1 p.m.

Learn about the tools you need to write your best personal statement at a workshop featuring examples of strong, successful statements as well as less successful ones. 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/.

2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Come learn how to grow your own food with Malique Middleton, entrepreneur in residence at the Health Hub, 1330 N. 25th St. This month's Gardening 102 Workshop will be about vermiculture: worm composting at home. The session will have a short talk about vermiculture, its benefits and how to set up your own bins.

For more information, contact Malique Middleton at middletonme3@vcu.edu.

Tuesday, Jun. 17, 2025 from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Important training will be held for the Human Research Protection Program/Institutional Review Board (HRPP/IRB) and research community. The HRPP/IRB is preparing to launch VIRBs, our new IRB system, this summer. Join us for new IRB system (VIRBs) research community training demonstrations for human subjects researchers, study teams, administrators, regulatory coordinators, or anyone supporting human research at VCU. This training session focuses on the process for Initial Single-Site Submissions in VIRBs. All training sessions will be recorded and recordings will be posted on the HRPP Kaltura channel. Registration is required. Register for the virtual link at the following URL.

For more information, contact Jennifer Rice at irbeducation@vcu.edu or (804) 828-3992 or visit https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/Hh5ueI79R5movBTQHEsBnw.

Tuesday, Jun. 17, 2025 at 11 a.m.

VCU's Richard T. Robertson School of Media and Culture will host virtual informational sessions for prospective students to learn more about the graduate certificate in Media and Leadership. Join us Tuesday, June 17 at 11 a.m. or 5:30 p.m. at https://vcu.zoom.us/my/robertsongrad. Questions: Visit https://robertson.vcu.edu/academics/graduate/. The same sessions will also be held at noon and 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 18.

For more information, contact Jonathan Brown at brownj64@vcu.edu or (804) 525-9425 or visit https://robertson.vcu.edu/academics/graduate/media-and-leadership-certificate/.

Tuesday, Jun. 17, 2025 from noon to 12:30 p.m.

This 30-minute virtual session brought to you by VCU HR and RecWell 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/4dEpY6M

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

Wednesday, Jun. 18, 2025 at noon

Shannon Pierce, president and CEO of Virginia Natural Gas, will discuss the ways industries can support the transformative power of education and job readiness. The presentation will be part of the Lunch and Learn series hosted by VCU's L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs. Pierce will share insights on how Virginia Natural Gas has partnered with educational institutions and community organizations by fostering economic growth and enhancing the quality of life for the areas they serve. The talk will be moderated by Jason Burkett, Wilder School senior research consultant. Register for the Zoom link at the following URL.

For more information, contact David Slipher at slipherd@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_qQTZZeDcQruQxRpFtxOUog#/registration.

Wednesday, Jun. 18, 2025 at 4 p.m.

Attend a virtual informational session. Also, build confidence in your writing by breaking down the process into manageable chunks. 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/.

Wednesday, Jun. 18, 2025 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.

VCU's Kenneth and Dianne Wright Center for Clinical and Translational Research and VCU Health's Office of Clinical Research will host a monthly series to address various topics about clinical research, provide updates from VCU and VCU Health and address hot-button concerns. For the next topic, Brian Cassel, Ph.D., associate professor, VCU Hematology/Oncology and Palliative Care, will present “Conducting State-of-the-Art Retrospective Chart Review Studies.” Register for the virtual session at the following URL.

For more information, contact Lauren Haris at harrisl4@vcu.edu or (804) 363-5616 or visit https://vcu.zoom.us/meeting/register/5SKGAm0BRIquobB5xhPDXA.

Wednesday, Jun. 18, 2025 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Want to learn more about the No. 1 graduate program for advertising and branding in the U.S.? Join us for a virtual informational session — like a Brandcenter 101 — to learn about how we develop the most prominent thinkers and creatives in the industry. We’ll chat about our program, our four concentrations (art direction, copywriting, creative brand management and strategy), the admission process and more. The Brandcenter is still accepting applications for Fall 2025 entry. Register for the Zoom link at the following URL.

For more information, contact Brandcenter Admissions at brandcenter@vcu.edu or (804) 828-8384 or visit https://connect.business.vcu.edu/register/Info-Session-June-2025?utm_source=TelegRam.

Tuesday, Jun. 24, 2025 at 10 a.m.

Recent challenges at VCU, coupled with broader state and national concerns, have created a stressful environment for many. We've heard from staff who are feeling the weight of these collective stressors. To support you during this time, VCU Human Resources has partnered with Anthem EAP to offer a counseling support session led by a licensed facilitator. The session will provide support, information and practical tips for managing stress and fostering well-being amidst uncertainty. This will also be an opportunity for those who attend to share their concerns in a supportive setting. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Cindi Phares at cphares@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.zoom.us/j/81258746792.

Thursday, Jun. 26, 2025 from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

The HR Learning, Development and Organizational Culture team will offer an online workshop for managers. Register by Tuesday, June 24 in Talent@VCU at https://bit.ly/3ZgAWtt Participants must first complete the Leading With Emotional Intelligence eLearning before attending the workshop, available at https://bit.ly/3CF4IiR

For more information, contact Penny McFarline at mcfarlinep@vcu.edu or visit https://hr.vcu.edu/current-employees/services/course-catalog/.

Wednesday, Jul. 2, 2025 from 10 a.m. to noon

VCU Emergency Management will host a Stop the Bleed Course at Harris Hall, Room 2107, 1015 Floyd Ave. The course is designed to teach community members how to render aid to themselves and others during a bleeding emergency. Registration is free and can be completed by selecting the course on the CTCCE Training Calendar. The registration link is below.

For more information, contact Matthew Majid at majidM@vcu.edu or visit https://reg.learningstream.com/reg/event_page.aspx?ek=0082-0003-e9a18e2743fa486894fbc9ad41a1156e.

Friday, Jul. 11, 2025 at noon

VCU's Global Education Office will offer a summer session of the Global Zone workshop for VCU faculty and staff to explore best practices for working with international students (generally defined as J-1 or F-1 visa holders). This workshop offers knowledge, skills and resources for teaching and supporting VCU’s 1,200-plus international students and scholars. Register at https://vcu.zoom.us/meeting/register/Dw68SWizQ3yCJuYmWo1BEg#/registration

For more information, contact Kelly Richard at global@vcu.edu or visit https://global.vcu.edu/students/faculty/globalzone/.

Saturday, Jul. 19, 2025 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Community members, researchers, students and trainees are invited to participate in the Closing the Gap Cancer Summit at Eastern Virginia Medical School. The event will focus on the emotional and psychological impacts of cancer and community-driven solutions for mental health support in cancer support systems. This free, half-day event is co-sponsored by the VA-ACCERT Center, a partnership between the VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center and Macon and Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences Eastern Virginia Medical School at Old Dominion University. The event will be at Waitzer Hall, EVMS, 735 Fairfax Ave., Norfolk. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Courtney Rose at rosec2@vcu.edu or visit https://web.cvent.com/event/ae6c3407-dc03-42f5-b6f3-374b2b9ebec9/summary.

Weeks of Welcome at VCU will take place Aug. 16-Sept. 7. Campus partners are invited to plan events that help new and transfer students explore campus life, form meaningful connections and discover their place in the Ram community. All submissions are due by Tuesday, July 15 at 11:55 p.m. Submit programs at https://cglink.me/2dV/s82257

For more information, contact Bria Taylor at taylorbc7@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.campusgroups.com/WoW/.

RecWell offers private group exercise classes for student organizations and VCU departments. Classes are led by RecWell’s team of group exercise instructors. Classes can be held in one of RecWell’s spaces or instructors can come to the client’s location, either in-person or virtually. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Nadine Madison at groupexprgm@vcu.edu or visit https://recwell.vcu.edu/play/group-exercise/.

VCU RecWell offers children’s swim lessons for ages 6 months to 6 years, taught by certified water safety instructors under the American Red Cross program. The lessons focus on fundamental swimming and water safety skills, with support tailored to each child's comfort and ability. Session 2 runs July 12-Aug. 2. Classes will be at the VCU Aquatic Center, 101 S. Linden St. Register May 1-July 11 at the following URL.

For more information, contact Mat Scott at aquatics@vcu.edu or visit https://portal.recwell.vcu.edu/program?classificationId=805d477a-53f7-4a08-8d31-2c0fb96d6ee0.

The Global Education Office's Teaching English as a Foreign Certificate Program (TEFL) program is accepting applications. The TEFL Certificate program is an intensive course designed for individuals interested in teaching English to students. In this program, you'll gain work experience, travel abroad and earn money simultaneously. The next program start date is Tuesday, Aug. 19. Learn about this opportunity and how to apply at the following URL.

For more information, contact Nicol Tinsley at nctinsley@vcu.edu or (804) 828-6463 or visit https://global.vcu.edu/outreach/specialprograms/tefl/.

Interested in online, self-paced professional development courses? VCU Continuing and Professional Education offers you the flexibility to learn new skills or refresh your insights in a range of topics including business, communications, management, media and technology. Questions: Contact ocpe@vcu.edu. Explore these training options at https://ocpe.vcu.edu/online.html

For more information, contact Shelly Schuetz at ssschuetz@vcu.edu or visit https://ocpe.vcu.edu/online.html.

Are you ready to lead change in your community? The Minority Political Leadership Institute at VCU's L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs is still accepting applications. This is your chance to gain the skills, network and support to make a real impact. Applications close on July 1 and the program begins on Sept. 12. Apply at the following URL.

For more information, contact Ron Jones at jonesre22@vcu.edu or visit https://gehli.vcu.edu/trainings-and-institutes/minority-political-leadership-institute-mpli-/.

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.

Be part of VCU's AYA Collective Research Team's ongoing study called ROOTED Endeavor. We're discussing racial socialization with romantically involved couples who are either expecting or raising Black children ages 0-5. Explore how racial factors shape parenting through five virtual interviews every six months involving both parents and brief online questionnaires every three months. Compensation will be provided for every interview and every questionnaire. Ready to join? Complete the eligibility screener at the following URL.

For more information, contact Shawn C.T. Jones, Ph.D. at ayaresearch@vcu.edu or visit https://vcupsych.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3k4TWXvqDDvYd9A.