholarship, education and involvement.

For more information, contact Global Education Office (GEO) at geo@vcu.edu or visit https://global.vcu.edu/students/started/info1/community/phibetadelta//.

VCU Division of Inclusive Excellence is seeking VCU students, staff and faculty to take part in an in-person focus group to discuss personal experiences regarding sense of belonging, care and community. Information shared in the information sheet linked below will help us identify potential participants who will then be sent an invitation to attend a focus group. If you do not attend a focus group, your answers to these questions will not be used. See the questionnaire at the following URL.

For more information, contact Kim Case at casek3@vcu.edu or visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSduKK40A3aIz-bigZo4NwNGhAKYiZMxnwtaPUzfqegCYtVYog/viewform.

The Research on Excessive, Persistent, and Emotion-based Actions and Traits (REPEAT) Lab at VCU is conducting a brain imaging study to understand decision-making processes in adults with obsessive-compulsive disorder. Participants will be compensated for participating in this study. Questions: Contact the REPEAT Lab at repeat@vcu.edu or at the following URL.

For more information, contact Adanya Johnson at johnsonad13@vcu.edu or (804) 828-2658 or visit https://tinyurl.com/25wnkh7z.