11 a.m.

The workshop will feature examples of strong, successful personal statements, as well as less successful ones, to give you the tools you need to write your best statement. 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/.

11:30 a.m.

VCU's Robertson School 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. A session will also be offered at the same time on Friday, May 23. Join a session at https://vcu.zoom.us/my/robertsongrad. The school will also offer a certificate in Media and Leadership.

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

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. The fourth event of this series is "Waiting to Exhale." Come relieve stress with games, puzzles and more while enjoying snacks and 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.

Wednesday, May 28, 2025 at noon

Join a pharmacist who will walk through the processs of choosing over-the-counter products to treat bug bites, allergies and sun protection. This virtual session will be hosted by VCU HR and Employee Health. Register in Talent@VCU or at: https://bit.ly/4iHQ89F

For more information, contact Cindi Phares at cphares@vcu.edu or visit https://hr.vcu.edu/worklife-at-vcu/employee-events/.

Wednesday, May 28, 2025 from noon to 1 p.m.

VCU's Kenneth and Dianne Wright Center for Clinical and Translational Research will continue its grant-writing series via Zoom. David Cifu, M.D., professor and chair, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, will discuss the Department of Defense’s research grant application and review process. 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/jL9VKtJZTa6Uiv2wPNDzLA.

Thursday, May 29, 2025 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

VCU Staff Senate invites all staff to an afternoon of food, fun, resources and prizes. Grab your coworkers and come outside to the Student Commons Plaza (rain or shine) for a time of VCU resource tables, Dogs on Call, chair massages, outdoor games, fitness demonstrations, contests, raffles, treats, free swag, chances to win basketball tickets, pizza and other yummy snacks, photo booth, VCU Senior Leadership meet-and-greet and more.

For more information, contact Melissa Burton at mhburton@vcu.edu or (804) 828-1316.

Thursday, May 29, 2025 at 3:30 p.m.

Elevate your workplace communication with the convenience of the Avaya Workplace mobility app. Whether you are in the office, teleworking, have a hybrid schedule or on the move, it’s easy to take your office phone number wherever you go; seamlessly using it on your mobile device or computer. With the app, outbound calls display your work phone number, ensuring a professional and consistent communication experience. All inbound calls from the app will display Avaya Workplace and have a distinct ring. Attend a virtual session to also learn how your other departments are taking advantage of cost savings measures in using the Avaya Workplace mobility app. Sessions are opened to VCU and VCU Health associates. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Wayne Johnson at wljohnson@vcu.edu or visit https://training.vcu.edu.

Title II of the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) requires state and local government entities such as VCU to ensure that all services, programs and activities are accessible to people with disabilities. The Department of Justice recently published its new rule and accompanying New Rule Fact Sheet which revised requirements regarding digital accessibility. These updates will affect VCU units whose work intersects with students and the public. Compliance must begin on April 24, 2026.

For more information, contact ADA and Accessibility Services at adaservices@vcu.edu or (804) 828-1347 or visit https://equity.vcu.edu/about/news/.

The American Red Cross Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED course is open for VCU students and RecWell members looking to learn how to recognize and care for a variety of first aid, breathing and cardiac emergencies. Participants will earn a certificate that satisfies OSHA requirements for workplace First Aid/CPR/AED training in non-health care settings. Classes will be held June 4, 14, 18 and 28. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Mat Scott at aquatics@vcu.edu or visit https://portal.recwell.vcu.edu/Program/GetProgramDetails?courseId=157236e4-f012-4926-b19a-80ba87072981.

The Fitness Swimming program is designed to focus on enhancing swimming techniques, endurance and physical conditioning in the water. Participants should expect to develop their swimming proficiency for fitness or competitive purposes. The program runs June 2-25, Mondays and Wednesdays, 8-8:50 a.m. Classes will be at the VCU Aquatic Center, 101 S. Linden St. Register by May 30 at the following URL.

For more information, contact Mat Scott at aquatics@vcu.edu or visit https://portal.recwell.vcu.edu/program/GetProgramDetails?courseId=e9401580-e161-45db-9b79-9ef3ddebb02a.

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. Explore these training options adt the following URL. Questions: Email ocpe@vcu.edu.

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

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.

Black women ages 18-35 are invited to share their experiences or lack of experience with resistance exercise (e.g., lifting weights, resistance bands, body weight exercises) along with their desired features of a mobile app aimed to help guide and track their exercise regimens. Women will be invited to complete a one-time interview + 2 surveys at a local library of their choice. Compensation is available. Check your eligibility at the following URL.

For more information, contact Chloe Jones, Ph.D., Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences at jonesc53@vcu.edu or visit https://redcap.vcu.edu/surveys/?s=CJCT4ELK87PHXKK3.

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.