2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Ivy Bell, VCU Health Hub certified community health worker, has created a mental health event series that dives into helpful strategies for mental health awareness month. This is the second event of this series is "Poetic Justice." Learn how journaling can benefit your mental well-being. Get your own notebook, enjoy snacks and listen to music. The event will be at the VCU Health Hub, 1330 N. 25th St. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact VCU Health Hub at vcuhealthhub@vcu.edu or visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd0817OEkCDuEsL2W5edSOU0JI9nTlDdUULTusA1Z2SVSHqgA/viewform.

Thursday, May 15, 2025 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

The VCU School of Education and Engineering Career Services present Navigating STEM Careers with AI at the VCU College of Engineering, West Hall, Room 105, 601 W. Main St. This workshop, funded by the VCU School of Education Get Centered Award, invites STEM/Engineering graduate students to explore career planning through MyIDP, AI-powered prompts and hybrid mentoring models. Free snacks and coffee will be provided. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Chi-Ning (Nick) Chang, Ph.D., at changc10@vcu.edu or visit https://forms.gle/aqnB9Qokeo9Zpfnd9.

Tuesday, May 20, 2025 from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

VCU Psychology invites participation in two studies on the Monroe Park campus for which 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. Those who take part will fill out a 10-minute online questionnaire and then complete both studies in one lab session that will take about an hour. See more details and find out if you are eligible at the following URL. New signup dates are available. If you have already completed the eligibility survey but the listed times did not work for you, contact the researchers to schedule a different session time.

For more information, contact VCU HSS at vcuhss@gmail.com or (804) 554-0584.

Monday, Aug. 18, 2025 at 4 p.m.

Student organizations are needed to cheer on the class of 2029 in Monroe Park as they complete the Ram Spirit Walk. To reserve your spot, complete the Google form at the following URL. The Student Alumni Council will reach out to participants with event details. The council will also sponsor a $500 prize for participating organizations that show the most spirit, which includes wearing VCU gear, displaying VCU and/or welcome signs, being loud and a high member participation.

For more information, contact Breydon Horton at hortonb2@vcu.edu or visit https://forms.gle/3e4WRyU9Vp5SPJRZ9.

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/.

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 Wednesday, May 21 at 6 p.m. at the Outing Rental Center, 130 S. Linden St. The trip runs July 16-25. Register at the following URL.

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.

Whether you’re a Ram by education or employment (or both), you need some cool VCU gear. From classic hoodies and T-shirts to bags and tumblers, VCU Spirit Shop is your go-to place for alumni and school-specific gear to rep VCU your way. Spirit Shop is sponsored by the Office of Development and Alumni Relations.

For more information, contact Courtney Hammack, associate director of corporate relations, Development and Alumni Relations at hammackcc@vcu.edu or visit https://collegethread.com/pages/virginia-commonwealth-university-shop-colleges.

Dining plans end on Saturday, May 10 at 10:30 a.m. Fall 2025 dining plans are now available. Students who sign up for a plan through May 9 will receive a $25 Grubhub credit. Find a dining plan at the following URL.

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

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.

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 richardsonj9@vcu.edu or visit https://forms.gle/UKKs1x72vtErsENC6.

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.

The Translational Research on Eating and Affect (TREAT) Lab is recruiting adolescents and young adults assigned female at birth (aged 12 to 25 years) for a brain imaging study to understand risky decision-making in individuals who have concerns about their body shape/weight, or overeat, purge, use laxatives, diet severely, or exercise excessively. We are also investigating these processes in individuals without a psychological disorder. There will be compensation for participation.

For more information, contact TREAT Lab (or Serena Gu, Clinical Research Coordinator, or Kelsey Hagan, Ph.D., PI) at treatlab@vcuhealth.org or (804) 827-4174 or visit https://redcap.vcu.edu/surveys/?s=48YEAYT8MK33E8EJ.

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.

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.