Student Issue for January 31, 2025
Today
VCU Mass Communications Graduate Program Informational Session
12:30 p.m.
VCU's Richard T. Robertson School of Media and Culture will host a virtual informational session for prospective students to learn more about the M.S. in mass communications with concentrations in integrated communication and media leadership. The school also offers a certificate in Media and Leadership. Join a session here: https://vcu.zoom.us/my/robertsongrad. Apply at the following URL.
For more information, contact Jonathan Brown at brownj64@vcu.edu or (804) 525-9425 or visit https://robertson.vcu.edu/academics/graduate/.
January Auctus GBM (+ Insomnia Cookies)
4 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Join the Auctus January GBM to learn how you can get your research, art and creative works published in VCU's undergraduate journal. Learn about how you can join the editorial team and work with peers and faculty and about opportunities to gain leadership experience. Come enjoy fresh Insomnia Cookies. Those who cannot attend in-person (Honors College, Room 1303, Multipurpose Room, 701 W. Grace St.) can join on Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6135769251, and receive updates through RamsConnect: https://vcu.campusgroups.com/auctus/club_signup.
For more information, contact Auctus at auctus@vcu.edu.
Bioethics 4 Students: General Body Meeeting
4 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Bioethics 4 Students will host its first meeting of the semester in the Honors Lounge, 701 W. Grace St. Learn about upcoming service opportunities, how to become involved, meet new people and participate in a case study discussion on the ethics of genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
For more information, contact Riya Bajpai at bajpair2@vcu.edu.
This week
School of Dentistry Trailblazer Awards
Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025 at 10 a.m.
Join the VCU School of Dentistry community for the Trailblazer Awards, honoring the accomplishments of distinguished Black alumni. The event celebrates their contributions and impact in their communities and the profession. The event will be at Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens, Kelly Education Center, 1800 Lakeside Ave., Henrico.
For more information, contact Joy Gilchrist at gilchristjm2@vcu.edu or visit https://www.support.vcu.edu/event/Trailblazers2025.
Black History Found and Forged: Chronicling the East Marshall Street Well Project
Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Join the Humanities Research Center’s Health Humanities Lab and the Office of Health Equity during Black History Month to reflect upon important Black history in the making — the East Marshall Street Well Project, which works to address some of the exploitative medical practices perpetrated by VCU on Richmond’s Black communities since the 1800s. The event will be at the Black History Museum and Cultural Center or Virginia, 122 W. Leigh St. RSVP at the following URL.
For more information, contact Ellie Musgrave at musgraveec@vcu.edu or (301) 213-8664 or visit https://bit.ly/hhl0201.
Alpha Phi Omega Inductions
Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Alpha Phi Omega is a gender-inclusive service organization focusing on developing leadership, promoting friendship and providing service to humanity. Interested in becoming a brother? You're invited to attend the group's induction ceremony in Hibbs Hall, Room 403, 900 Park Ave. Pledges have the opportunity to attend various service events, socials and retreats within the brotherhood. Upon successful completion of all requirements, pledges are initiated brothers of APO. Please plan to arrive at least 10 minutes early, dressed in business causal attire.
For more information, contact Jessie Tignor at jessielouisetignor@gmail.com or (757) 685-1350.
Coming up
Writing Center Workshop: Reading and Incorporating Academic Sources Into Your Writing
Monday, Feb. 3, 2025 at 11 a.m.
This interactive Zoom workshop is a guide to finding, reading, evaluating and incorporating academic sources into your work. Register at the following URL.
For more information, contact Trey Burnart Hall at hallbr@vcu.edu or visit https://writing.vcu.edu/calendar/.
SHIFT Retail Lab Open House
Monday, Feb. 3, 2025 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Drop by SHIFT Retail Lab (1235 W. Broad St.) and stay as long as you’d like at this laid-back event designed to spark curiosity and connection. Interested in learning more about the SHIFT Retail Lab, the Shelfie Program or da Vinci Center courses? Join the session at the top of the hour for a brief presentation.
For more information, contact Cael Parker at parkerc10@vcu.edu or visit https://shiftretail.vcu.edu/events/.
Improving Relationships: Mitigating Bias, Fostering Healthy Interactions Across Difference
Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025 at 3:30 p.m.
Consider foundational strategies for communicating across difference, preventing harm and fostering cultures of respect and inclusion. The Social Identity workshop is strongly suggested as a pre-requisite. You can choose to attend one or more of the following virtual sessions: Tuesday, Feb. 4 at 3:30 p.m.; Wednesday, Feb. 5 at noon or Thursday, Feb. 6 at 12:30 p.m. Register at the following URL.
For more information, contact Jackson Barlett at inclusive@vcu.edu or visit https://inclusive.vcu.edu/education/workshops/#d.en.723962.
VCUarts Lecture Series: Amber Esseiva (B.A. ’12) 'A Love Letter to Amaza Lee Meredith'
Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Join Amber Esseiva, Senior Curator, Institute for Contemporary Art at the Markel Center, 601 W. Broad St., for an evening dedicated to the making of Dear Mazie, an exhibition exploring the life and work of Amaza Lee Meredith, the first known Black queer woman to practice as an architect in the United States. Esseiva will also discuss the collaborative process behind the exhibition, which brought together archivists, architects, designers and artists to honor Meredith’s legacy. Register at the following URL.
For more information, contact Carmenita D. Higginbotham, Ph.D at higginbothac@vcu.edu or visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSep0dL9zXVvkDZqCB6KzWd9iFTCN5x2tZDqK5gLSd30N0mEdA/viewform.
VCU Libraries' Black History Month Lecture: 'Building a Home for Change: The Obama Presidential Center'
Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The Obama Presidential Center’s Curator of Collections and Exhibitions, Crystal M. Moten, Ph.D., will provide an overview of the center, focusing on its exhibits. She will highlight the historical predecessors who made President and Mrs. Obama's stories possible and share the museum’s storytelling goals as they relate to the events of the Obama presidency. The event will be in the lecture hall of the James Branch Cabell Library, 901 Park Ave. Register at the following URL.
For more information, contact Ryan Pander at rbpander@vcu.edu or visit https://www.support.vcu.edu/event/BHM2025.
Rare Disease Month: Patient Stories
Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025 from noon to 1 p.m.
Join the VCU Medical Center Health and Wellness Library on Zoom to hear the stories of rare disease patients Kristi Harmon and Virginia Maxwell. They will share how they navigated obstacles faced by the rare disease community and talk about ongoing efforts that offer hope for solutions. Register at the following URL.
For more information, contact Jackson Wright at wrightjc4@vcu.edu or (804) 828-2432 or visit https://vcu.libcal.com/event/14068374.
VCU Nonprofit, Public and Human Services Fair
Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025 from noon to 3 p.m.
Connect with government, public services, human services and social assistance organizations looking to hire VCU students for internships and full-time and part-time jobs. Just exploring? Come chat with employers. The event will be in the University Student Commons, Richmond Salons, 907 Floyd Ave. Pre-register at the following URL.
For more information, contact Danielle Pearles at ddpearles@vcu.edu or visit https://app.joinhandshake.com/career_fairs/81856923-8ff5-4411-8bd8-7a2d3f09f8f9/student_preview.
LSA Hearts For Little Hearts
Monday, Feb. 10, 2025 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Members of the Latin Student Association will meet in the Underground, University Student Commons, 907 Floyd Ave., to make valentines for ESL students from elementary to high school.
For more information, contact Mariana Ramirez-Linares at ramirezlinmm@vcu.edu.
Notices
RecWell OAP February Belay Clinics
Learn belaying, or climbing with a partner, a fundamental skill for all rock climbers. VCU's Outdoor Adventure Program staff will teach current best practices for belaying and answer questions about climbing. The session will be held in the Cary Street Gym, 101 S. Linden St. Registration opens the day before the clinic. February belay clinics will be held Feb. 17 and Feb. 26. See times and registration at the following URL.
For more information, contact Sam Albert at outdoors@vcu.edu or visit https://portal.recwell.vcu.edu/Program/GetProgramDetails?courseId=cd4e0a05-814b-415e-9ef8-43e49fe1f7fb.
First-Year Students: Elevate Your Academic Performance
First-year students, elevate your academic performance with Peer Academic Coaching. Work with an upperclass student who can personalize a plan to help you level up your academic performance this semester. Peer Academic Coaching provides personalized guidance in time management techniques, study strategies and effective goal setting. Sign up at https://forms.gle/2jAmQaRUo2twpp7u9
For more information, contact Ian Anderson at andersoni2@vcu.edu or visit https://clc.vcu.edu/academic-coaching/.
Feedback Opportunity: Campus Expression Policy
The public comment period, which is required to be open for 10 business days, is now open for the Campus Expression and Space Utilization Policy, Concealment of Identity and Student Code of Conduct. To ensure maximum participation in this process, VCU will have the comment period open 25 business days, closing on Friday, Feb. 28. Offer feedback by visiting the following URL and clicking on “Policies Open for Public Comment.”
For more information, contact Josh Skillman at skillmanj2@vcu.edu or (317) 908-9617 or visit http://policy.vcu.edu.
Adobe File Sync Discontinuation
Adobe has delayed the discontinuation of cloud-based file syncing services to now take place today, Monday, Feb. 3 for all Enterprise/Federated customers (including VCU). VCU end-users need to back up/migrate any data and files stored within Adobe’s Cloud storage platform to their local computer, USB storage and/or Google Drive storage. A complete backup/migration guide can be found at https://go.vcu.edu/adobe/backup.
For more information, contact Instructional Computing Services at adobe@vcu.edu or visit https://adobe.vcu.edu/security/file-sync.
Join the New KHS Health Science Club
This club, affiliated with the Kinesiology and Health Sciences Department at VCU, focuses on students in the Health Science concentration of the Health, Physical Education and Exercise Science major. (However, anyone passionate about health science is welcome to join.) Connect with fellow health, physical education and exercise science (HPEX) students and health enthusiasts through résumé workshops, networking events, shadowing opportunities, CPR/First Aid certifications and collaborations with organizations like the HPEX Exercise Science and Women in Medicine/Health clubs. Follow the organization on Instagram: vcukhshealthscience and see KHS on LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/khshealthscienceclub. A membership form is available at the following URL.
For more information, contact KHS Health Science Club at khsclub@vcu.edu or visit https://forms.gle/LVub9jzDJwjV8HCU9.
Become a You First Peer Mentor
The 2025 You First Peer Mentor application is open. Rising first-generation sophomores, juniors and seniors are invited to apply to mentor first-year, first-generation students and help them get to know VCU and learn about college. Mentors are also part of a close network of peers who support and celebrate each other. Learn about the program and apply at the following URL.
For more information, contact Elizabeth Bambacus, Ph.D., at bambacuses@vcu.edu or (804) 827-3927 or visit https://youfirst.vcu.edu/students/programs-and-initiatives/you-first-mentoring-program/.
Participants Are Invited for Study Examining the Impact of Acute and Chronic Stress on Cardiovascular Health
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. The principal investigator is Lee Franco, Ph.D., Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences. Questions: Email the KHS Healthy Heart Lab at healthyheart@vcu.edu.
For more information, contact Jeremy Via at healthyheart@vcu.edu.
Teen Health Brain Imaging Study
The Research on Excessive, Persistent and Emotion-based Actions and Traits (REPEAT) Lab is recruiting parents with and without a history of eating disorder symptoms and their teenage child (12-18 years) for a brain imaging study. The goal of the study is to understand how parent eating habits are related to eating habits and brain responding in their children. Parents and teens will be compensated for participating. See the survey at the following URL.
For more information, contact REPEAT Lab at repeat@vcu.edu or (804) 828-2658 or visit https://tinyurl.com/25wnkh7z.
Participants Are Invited for a Study on Student Awareness of On-Campus Resources
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.
For more information, contact Jess Hoy at hoyj2@vcu.edu or visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1I3jkZe3oTGVt0ufnnNU1aK1zlvbVzSRSAqoCfZ3AnIE/viewform?edit_requested=true.
Other resources
VCU Libraries workshops
See a schedule of workshops and classes that teach how to use collections and databases.
LinkedIn Learning @ VCU
Navigate a vast library of online video tutorials to supplement teaching, learning, and professional development.
RamsConnect events
View all of the student events happening on campus and register for events that interest you.