Student Issue for February 7, 2025
Today
VCU Mass Communications Graduate Program Informational Sessions
11:30 a.m. to 12 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. A certificate in Media and Leadership is also available. The program will also be offered today, Friday, Feb. 7 from 3-3:30 p.m. The Zoom link is https://vcu.zoom.us/my/robertsongrad.
For more information, contact Jonathan Brown at brownj64@vcu.edu or (804) 525-9425 or visit https://robertson.vcu.edu/academics/graduate/.
NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program
2 p.m.
VCU's National Scholarship Office will hold a hybrid National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program in the NSO Conference Room (1210), 701 W. Grace St., or via Zoom. Juniors, seniors and first- and second-year graduate students in STEM fields are encouraged to join to learn more about the NSF's Graduate Research Fellowship Program, which funds up to three years of graduate study in non-medical STEM disciplines. Register at the following URL.
For more information, contact Meredith Sisson, Ph.D., at natlscholar@vcu.edu or visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScZhJhqRKxCJvRon4-f2XY-c57oXDPu78ZKShVZGZY5LzlvvA/viewform.
Black and Abroad: Global Leadership Conference
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
VCU's Global Education Office will host a mini-conference in the University Student Commons, Richmond Salons, 907 Floyd Ave. The event is in celebration of Black History Month. Lunch will be provided. Register at the following URL.
For more information, contact Kelly Richard at richardkj@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.campusgroups.com/eduabroad/rsvp_boot?id=1936421.
This week
Justice in Motion: Sitelines BLM Film Festival
Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025 from noon to 2 p.m.
Sitelines BLM Film Festival is produced by Cadence Theatre Company to bring contemporary works to public spaces and cultural venues throughout Richmond. By offering performances in public spaces, Sitelines BLM Film Festival aims to increase community participation in live theater and encourage people to rediscover and engage with our city spaces. Sitelines BLM Film Festival is also focused on building connections, promoting inclusion and encouraging dialogue within our community. The event will be at the Modlin Center for the Arts, 453 Westhampton Way.
For more information, contact University of Richmond Student Center for Equity and Inclusion at scei@richmond.edu or visit https://tickets.modlin.richmond.edu/5548/5549.
Coming up
PennyAppeal Doughnuts and Coffee Fundraiser
Monday, Feb. 10, 2025 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
PennyAppeal will sell doughnuts and coffee in the lobby of the University Student Commons, 907 Floyd Ave., to help support the organization's efforts to serve the local homeless population.
For more information, contact PennyAppeal at officialpennyappealatvcu@gmail.com.
VCU Biology Seminar Series
Monday, Feb. 10, 2025 from noon to 1 p.m.
Karen Barnard-Kubow, Ph.D., Genomics Research Director and Education Coordinator at James Madison University, will speak at the VCU Biology Seminar Series. Barnard-Kubow's talk will be "Exploring Plant Speciation and Aquatic Community Ecology Through Sequencing in the Classroom" in the Trani Center for Life Sciences, Room 253, 1000 W. Cary St. Questions: Email biology@vcu.edu
For more information, contact Joseph Ellis at ellisjt2@vcu.edu or (804) 828-1562.
Rams Aging and Engaging Valentine Volunteering Event
Monday, Feb. 10, 2025 from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Make Valentine’s Day grams for low-income elderly individuals and learn more about the organization's mission to support older adults in our community. The event will be held in the Honors College Multipurpose Room (1303), 701 W. Grace St.
For more information, contact Rhea Chatterjee at chatterjeer2@vcu.edu.
PennyAppeal Pack-A-Bag
Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
PennyAppeal will host a Pack-A-Bag event in the Honors College Multipurpose Room (1303, 701 W. Grace St.) to 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.
Unhoused Crisis: Film Screening and Workshop With Bruce Mau's Massive Change Network Hosted by the National Building Museum, Washington, D.C.
Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025 from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Join the Massive Change Network at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C., for a screening of the documentary short film "I Have A Name" by partner Theorem Media followed by an immersive Massive Action Life-Centered Design workshop with Bruce Mau and Bisi Williams. This event is free and all are welcome.
For more information, contact Kristin Carleton at carletonkr@vcu.edu or visit https://ihaveanamedcworkshop.rsvpify.com/?securityToken=n6vMjs3WSbV6GO9qGY8KDeKybt3yEWIE.
Walking the Talk: Centering Values in Institutional and Team Leadership
Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025 at noon
When it comes to leadership, we sometimes fall back on what we know, regardless of our values. In this workshop, participants will come away with concrete strategies for translating inclusive and team-centered values into practice. Register at https://vcu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0qcOipqjgoHd0JBq-AOzx63g_OCiG48Q4d#/registration
For more information, contact Tre Straughter at inclusive@vcu.edu or visit https://inclusive.vcu.edu/education/.
Call for Student Artwork and Panelists: Healing Through Heritage Event
Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025 at 6 p.m.
Are you a person of color who is a survivor of domestic violence or sexual assault or do you have a story of resilience to share? Submit your artwork for an upcoming showcase or apply to be a panelist to share your journey of strength and healing. The event is sponsored by VCU's Office of Multicultural Student Affairs and Student Support Services and will be at the SHIFT Retail Lab, 1235 E. Broad St. Submit artwork via email by Monday, Feb. 10 to barrionk@vcu.edu
For more information, contact Deanie Barrion at barrionk@vcu.edu or visit http:// barrionk@vcu.edu .
Medical Lab Sciences Application Workshop
Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
The Pre-Health advisers will have an application workshop for students interested in applying to the Medical Laboratory Sciences program this year. This workshop will go over tips for filling out the application, which is due next month. RSVP for the Zoom link at the following URL.
For more information, contact Tim Adams at tmadams@vcu.edu or visit https://forms.gle/j9tzBooJMsXzBFf56.
Living Legacies Series - Community Dialogues: A Conversation With VCU School of Dentistry Alumni
Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025 at noon
Join the 2025 Living Legacies conversation as Carlos Smith, DDS, MDiv, speaks with VCU School of Dentistry alumni Tonya A. Parris-Wilkins, DDS, and James Watkins, DDS, as they share their journeys in the dental profession. Register at the following URL. This series is sponsored by the History and Health program and the School of Dentistry. The session will be at the Baxter Perkinson Jr. Building, Room 3121, 1101 E. Leigh St.
For more information, contact Logan Vetrovec at healthequity@vcu.edu or visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfYAro9p0PmbAVcqe4YEXl_CcnPsLQq4uLz4a7VNuMinLXX7w/viewform.
Notices
Camden Whitehead: A Visual Manifesto
An exhibition of the work of School of the Arts Professor Emeritus Camden Whitehead will be on view at the Branch Museum of Architecture and Design, 2501 Monument Ave. The exhibit, on view through February, features watercolors, printmaking, furniture design, travel sketches and furniture design from architect Camden Whitehead.
For more information, contact W. Camden Whitehead at wcwhiteh@vcu.edu or (804) 512-2371 or visit https://branchmuseum.org/camden-whitehead-a-visual-manifesto/.
Join VCU's 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.
VCUDine Updates and Events
The Snack Nook is now open in Grace E. Harris Hall, 1015 Floyd Ave. Enjoy cashless convenience using swipes, dining dollars, credit or debit. Plus, don’t miss special events this month at Shafer Court Dining Center, 810 Cathedral Place. Events include Spice Up Your Spring (Feb. 7: 11 a.m.-close), Sweet Your Heart Out (Feb. 14: 11 a.m.-close), Steak Night (Feb. 19: 5 p.m.-close), National Pancake Day (Feb. 21: 7 a.m.-10:30 a.m.) and Flavor Feuds: Chef Competition (Feb. 25: 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.).
For more information, contact Margaret Massie at dining@vcu.edu or (804) 828-1148 or visit https://vcu.campusdish.com/.
Graduate Student Stipend and Cost of Living Survey
Please take 10 minutes to fill out the survey at the following URL. Emails are not collected. Access is limited to VCU only and requires a sign-in.
For more information, contact VCU Graduate and Professional Student Senate Executive Board at gpss@vcu.edu or visit https://forms.gle/Rm6ZrchJmpdk6baWA.
Summer Studies Courses Posted in eServices
Summer courses are published in eServices and can also be viewed at the following URL. Summer registration begins for all students, regardless of credits earned, on Tuesday, Feb. 11. Speak with your academic adviser to see which summer classes will fit in your degree plan.
For more information, contact Elizabeth Bambacus at bambacuses@vcu.edu or (804) 827-4586 or visit http://summer.vcu.edu.
Application Open: You First at VCU Student Success Research Grants
The 2025 You First at VCU Student Success Research Grants application is now open. With funding from the U.S. Department of Education, You First invites applications for funds to support scholarly activity focused on irst-generation student success and improving Asian American and Pacific Islander first-generation and/or low-income college student success. Apply at the following URL by 5 p.m. Sunday, March 2.
For more information, contact Elizabeth Bambacus at youfirst@vcu.edu or (804) 827-3927 or visit https://youfirst.vcu.edu/faculty-and-staff/research-opportunities/first-generation-student-success-research-grants/.
Arts and Faith Circle
The Pace Center, 700 W. Franklin St., will host Arts and Faith Circle on Fridays from 2-3 p.m. Explore how you experience and express your relationship with God through the arts. Students will lead sessions focused on music, dance, poetry, theater and visual arts. All are welcome.
For more information, contact Russ Kerr at kerrr@vcu.edu or visit https://www.thepacecenter.com/.
Google Updates Recap: February 2025
This month’s Google features post brings improvements to mentions in Google Chat, granular responder link sharing in Google Forms and instant video playback for newly uploaded videos to Google Drive.
For more information, contact Doctor Gee at drgee@vcu.edu or visit https://blogs.vcu.edu/drgee/2025/02/06/google-updates-recap-february-2025/.
Call for Nominations: 2025 Presidential Awards for Community Multicultural Enrichment
Nominations are being accepted for the 2025 Presidential Awards for Community Multicultural Enrichment (PACME). The VCU and VCU Health System communities are invited to nominate a faculty member, staff member, academic or administrative leader or organization, or a student or student organization. Submit nominations by Monday, March 3 using this link: https://forms.gle/z1pGNGMH9UWJqxts5
For more information, contact VCU Inclusive at inclusive@vcu.edu or visit https://president.vcu.edu/nominations/pacme/.
Participants Invited for a Study Examining Psychosocial Stress and Cardiovascular Health in Sexual and Gender Minority Adults
This study is inviting individuals between the ages of 18 and 30 who identify as cis-gender heterosexual for the control group in addition to individuals who identify as LGBTQ. 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 Lee Franco, Ph.D., Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences, at healthyheart@vcu.edu.
Tell Us About Your Experiences Using On-Campus Rresources
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.
Participants Are Invited For Study Examining the Impact of Cold Water Immersion on Cardiovascular Health
This study is seeking individuals between the ages of 18 and 55 years. The purpose of this research study is to examine the effect of cold water immersion on blood vessel function. This study will be conducted at 500 Academic Centre on VCU’s Monroe Park Campus. Principle Investigator: Ryan Garten, Ph.D., Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences.
For more information, contact Ryan Garten at rsgarten@vcu.edu.
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.