Student Issue for April 8, 2025

Today

Navigating the Public Health Job Market

Add to calendar 08-04-2025 12:00:00 08-04-2025 13:00:00 America/New_York Navigating the Public Health Job Market VCU Career Services joins the Public Health Student Association to offer tools and tips for navigating the changing public health job market. This is part of National Public Health Week. The event will be in One Capitol Square, room 644, 830 E. Main St. and available via Zoom. One Capitol Square, Room 644, 830 E Main St. and virtual Maggie Christ christmm@vcu.edu DD/MM/YYYY

12 p.m. to 1 p.m.

VCU Career Services joins the Public Health Student Association to offer tools and tips for navigating the changing public health job market. This is part of National Public Health Week. The event will be in One Capitol Square, room 644, 830 E. Main St. and available via Zoom.

For more information, contact Maggie Christ at christmm@vcu.edu or visit https://sph.vcu.edu/education/nphw2025/.

2025 Excellence in Virginia Government Awards

Add to calendar 08-04-2025 12:00:00 08-04-2025 02:00:00 America/New_York 2025 Excellence in Virginia Government Awards Celebrate Excellence in Virginia Government at the 17th EVGA luncheon. The ceremony will take note of Virginians who have made exceptional contributions to government practice and the welfare of the Commonwealth's communities and citizens. Event proceeds will pay for the event and provide two $10,000 scholarships to Wilder School students. Sponsorship of this event will help secure annual support for future leaders in Virginia. The event will be at the Omni Richmond Hotel, 100 S. 12th St. Omni Riohmond Hotel David Slipher slipherd@vcu.edu DD/MM/YYYY

12 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Celebrate Excellence in Virginia Government at the 17th EVGA luncheon. The ceremony will take note of Virginians who have made exceptional contributions to government practice and the welfare of the Commonwealth's communities and citizens. Event proceeds will pay for the event and provide two $10,000 scholarships to Wilder School students. Sponsorship of this event will help secure annual support for future leaders in Virginia. The event will be at the Omni Richmond Hotel, 100 S. 12th St.

For more information, contact David Slipher at slipherd@vcu.edu or visit https://wilder.vcu.edu/news-and-events/signature-events/excellence-in-virginia-government-awards/.

VCU Writing Center Workshop: AI Prompt Crafting (Part 2)

Add to calendar 08-04-2025 15:00:00 08-04-2025 America/New_York VCU Writing Center Workshop: AI Prompt Crafting (Part 2) Develop effective strategies for understanding Large Language Models (LLMs). Registesr for the Zoom link at the following URL. https://writing.vcu.edu/calendar/ Trey Burnart Hall hallbr@vcu.edu DD/MM/YYYY

3 p.m.

Develop effective strategies for understanding Large Language Models (LLMs). Registesr for the Zoom link at the following URL.

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

Public Policy and International Affairs Junior Summer Institute Informational Session

Add to calendar 08-04-2025 15:30:00 08-04-2025 America/New_York Public Policy and International Affairs Junior Summer Institute Informational Session Sophomores and juniors interested in public policy and international affairs are encouraged to join a virtual session hosted by the National Scholarship Office to learn about the Public Policy and International Affairs (PPIA) Junior Summer Institute Fellowship (JSI) and other PPIA programs. The JSI is a fully funded program that prepares students for graduate study in public policy. Register at the following URL. Zoom (register for link) Meredith Sisson, Ph.D., mrsisson@vcu.edu DD/MM/YYYY

3:30 p.m.

Sophomores and juniors interested in public policy and international affairs are encouraged to join a virtual session hosted by the National Scholarship Office to learn about the Public Policy and International Affairs (PPIA) Junior Summer Institute Fellowship (JSI) and other PPIA programs. The JSI is a fully funded program that prepares students for graduate study in public policy. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Meredith Sisson, Ph.D., at mrsisson@vcu.edu or visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScrOrrmVPQATQ1i-YaMHv47ZLDRT_6uh4ynqWEVfMPcXqlq-w/viewform.

Need Help Finishing Your Application for VCU Mass Communications Graduate Program?

Add to calendar 08-04-2025 17:30:00 08-04-2025 America/New_York Need Help Finishing Your Application for VCU Mass Communications Graduate Program? 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 Robertson School also offers a certificate in Media and Leadership. Have you started an application and need help finishing? The Zoom link is https://vcu.zoom.us/my/robertsongrad Register at the following URL. https://vcu.zoom.us/my/robertsongrad Jonathan Brown brownj64@vcu.edu DD/MM/YYYY

5:30 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 Robertson School also offers a certificate in Media and Leadership. Have you started an application and need help finishing? The Zoom link is https://vcu.zoom.us/my/robertsongrad Register 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/.

This week

The Underground Presents Mix and Mingle, Featuring Dance and Performance Student Organizations at VCU

Add to calendar 09-04-2025 12:00:00 09-04-2025 14:00:00 America/New_York The Underground Presents Mix and Mingle, Featuring Dance and Performance Student Organizations at VCU Celebrate the arts, connect with fellow students and have unforgettable fun. Refreshments will be provided. The event will be in the Underground, Room 015, University Student Commons, 907 Floyd Ave. Check Rams Connect for more information. The Underground - Commons, 015 Raine Harris studentorg@vcu.edu DD/MM/YYYY

Wednesday, Apr. 9, 2025 from noon to 2 p.m.

Celebrate the arts, connect with fellow students and have unforgettable fun. Refreshments will be provided. The event will be in the Underground, Room 015, University Student Commons, 907 Floyd Ave. Check Rams Connect for more information.

For more information, contact Raine Harris at studentorg@vcu.edu.

VCU Toastmasters Spring '25 Open House

Add to calendar 09-04-2025 12:05:00 09-04-2025 12:50:00 America/New_York VCU Toastmasters Spring '25 Open House Join VCU Toastmasters Spring Open House to learn how Toastmasters can help improve your public speaking and build leadership skills. The meeting will be at the School of Engineering, West Hall, Room 106, and also available via Zoom. Register at the following URL. School of Engineering, West Hall, rm 106 Charleyne Kelley clkelley@vcu.edu DD/MM/YYYY

Wednesday, Apr. 9, 2025 from 12:05 p.m. to 12:50 p.m.

Join VCU Toastmasters Spring Open House to learn how Toastmasters can help improve your public speaking and build leadership skills. The meeting will be at the School of Engineering, West Hall, Room 106, and also available via Zoom. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Charleyne Kelley at clkelley@vcu.edu or (804) 828-2093 or visit https://vcu.zoom.us/j/82921531244.

RealLife Film Series: 'Vaccination From the Misinformation Virus'

Add to calendar 09-04-2025 12:15:00 09-04-2025 America/New_York RealLife Film Series: 'Vaccination From the Misinformation Virus' This documentary shown on PBS sheds light on how to overcome biases to understand why vaccines are safe, essential for community health and save millions of lives each year. The program provides an overview of how viruses spread, how they are contained and a brief history of vaccine development. It also explains how vaccines work and explores their potential future applications. The screening is free and will be in the second-floor lecture room, Health Sciences Library, 509 N. 12th St.. Register at the following URL. Health Sciences Library, 509 N. 12th St., Lecture Room (2nd floor) Sue Moss mosssr2@vcu.edu DD/MM/YYYY

Wednesday, Apr. 9, 2025 at 12:15 p.m.

This documentary shown on PBS sheds light on how to overcome biases to understand why vaccines are safe, essential for community health and save millions of lives each year. The program provides an overview of how viruses spread, how they are contained and a brief history of vaccine development. It also explains how vaccines work and explores their potential future applications. The screening is free and will be in the second-floor lecture room, Health Sciences Library, 509 N. 12th St.. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Sue Moss at mosssr2@vcu.edu or (804) 838-3737 or visit https://vcu.libcal.com/event/14133768.

United Native Voices To Screen 'Reservation Dogs'

Add to calendar 09-04-2025 18:00:00 09-04-2025 20:00:00 America/New_York United Native Voices To Screen 'Reservation Dogs' United Native Voices will host a movie night in the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs, Suite 215, 907 Floyd Ave. For the first event in the group's streaming series, FX’s “Reservation Dogs” will be screened. Attendance is open to all students, faculty and staff. OMSA Office - 907 Floyd Avenue, Suite 215 Hamilton "Rilee" Langston langstonhr@vcu.edu DD/MM/YYYY

Wednesday, Apr. 9, 2025 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

United Native Voices will host a movie night in the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs, Suite 215, 907 Floyd Ave. For the first event in the group's streaming series, FX’s “Reservation Dogs” will be screened. Attendance is open to all students, faculty and staff.

For more information, contact Hamilton "Rilee" Langston at langstonhr@vcu.edu.

Student Government Association Student Focus Group on DEI at VCU

Add to calendar 09-04-2025 19:00:00 09-04-2025 America/New_York Student Government Association Student Focus Group on DEI at VCU Share your thoughts about federal directives targeting DEI, such as the Dear Colleagues Letter, and your thoughts on VCU's response to them. Free pizza will be provided. The session will be in the University Student Commons, Metro Room, 907 Floyd Ave. RSVP at the following URL. Student Commons Metro Room Summer Neil neilsd@vcu.edu DD/MM/YYYY

Wednesday, Apr. 9, 2025 at 7 p.m.

Share your thoughts about federal directives targeting DEI, such as the Dear Colleagues Letter, and your thoughts on VCU's response to them. Free pizza will be provided. The session will be in the University Student Commons, Metro Room, 907 Floyd Ave. RSVP at the following URL.

For more information, contact Summer Neil at neilsd@vcu.edu or visit https://cglink.me/2dV/r1938487.

Unburying Voices: Community-Engaged Reparative Justice

Add to calendar 12-04-2025 10:00:00 12-04-2025 14:30:00 America/New_York Unburying Voices: Community-Engaged Reparative Justice VCU's Health Humanities Lab will host a symposium including presentations on the struggles of descendant communities for reparative justice. Presenters will include East Marshall Street Well (EMSW) Project Family Representative Council members; Ana Edwards, interviewer for the EMSW Oral History Project; Health Humanities Lab undergraduate and graduate fellows; and a roundtable discussion with Carmen Foster and Stephanie Smith, Family Representative Council, EMSW Project; Jazmin Benton, Sacharja Cunningham, and Lex Wilson, Finding Ceremony, Philadelphia; and Jessica Harris and DeTeasa Gathers, The Descendants of Enslaved Communities at the University of Virginia. The EMSW Project addresses the discovery of human remains and artifacts from the 19th century found in an abandoned well on the MCV campus in 1994. The project aims to ensure the remains, primarily of African descent, receive appropriate study, memorialization and reburial, reflecting the dignity they were denied in life and death. The event will be at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture, 428 N. Boulevard. Admission is free and all are welcome. Lunch will be served. RSVP at the following URL. Virginia Museum of History & Culture 428 N Boulevard Richmond, VA Chris Cynn cjcynn@vcu.edu DD/MM/YYYY

Saturday, Apr. 12, 2025 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

VCU's Health Humanities Lab will host a symposium including presentations on the struggles of descendant communities for reparative justice. Presenters will include East Marshall Street Well (EMSW) Project Family Representative Council members; Ana Edwards, interviewer for the EMSW Oral History Project; Health Humanities Lab undergraduate and graduate fellows; and a roundtable discussion with Carmen Foster and Stephanie Smith, Family Representative Council, EMSW Project; Jazmin Benton, Sacharja Cunningham, and Lex Wilson, Finding Ceremony, Philadelphia; and Jessica Harris and DeTeasa Gathers, The Descendants of Enslaved Communities at the University of Virginia. The EMSW Project addresses the discovery of human remains and artifacts from the 19th century found in an abandoned well on the MCV campus in 1994. The project aims to ensure the remains, primarily of African descent, receive appropriate study, memorialization and reburial, reflecting the dignity they were denied in life and death. The event will be at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture, 428 N. Boulevard. Admission is free and all are welcome. Lunch will be served. RSVP at the following URL.

For more information, contact Chris Cynn at cjcynn@vcu.edu or visit https://forms.gle/289mXVYo18MR4pSq9.

Coming up

CCI CVN Spring Speaker Series To Feature Sherif Abdelwahed on Building a Connected Future

Add to calendar 15-04-2025 10:00:00 15-04-2025 America/New_York CCI CVN Spring Speaker Series To Feature Sherif Abdelwahed on Building a Connected Future The Commonwealth Cybersecurity Initiative Central Virginia Node at VCU will continue its Spring Speaker Series via Zoom with Sherif Abdelwahed, Ph.D. Abdelwahed will discuss advancing OpenCyberCity for collaborative research, education and innovation. Register at the following URL. Zoom Sharmic Bartelle bartelles@vcu.edu DD/MM/YYYY

Tuesday, Apr. 15, 2025 at 10 a.m.

The Commonwealth Cybersecurity Initiative Central Virginia Node at VCU will continue its Spring Speaker Series via Zoom with Sherif Abdelwahed, Ph.D. Abdelwahed will discuss advancing OpenCyberCity for collaborative research, education and innovation. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Sharmic Bartelle at bartelles@vcu.edu or visit https://cci-cvn.org/spring-speaker-series-building-a-connected-future-advancing-opencybercity-for-collaborative-research-education-and-innovation/.

Notices

Graduating Students: Start Your Job Search With VCU Career Services Drop-In Advising

Graduating this year but unsure where to start your post-graduation job or graduate school search? Stop by the VCU Career Services Office during drop-in hours to meet with a Peer Career Counselor. No appointment is needed; sessions are open to all VCU students. The office is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. See details at the following URL.

For more information, contact Ashley Worthington at worthingtonar@vcu.edu or visit https://careers.vcu.edu/about/contact-us/.

RecWell OAP Summer Norwegian Adventure Sampler Multiday Trip

RecWell’s Outdoor Adventure Program will host a week of travel through Norway. Experience glacier peaks and valleys, canyoneer down waterfalls and sea kayak through a fjord. Explore villages and wilderness, all while experiencing new activities in a supportive and friendly environment. The price includes food, equipment, lodging and guides, but does not include airfare. An interest meeting will be held Thursday, April 10; Monday, April 21 and Wednesday, May 21 at 6 p.m. at the Outing Rental Center, 130 S. Linden St. The trip runs July 16-July 25 Register at the following URL by June 16.

For more information, contact Joey Parent at outdoors@vcu.edu or visit https://portal.recwell.vcu.edu/program/GetProgramDetails?courseId=f6cbbf86-0f41-4cd2-8d47-29e4bfd30d20.

VCU Spring Career Fair

Graduating? Looking for an internship or experiential opportunity? The VCU Spring Career Fair will be noon-3 p.m. Wednesday, April 9 in the University Student Commons, Richmond Salons and Commonwealth Ballroom, 907 Floyd Ave. Connect with organizations looking to hire VCU students for internships as well as full-time and part-time jobs. Not sure if you're ready for a job? Come chat with employers. Participating organizations will outline the skills and experiences they are looking for in an employee and help students learn about affinity groups and internal opportunities. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Tay Knighting at knightingta@vcu.edu or visit https://app.joinhandshake.com/career_fairs/3650bc1f-fda6-4084-8ab8-b5224128e6e1/student_preview.

Service-Learning Teaching Assistants Applications Open

Applications are now open for Service-Learning Teaching Assistants (SLTAs) for the upcoming semesters. SLTAs are exceptional undergraduate students who assist an instructor with a service-learning course. SLTAs provide an average of two to five hours per week of teaching assistance throughout the semester, including ongoing group and individual supervision with service-learning administration through a seminar course. Interested? Contact servelearn@vcu.edu or complete an application: https://forms.gle/W6kGbynrY3KanoHs7

For more information, contact Shanza Isom, Director of Engaged Transformative Learning at isomsa@vcu.edu or visit https://academics.provost.vcu.edu/transformative-learning/service-learning/.

Google Updates Recap: April

This month's Google updates enhanced collaboration in Gemini via Canvas, offers new research tools like Audio Overviews, improves Chat organization with custom sections and Boards and adds additional advanced table formatting in Sheets. Additionally, Meet now features scrollable captions and broader language support for recording transcriptions.

For more information, contact Doctor Gee at drgee@vcu.edu or visit https://blogs.vcu.edu/drgee/2025/04/02/google-updates-recap-april-2025/.

Application Open for Presidential Student Ambassadors 2025-2026

Visit the following URL or email the following address for more information about the program, which is open to sophomores, juniors and seniors.

For more information, contact Melody Wang at psambassadors@vcu.edu or (804) 828-1200 or visit https://forms.gle/MWQrAtPzF8uFoXYq6.

Fight Gender-Based Violence With 'Once Upon a Party' – Join Our Study for a Chance To Win $100

One in four college women and 7 percent of college men experience sexual assault, while 21 percent face dating violence. Although colleges are required to address these issues, many programs fail to engage students effectively. I’m Adrienne Baldwin-White, Ph.D., and I’ve created “Once Upon a Party,” a text-based, choose-your-own-adventure game designed to spark critical thinking about gender-based violence. In this game, you’ll navigate real-world situations that could lead to sexual or dating violence by responding to friends' text messages. Join my study to help test the game’s impact and get a chance to win one of five $100 gift cards. Click the link below to participate.

For more information, contact Adrienne Baldwin-White, Ph.D., at baldwinwhia@vcu.edu or visit https://vcuportal.questionpro.com/t/AXMyuZ5Ir0.

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 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 Jeremy Via at healthyheart@vcu.edu.

Participate in Two Psychology Studies (New Times and Sign-Up Dates Available)

VCU Social Psychology invites you to participate in two studies. Compensation is available. One: a study on including video materials in school teaching to make classes more engaging. Two: a study on how people react to fictional characters. You will fill out a 10-minute online questionnaire and then complete both studies in one lab session that will take about an hour. Find out if you are eligible at the following URL. New sign-up dates are available. If you have already completed the eligibility survey but the listed times did not work for you, email or call the researchers to schedule a different session time.

For more information, contact VCU HSS at vcuhss@gmail.com or (804) 554-0584 or visit https://redcap.vcu.edu/surveys/?s=3AJY3KMHN7NF87TY.

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.