11 a.m.

Develop effective strategies for understanding Large Language Models (LLMs). Register 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/.

11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The VCU Police Department will host a Start by Believing campaign event for the VCU community, which encourages everyone to pledge to end the cycle of silence and change the way we respond to sexual assault, domestic violence, stalking and child sexual abuse. Resource organizations across VCU and Central Virginia will be on hand at theCommons Plaza to answer questions and spread awareness. Those who attend can enjoy games and community building.

For more information, contact Cierra Eldridge at eldridgeci@vcu.edu or visit https://police.vcu.edu/sexual_violence/victim_witness_program.html.

2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Looking for an undergrad research opportunity? Come to the College of Humanities and Sciences Research Pecha Kucha. (A Pecha Kucha presentation is a format that uses 20 slides that are displayed for 20 seconds each.) Hear from students and faculty in the following research groups: James Vonesh Lab (Environmental Studies), Ryan Smith Research Group (Richmond Cemeteries), The Tibbets Lab (Strong-Field Chemistry), AI Futures Lab (AI Technologies and Impacts) and the Haynos Lab (Restrictive Eating Disorders: Neuroscience and Psychology). The event will be in the STEM Building, Room 202, 817 W. Franklin St. Register at https://forms.gle/LTBc6RBAvpDEJ93p9

For more information, contact Angela Reynolds at areynolds2@vcu.edu or visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSccu55F3nvj1upxA8B5DnZZz2hgGBxMnqhluoi8SDgAQVQgjQ/viewform?usp=dialog.

4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Join the Humanities Research Center for its Technology Humanities Speaker Series event with Margaret Hu, J.D., director of the Digital Democracy Lab at William and Mary Law School. The event will be at James Branch Cabell Library, Room 303, 901 Park Ave. A reception will follow. This event is co-sponsored with The Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Ellie Musgrave at musgraveec@vcu.edu or visit https://forms.gle/WCnEYFK5ExZkqLqc6.

7 p.m.

Decorate bookmarks or origami and donate them to support reading growth for children in literacy programs. Free pizza will be available. The session, hosted by Save the Children Action Network, will be in Grace E. Harris Hall, Room 2105, 1015 Floyd Ave.

For more information, contact SCAN at scanatvcu@gmail.com.

Thursday, Apr. 24, 2025 at noon

Join the Community Engagement Impact Collaborative for a panel hosted by the Division of Community Engagement on how institutions define and assess community engagement impact. Register for the Zoom link at the following URL.

For more information, contact Lorielle Bouldin at bouldinln@vcu.edu or visit https://forms.gle/6jD1aucX5VznqE268.

Friday, Apr. 25, 2025 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Are you feeling the weight of finals and deadlines? Take a break from the stress and join the School of Education for an uplifting event. Let your creativity flow as you paint away your worries, cuddle up with puppies to melt away stress and take a moment to express gratitude for the little things in life. Come to the Mary and Frances Youth Center, 120 S. Linden St., and recharge to cultivate positivity and resilience. Questions: Email soeinfo@vcu.edu

For more information, contact Jill Raugh at raughj@vcu.edu or (804) 295-8013.

Friday, Apr. 25, 2025 from noon to 2 p.m.

The Behavioral Health Research Lab will host Butts Up, a tobacco/nicotine-trash cleanup event in conjunction with Earth Day. Meet at the Checkers House in Monroe Park. Quit kits are available and those who attend will be entered into a gift card lottery.

For more information, contact Caroline Cobb at cobbco@vcu.edu or (804) 828-1867 or visit https://rampages.us/bhrlvcu/.

Friday, Apr. 25, 2025 from noon to 1:30 p.m.

Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center, Office of Community Outreach and Engagement, VCU Health and the Alzheimer's Association will host a discussion on balanced nutrition, smoking cessation, sleep and cognitive engagement. The session will be at the VCU Health Hub, 1330 N. 25th St., Suite A. Register at the following email address or by calling the following telephone number.

For more information, contact Office of Community Outreach & Engagement at engagemassey@vcu.edu or (804) 628-0896.

Saturday, Apr. 26, 2025 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Join the Philosophy of Medicine and Bioethics 4 Students clubs for our first-ever conference on the intersections of ethics, philosophy, public health and medicine. All are invited to join; hear from speakers like Michael Fine, M.D., founder of Primary Care for All Americans, network with community organizations and professionals and learn more about the applications of philosophy and bioethics in health care and beyond. Lunch will be provided and attendance is free. Students are encouraged to submit an abstract to present during the poster session. The session will be held at the STEM Building, 817 W. Franklin St.

For more information, contact Riya Bajpai at bajpair2@vcu.edu or visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScUQn69LwwoMkWpdGJG80osulkx3oVrznDxUob1PqMMlBSDPQ/viewform?usp=header.

Tuesday, Apr. 29, 2025 from noon to 2 p.m.

VCU's Office of First- and Second-Year Experiences will host an afternoon of live music, free food, games, activities and exclusive merchandise giveaways at the University Student Commons Plaza, 907 Floyd Ave. Connect with friends, celebrate your achievements and enjoy one last hurrah before finals hit.

For more information, contact Jonathan Fuller at fyesye@vcu.edu or visit https://cglink.me/2dV/r1938541.

Tuesday, Apr. 29, 2025 at 2 p.m.

Today’s classrooms often include students from multiple generations, each bringing unique perspectives, learning preferences and motivations. In this session, offered by the Learning Experience Design Studio, explore strategies for creating an inclusive learning environment that engages learners across age groups and experience levels. Learn how to adapt your teaching methods, leverage diverse perspectives, and incorporate flexible approaches into your presentations. Register for the Zoom link at https://vcu.zoom.us/meeting/register/vLv6EjcvQFS948fZ7EGsVA

For more information, contact Cario Jones at jonesc34@vcu.edu or visit https://ledstudio.vcu.edu/news-and-events/events/.

Tuesday, Apr. 29, 2025 from 8 p.m. to midnight

VCUDine will present Midnight Breakfast at Shafer Court Dining Center, 810 Cathedral Place. Take a break from studying for a jungle-themed Midnight Breakfast. Enjoy breakfast favorites, photo ops and a DJ dance party.

For more information, contact Margaret Massie at dining@vcu.edu or (804) 828-1148 or visit https://vcu.campusdish.com/.

Wednesday, Apr. 30, 2025 from noon to 1 p.m.

You’ve received a job offer — now it’s time to negotiate. Join Senior Associate Director of Career Services Megan Hollis in this workshop to learn a step-by-step approach to navigating salary negotiations. Gain insights on aligning compensation with your skills, abilities and the market for your field. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Erin Brown, Ph.D., at embbrown@vcu.edu or visit https://cglink.me/2dV/r1936391.

Wednesday, Apr. 30, 2025 at noon

Join the VCU School of Public Health for the "All of Us" Research Program at One Capitol Square, Room 644, 930 E. Main St., or via Zoom. The program is one of the largest and most diverse biomedical datasets of its kind. Learn how researchers can use this dataset to conduct studies and accelerate health research and enable the individualization of prevention, treatment and care. Register for the Zoom link at the following URL.

For more information, contact Katherine Peterman at petermankb@vcu.edu or visit https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/H49dmGFlSUSr-DJ-OrXtZQ.

Wednesday, Apr. 30, 2025 from 5 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.

VCU's Department of Political Science and the students of POLI 330 will host an evening with Del. Shelly Simonds in the Academic Learning Commons, Room 1201, 1000 Floyd Ave. POLI 330 (Lobbying) students will make their final presentations to Simonds (D-Va. House District 70) from 5-6:30 p.m. This will be followed by a conversation with Simonds from 6:45-7:15 p.m. and a reception in the second floor lobby of MCALC from 7:15-7:45 p.m. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Margot Moser at polistaff@vcu.edu or visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSepgrd9tRwWW-pFY-VBhH_rzyi-XfpxJZecSGa9UfvNW2AOXg/viewform.

Tuesday, May 6, 2025 at 3 p.m.

The Partnership for People With Disabilities at VCU along with the Home and Community Positive Behavior Support Network (HCPBS) and Parenting Special Needs magazine will host a webinar focusing on innovative strategies used by a person with intellectual disabilities and Stage 4 cancer to communicate his preferences and needs with his health care team. Health care support strategies and customizable visual supports and templates will be provided to participants. Questions: https://partnership.vcu.edu/ Register at the following URL. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Kayla Diggs Brody at diggskg@vcu.edu or visit https://tinyurl.com/CenteringChoice.

RecWell’s Outdoor Adventure Program offers Student Outdoor Leadership Experiences (SOLE), an intensive training program that forms the foundation of OAP trips. It focuses on skill development, personal growth and leadership for future OAP student leaders. Using the outdoors as a classroom, participants also connect with nature and learn to provide similar experiences on OAP trips. SOLE runs June 11-July 23. Register by Thursday, May 15 at the following URL.

For more information, contact Christina Spohn at spohncl@vcu.edu or visit https://recwell.vcu.edu/lead/leadership-programs/student-outdoor-leadership-experience/.

Looking for a fun and welcoming way to become involved on campus? Join a VCU choir this fall. Make music, make friends and be part of something meaningful. You do not need to be a music major. Choral Arts Society (APPM 359, CRN 29766) is open to students. No audition is required. Commonwealth Singers (APPM 358, CRN 29770) is an advanced mixed choral ensemble. An audition is required. Vox Concordia (APPM 378, CRN 32996) is an advanced treble choral ensemble. An audition is required. The choirs are sponsored by VCU's Department of Music. Apply at the following URL.

For more information, contact Christopher Hansen, Ph.D., at hansenc3@vcu.edu or visit https://arts.vcu.edu/music/ensembles/.

Take a brief survey about political knowledge and enter into a raffle to win one of two $25 Target gift cards. Take the survey at the following URL.

For more information, contact Connor Eppley at eppleyc@vcu.edu or (757) 615-2993 or visit https://bit.ly/PCKSurvey25.

As the semester winds down, students (and fellow colleagues) are invited to share words of gratitude with VCU professors. Our faculty work hard to make a positive impact - let them know you’ve noticed. Expressing kindness not only brightens someone’s day, it’s good for you too. Spread a little joy and send your VCU profs some well-deserved props through this link: https://forms.gle/Y5mnwDQQc95fe7CQA

For more information, contact Jordyn Richardson at ctle@vcu.edu or visit https://forms.gle/UKKs1x72vtErsENC6.

Ever wonder where your tuition dollars go or how VCU builds its budget? Now is your chance to ask. Click on the Google form at the following URL.

For more information, contact Student Government Association at sga@vcu.edu or visit https://forms.gle/fyRzCUKjt7cUS9bK7.

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.

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.

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/e/1FAIpQLSctIBpT8H0TVLHzE4sq66PB1aEx8HCkKwtNtbG8odN3VY0qIA/viewform?usp=sf.

Would you be interested in using AI to navigate your STEM career? Test AI prompts and complete a test report on AI mentoring to receive an $80 gift card. Spots are limited. Interested students should complete the participant survey at the following URL.

For more information, contact Chi-Ning Chang, Ph.D., at changc10@vcu.edu or visit https://forms.gle/ymcdpRxDQQhUQTHw8.

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.

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