Faculty/staff Issue for May 5, 2025
Today
Gardening 101 at VCU Health Hub
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
On Mondays and Wednesdays, come learn how to grow your own food with Malique Middleton, entrepreneur in residence at the Health Hub, 1330 N. 25th St. The session will include a breakdown of gardening basics and the foundation to set you up to begin your urban farming journey. Gardening 102, Middleton's more in-depth garden talk, will be on Friday, May 16 from 1-3 p.m.
For more information, contact VCU Health Hub at vcuhealthhub@vcu.edu.
SHIFT Retail Lab Open House
3 p.m. to 5 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/.
This week
Youth Empowerment Through Facilitative Leadership: Building Youth Leadership Through Collaborative Approaches
Tuesday, May 6, 2025 from 10 a.m. to noon
This workshop at the Mary and Frances Youth Center, 120 S. Linden St., will help equip youth development professionals with facilitative leadership skills to engage youth in co-creating program plans and engage youth in leadership roles. Participants will leave the workshop with a variety of ways to expand the opportunities for youth to be leaders in creating and experiencing the programs designed to support their development. Facilitator/Partner will be Tammy Hobson, Collective Learning and Leading. Register at the following URL.
For more information, contact Vaughn Garland at garlandvw@vcu.edu or visit https://tockify.com/iexcel/detail/184/1746540000000.
Master of Decision Analytic Weekend Program Informational Webinar
Tuesday, May 6, 2025 at noon
Join the School of Business for an informational webinar to explore how the 16-month Master of Decision Analytics Weekend Program can elevate your career. Learn about the interactive curriculum, weekend schedule (that includes in-person and online courses), cohort experience, and application process. No registration required — join via https://vcu.zoom.us/j/82282792439
For more information, contact Rachel Kaeser at rekaeser@vcu.edu.
Health and Well-Being in the Workplace
Tuesday, May 6, 2025 at noon
Join VCU HR and Anthem EAP and discover how to enhance your health, well-being and productivity by relieving stress with simple relaxation techniques. Explore ergonomics and learn how to prevent on-the-job injuries caused by lifting, repetitive stress (such as carpal tunnel syndrome) and computer-related injuries (headache, eyestrain and back pain). The virtual discussion will include work-life balance, how to establish priorities and the importance of healthy eating and regular exercise. Register in Talent@VCU or at: https://bit.ly/4iBZ1Be
For more information, contact Cindi Phares at cphares@vcu.edu or visit https://hr.vcu.edu/worklife-at-vcu/employee-events/.
Navigating the National Science Foundation Grant Process
Wednesday, May 7, 2025 from noon to 1 p.m.
VCU's C. Kenneth and Dianne Wright Center for Clinical and Translational Research will continue its grant-writing series with a session via Zoom. Chris Lemmon, Ph.D., professor and associate chair, Biomedical Engineering, will discuss the application and review process of the National Science Foundation (NSF). Questions: 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/GbLF7R4WQVyglaRHTMAuhw.
Bioinformatics Bites Seminar: QIAGEN IPA License New Features for VCU Researchers
Wednesday, May 7, 2025 from noon to 1 p.m.
In this one-hour presentation, we will share an overview of the Land Explorer features recently added to our VCU IPA license, as well as other new features added in the latest release. Compare your ‘omics data to a curated database of over 700k healthy and diseased samples by linking IPA to QIAGEN OmicSoft Explorer. Investigate how gene or gene set expression varies in tissue, cell type, diseases or treatment contexts. Visualize how genomic alterations correlate with changes in expression, affect clinical outcomes and more Other new features can be found at https://digitalinsights.qiagen.com/products/qiagen-ipa/latest-improvements/archive/ Register at the following URL.
For more information, contact Karlyn Maggi at maggikb@vcu.edu or visit https://qiagen.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_6Nz0szVCT0K_7ae4ziQsiQ.
Core and More
Thursday, May 8, 2025 from noon to 12:30 p.m.
Join VCU HR and RecWell for this 30-minute virtual class that will not only give you an excellent abdominal and low back workout, but will also challenge your other major muscle groups as well. Register in Talent@VCU or at: https://bit.ly/3ET8wOJ
For more information, contact Cindi Phares at cphares@vcu.edu or visit https://ramstrong.vcu.edu/events/upcoming-events-for-employees/.
Leading With Emotional Intelligence: Intentional Practice
Thursday, May 8, 2025 from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
The HR Learning, Development and Organizational Culture team will offer a workshop via Zoom for managers. Register in Talent@VCU at: https://shorturl.at/9docj Managers must first complete the Leading with Emotional Intelligence eLearning before attending the workshop, available here: https://shorturl.at/JZrjD
For more information, contact Penelope McFarline at mcfarlinep@vcu.edu.
GEO Study Abroad/Away Program Development 101
Friday, May 9, 2025 at 10 a.m.
VCU's Global Education Office will host an interactive webinar for faculty or staff interested in leading a faculty-led study abroad/away program. Join the Global Learning staff to learn more about your next steps in developing a study abroad program with GEO at the following URL. Questions: Email Amy Leap, leapae@vcu.edu or Stephanie Tignor, davenportse@vcu.edu
For more information, contact Nicol Tinsley at nctinsley@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.zoom.us/j/89023616086?jst=2.
Coming up
Master of Science in Health Administration Virtual Informational Session
Monday, May 12, 2025 at 5 p.m.
Learn about the Master of Science in Health Administration in an upcoming virtual informational session. The hybrid program, accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education, prepares leaders in health care with full- and part-time completion options. Register for the Zoom link at the following URL.
For more information, contact Cameron Parkins at parkinsc@vcu.edu or visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSekZHdPkFwhFOtluQojc_SJaX0r9NrQ6Dn5KNYaQOfQTekn5w/viewform.
Upcoming Adobe Education Institute: Hands-On With Adobe Express
Monday, Jun. 9, 2025 at 9 a.m.
LEDstudio announces the Adobe Education Institute, will be held June 9–12 — an exclusive (and free) event for Adobe Creative Campus partners. Explore up to eight hands-on workshops designed to boost student engagement and support multimodal teaching with Adobe Express. Sessions are available live or on demand. To read more about this event visit: https://new.express.adobe.com/webpage/vB5O0oK7dt4WC
For more information, contact Ginny Thompson at vthompson5@vcu.edu or visit https://web.cvent.com/event/837c7ced-be6d-47b7-b93d-3ce9e4ca9fc7/regProcessStep1.
Notices
VCU Safety and Risk Management Renamed to VCU Occupational Health and Safety
The name change better reflects their subject-matter-expertise and areas of oversight – biological safety, environmental health and safety, fire safety, insurance, chemical safety, occupational health and safety, radiation safety and employee health.
For more information, contact Molly Case at casems@vcu.edu or visit https://healthsafety.vcu.edu/.
Call for Proposals: Global Impact Awards
VCU's Global Education Office has opened a call for 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. Completed proposals for both CFPs are due by Thursday, May 15, with awards announced by June 15.
For more information, contact Nicol Tinsley at nctinsley@vcu.edu or (804) 426-8053 or visit https://global.vcu.edu/newsroom/2024/global-impact-awards/.
RecWell OAP May Activities
RecWell’s Outdoor Adventure Program will host free activities in May. Activities will include whitewater rafting on Wednesday, May 21 and flatwater paddling on Wednesday, May 28. Activities are open to VCU students and RecWell members. Spaces for all activities are limited, so register early. 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 Last Semester to Use Lon-Capa
This is the last semester the VCU community will have access to Lon-Capa. Academic Technologies will discontinue support for this open-source LMS on July 1. Möbius has been procured and integrated with Canvas as an alternative. Questions: Visit the following URL or emcil the following address.
For more information, contact Jamillah Martin at jpmartin@vcu.edu or (804) 828-1844 or visit https://blogs.vcu.edu/learning-systems/2025/03/31/reminder-last-semester-lon-capa-is-available-for-use/.
Summer Institute for First-Generation and AAPI Student Success
The You First at VCU First-Generation Student Success and Research Center will host the 2025 Summer Faculty and Staff Institute for First-Generation and Asian American Pacific Islander Student Success. The institute will be held Tuesday, May 13 and Wednesday, May 14 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at West Grace North, Room 1030J, 830 W. Grace St., and will feature group activities, guest speakers, discussion topics and time for reflection. Participants will receive a $500 professional development award and an official Credly badge. Register at https://forms.gle/mKNmMwvF4aLfcfjq5
For more information, contact Elizabeth Bambacus at bambacuses@vcu.edu or visit https://youfirst.vcu.edu/faculty-and-staff/faculty-and-staff-development/faculty-programming-for-inclusive-teaching-for-faculty-and-staff/summer-faculty-institute-for-first-gen-and-aapi-student-success/.
Unlock New Skills With LEDstudio’s Micro-Course Offerings
LEDstudio will host 13 new micro-courses designed to help you ignite innovation in your classroom. Over the course of 30 days, you’ll have the opportunity to develop new skills and expand your knowledge on a variety of topics. Participants will earn a digital badge for each micro-course completed. Registration opens Monday, May 5 and seats are limited. Explore the full list and register at the following URL.
For more information, contact Cairo Jones at jonesc34@vcu.edu or visit https://ledstudio.vcu.edu/learning-resources/micro-courses/.
Apply Now – Community-Engaged Research Scholars Collaborative (CERSC)
We’re seeking six tenure-track assistant professors to join the Community-Engaged Research Scholars Collaborative (CERSC) — a new opportunity to deepen your practice in community-engaged research (CEnR), connect across disciplines and receive community-engaged mentorship. The stipend is $500. Questions: https://community.vcu.edu/facultystaff/community-engaged-research/cersc/ Apply at the following URL by Sunday, June 15.
For more information, contact Lorielle Bouldin at bouldinln@vcu.edu or visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSecEyKjABgtZJ7w3f3RztxRqtSiYVPsD3mZEEUiWtWx4sZkhg/viewform .
University Band - Come Play With Us
Registration is now open for the University Band (APPM 357), which is open to all VCU students and faculty. The band meets every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 3-3:50 p.m. and performs one concert per semester.
For more information, contact Philip Duane Coston at costonpd@vcu.edu or (804) 240-7974.
Call for Participants in a Research Study
We are recruiting adults that are 21+ who smoke cigarettes to complete a paid online survey. We want to understand how perceptions of the health harms from different nicotine and tobacco products among adults who smoke may influence the likelihood that someone might intend to purchase and use a product other than cigarettes.
For more information, contact Morgan Snell at ncorstudy@vcu.edu or (804) 828-8653.
Research Study on Stress Experiences in Young Black Women Ages 18-39
The Equity in Cardiovascular Health Outcomes (EqCHO) Lab at VCU is conducting a study on the stress experiences of young Black women. We would like to use the information gained from this study to develop a stress reduction program to improve cardiovascular health among young African American women. Resources will be provided on stress and health management. The study will take place over two consecutive weeks. Compensation is available. To check your eligibility and to sign up, visit: https://redcap.vcu.edu/surveys/?s=KYP34XPP8J7A8JJX
For more information, contact Anika Hines at eqcholab@vcu.edu or (804) 828-5030 or visit https://eqcho.lab.vcu.edu/.
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. Principal Investigator: Lee Franco, Ph.D., Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences. For more information, contact The KHS Healthy Heart Lab at healthyheart@vcu.edu.
For more information, contact Jeremy Via at healthyheart@vcu.edu.
Participants Are 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 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 The KHS Healthy Heart Lab at healthyheart@vcu.edu.
For more information, contact Jeremy Via at healthyheart@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.