10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.

VCU HR Benefits will host a Retirement Forms Review Workshop in the HR Training Building, 922 W. Grace St. This workshop will assist pending retirees with completing their retirement paperwork and answer any outstanding questions. All pending retirees are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity. This workshop is specifically for employees who have previously attended a “How To Retire” session (ORP or VRS). Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Kelvin Allen at allenkt@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.csod.com/ui/lms-learning-details/app/event/de0231f4-a42a-4e2a-a49d-7bf2d573b9fd?session=2c45a4b2-36c0-4f93-a5db-44bd1aa9d847.

12 p.m.

Learn more about graduate-level summer courses focused in Health Care Management at a webinar co-hosted by the VCU School of Business and VCU Department of Health Administration. Learn about our accelerated, experiential curriculum that dives into the unique issues affecting the health care industry, hybrid cohort format, and the application process. Join via Zoom link, no registration required.

For more information, contact Butch Sarma at mksarma@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.zoom.us/j/84097292411.

12 p.m. to 1 p.m.

Join the VCU Medical Center Health and Wellness Library and Tiffany Kimbrough, M.D., via Zoom to learn about supporting children with rare diseases, the difficulties that physicians face when addressing the complex and special needs of these patients and how physicians can work with patients’ families to ensure they get the best care possible. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Jackson Wright at jacksonwright9346@gmail.com or (804) 828-2432 or visit https://vcu.libcal.com/event/14070991.

2 p.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/.

3 p.m.

In this workshop, participants will learn how to create a Zotero account, import citations and PDFs from various platforms, organize references and generate in-text citations and bibliographies in Microsoft Word or Google Docs. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Trey Burnart Hall at hallbr@vcu.edu or visit https://writing.vcu.edu/calendar/.

Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Christopher Brooks, Ph.D., and Alvin Schexnider, Ph.D., will explore the challenges and opportunities facing Black faculty in higher education today. This event will focus on the importance of diversity in academia, the unique experiences of Black faculty members and the future of inclusion and equity in academic institutions. The session will be in the Academic Learning Commons, Room 1100, 1000 Floyd Ave. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Tre Straughter at inclusive@vcu.edu or visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe5yeMyv_se85kjzeURx3-InYnmwB-3AxfSP5EYlC2eogziYw/viewform.

Friday, Feb. 28, 2025 from noon to 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 offersr a certificate in Media and Leadership. Join a session at 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/.

Friday, Feb. 28, 2025 at 6 p.m.

Explore the importance of generational land preservation in this hybrid panel discussion. Experts will discuss challenges faced by Black landowners as well as innovative solutions and the cultural significance of maintaining ancestral properties. Plus, hear from Tracey Graves (B.S.’08), Lowcountry chapter leader, whose grandmother fought to preserve her family’s land in the Gullah Geechee community. VCU Alumni Council member Altimese Curry (B.S.’07) will moderate. Join at the following URL.

For more information, contact Kendra Robinson at robinsonkm10@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.zoom.us/j/86890993702.

Saturday, Mar. 1, 2025 at 8 p.m.

Jewish students at VCU are invited to a free pre-Pruim costume bash at Chabad House, 1003 Grove Ave. The costume contest winner will receive a trip for two to Florida and a hotel stay. The event will include food and drinks, games and competitons for prizes, face and hand painting, mocktails and a DJ and music. The event is free, but registration is required. The first 50 to sign up will receive a free gift. RSVP by testing PURIM to (804) 735-1070.

For more information, contact Rabbi Menachem Lessof at rabbi@vcu.edu or (804) 404-3637 or visit https://student.chabadoncampus.org/vcu/rsvp/events/31277.

Monday, Mar. 3, 2025 at 5 p.m.

VCU's Departments of Craft/Material Studies will present a lecture by visiting artist Jomo Tariku at the Grace Street Theater, 934 W. Grace St. Tariku’s furniture designs draw inspiration from Africa’s cultural heritage, historical structures, traditional furniture, craft, colors, artifacts, landscapes, wildlife and even hairstyles. Beyond furniture design, he applies his skills to showcase African stories through data visualizations and has diversified into other creative spaces, including public art sculptures and wallpaper design.

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

Tuesday, Mar. 4, 2025 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

The Campus Learning Center will present a hybrid session for those preparing to apply for graduate school, scholarships, fellowships or internships. A strong letter of recommendation can make all the difference. The session will be available in-person (Science Hub, STEM Building, 817 W. Franklin St.) and via Zoom (RamsConnect at https://cglink.me/2dV/r1937862)

For more information, contact Shelita Augustus at augustuss@vcu.edu.

Tuesday, Mar. 4, 2025 at 10 a.m.

The Commonwealth Cybersecurity Initiative Central Virginia Node at VCU wil continue its Spring Speaker Series with Cong Shen, Ph.D. This event will take place virtually via Zoom. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Sharmic Bartelle at bartelles@vcu.edu or visit https://cci-cvn.org/spring-speaker-series-transforming-physical-layer-designs-in-wireless-communications/.

Tuesday, Mar. 4, 2025 from noon to 12:30 p.m.

Take a break from the noise to find a quiet reflection in the middle of your day with this virtual guided meditation. This meditation, brought to you by VCU HR and RecWell, is suitable for all levels of practice. Register in Talent@VCU or at: https://tinyurl.com/4w2yker8

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

Tuesday, Mar. 4, 2025 at 3:30 p.m.

Move from “addition” to “transformation” in your inclusion work, deconstructing existing practices and working with peers to build something new. Choose to attend one or more of the following sessions: Tuesday, March 4, 3:30 p.m.; Wednesday, March 5, noon; or Thursday, March 6, 12:30 p.m. Register at https://vcu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYrdu6przouGtQR_ZIDT8t2nlZQs8HgOPok#/registration

For more information, contact Jackson Bartlett at inclusive@vcu.edu or visit https://inclusive.vcu.edu/education/workshops/#d.en.723962.

Wednesday, Mar. 5, 2025 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

What's going on? It's a good question, and one the faculty in VCU Political Science have been asked a lot lately. Join the Department of Political Science in the Academic Learning Commons (MCALC), Room 1201, 1000 Floyd Ave., for a panel discussion to try and make sense of it all. Send questions in advance and register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Margot Moser at polistaff@vcu.edu or visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe8C_cDWeKrqPKMRvUbvf3oMTOLzP7X4CkFjHhGJkQx-Kpadw/viewform.

Thursday, Mar. 6, 2025 at noon

VCU's L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs will hold a graduate programs virtual informational session via Zoom for VCU employees. An overview of the school's flexible graduate programs, a review of the employee tuition benefit and an alumni panel will be presented. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Ross Losapio at losapior@vcu.edu or (804) 827-0364 or visit https://bit.ly/ws4vcuspring25.

Wednesday, Mar. 19, 2025 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

VCU's Global Education Office invites you to participate in Cultural Conversations with students from La Salle University in Oaxaca, Mexico. Participants will have the opportunity to discuss culture and customs with their peers at La Salle and assist them in practicing their English conversation skills. Sessions will take place on Wednesday, March 19; Wednesday, March 26; Wednesday, April 2 and Thursday, April 3 from 6:30-8:30 p.m.via Zoom. To express interest, sign up using this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSexM_1CZzHgEgxb3SPJaOPc7CJVwljjJjh3PSK2SOOjNc9jcw/viewform

For more information, contact English Language Program at geo-elp@vcu.edu or (804) 828-2551 or visit https://global.vcu.edu/students/community/cultural_conversations/.

Wednesday, Apr. 9, 2025 from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Submit an abstract for the 19th Annual Women's Health Research Day. The symposium this year is titled "Nutrition and Women's Health." The symposium wil begin at 1 p.m. followed by a poster session and reception from 3-4:30 p.m. The event will be held at the Jonah L. Larrick Student Center, 900 Turpin St. Abstracts from all fields with elements of women's health and/or sex/gender differences are encouraged. Awards will be given for best posters in basic, clinical/translational and community sciences. Monetary awards will be given for to a Young Investigator and best interdisciplinary abstract. Submit an abstract by 5 p.m. Monday, March 24 at the following URL.

For more information, contact Lillia Thumma at thummadl@vcu.edu or visit https://womenshealth.vcu.edu/research/womens-health-research-day-2025/.

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 Call for Nominations: 2025 Presidential Awards for Community Multicultural Enrichment at inclusive@vcu.edu or visit https://president.vcu.edu/nominations/pacme/.

How are those first exams going? Schedule an appointment to meet with an academic coach from the Campus Learning Center to discuss your academic progress and formalize a plan for success. The center specializes in time management, study strategies and goal setting. Get started by filling out this form: https://forms.gle/BJiLBh9FVNkRREm98

For more information, contact Bridget Prince at bprince@vcu.edu or visit https://clc.vcu.edu/academic-coaching/.

Ramadan is a significant religious observance for many students, faculty and staff at VCU. The Global Education Office encourages the campus community to engage in learning about this important month to better understand the experiences of those who observe it. This year, Ramadan is expected to begin on Friday, Feb. 28 and conlude on Saturday, March 29 contingent upon the sighting of the new moon. We encourage everyone to learn more about Ramadan to promote awareness and understanding within our diverse university community. More information can be found at the following URL.

For more information, contact Kelly Richard at richardkj@vcu.edu or visit https://global.vcu.edu/newsroom/2023/ramadan/.

VOAA invites state agencies to submit proposals for evidence-based initiatives addressing the opioid crisis. Funded projects should align with priority areas such as mobile crisis services, overdose reduction, treatment access, recovery supports and workforce development. VCU may submit one institutional proposal, coordinated through the Wright Center. Internal proposals should align with VOAA criteria and Quest 2028 goals, emphasizing research impact and community engagement. Awards range from $80K–$1.5M for projects up to five years. Submit internal applications no later than 5 p.m. Monday, March 3 via RAMS-SPOT internal funding opportunity OP00000785.

For more information, contact Elizabeth Fortune at efortune@vcu.edu or (804) 827-1936 or visit https://blogs.vcu.edu/cctr/2025/02/21/limited-submission-opportunity-virginia-opioid-abatement-authority-voaa-funding-2025-cycle/.

This study is seeking children and adolescents (ages 6-17) with current heel pain (Sever’s disease) or who are currently healthy without musculoskeletal injuries for participation. The purpose of this research study is to assess muscles, tendons and skeletal development of young patients with and without heel pain. This study will require one 45-minute study visit at the Children’s Hospital of Richmond (parking validated) and will include an electronic questionnaire about health and sport participation, foot, ankle and calf ultrasound imaging assessment and ankle x-ray assessment (heel pain participants only). Participants will be paid $50 for completing this study. Principal Investigator: Alexandra Lempke, Ph.D., ATC

For more information, contact Gina Chan at gina.chan@vcuhealth.org.

This study is seeking individuals between the ages of 18 and 35 years who have GAD or symptoms of GAD. The purpose of this research study is to examine the effect of cold water immersion on GAD symptoms with specific focus on blood vessel function. This study will be conducted at 500 Academic Centre on VCU’s Monroe Park Campus. Principal Investigator: Ryan Garten, Ph.D., Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences.

For more information, contact Ryan Garten at rsgarten@vcu.edu.