Faculty/staff Issue for June 3, 2025
Today
VCU Writing Center Workshop: The Personal Statement
5 p.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/.
This week
Talk, Reflect, Engage: Using Harmonize to Boost Student Engagement
Wednesday, Jun. 4, 2025 from noon to 1 p.m.
Creating meaningful interaction in online courses isn’t just about checking a box — it’s key to helping students remain engaged and succeed. In this hands-on one-hour workshop via Zoom, you’ll explore how Harmonize — a Canvas tool with features like discussions, polls, chat and annotations — can make your course more interactive and help you meet Regular and Substantive Interaction (RSI) guidelines set by the U.S. Department of Education. Tip: Have a Canvas course open so you can follow along and try things out during the session. Questions: Visit https://ledstudio.vcu.edu/ Register at the following URL.
For more information, contact Cairo Jones at jonesc34@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.zoom.us/meeting/register/p5FRxpJtTZu0TTZfa1WGng.
The Importance of Lifelong Learning
Wednesday, Jun. 4, 2025 at noon
Lifelong learning is the use of formal and informal learning opportunities throughout life for personal fulfillment. Join VCU HR and Rachel Ramirez from the Lifelong Learning Institute in Chesterfield to learn about the benefits of lifelong learning, why it’s important, how it combats social isolation and how so many are navigating their lifelong learning journeys with the institute. Register in Talent@VCU or at: https://bit.ly/3H3hQAk
For more information, contact Cindi Phares at cphares@vcu.edu or visit https://hr.vcu.edu/worklife-at-vcu/employee-events/.
Financial Success Summer Series at VCU Health Hub
Wednesday, Jun. 4, 2025 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Virginia Credit Union (VACU) will host a Financial Success Summer Series each Wednesday in June at VCU Health Hub, 1330 N. 25th St. Visit the following URL for additional information about the program.
For more information, contact VCU Health Hub at vcuhealthhub@vcu.edu or visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/7H2K8BJ.
Grant-Writing Workshop: Open To The Public
Thursday, Jun. 5, 2025 from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Join Jose Alcaine, Ph.D., VCU School of Education, to learn more about writing and applying for large and small grants. Workshop your ideas and develop a framework to fund your work or next project. The event will be hosted by the VCU Mary and Frances Youth Center. 120 S. Linden St., and the VCU Division Of Community Engagement. Register at the following URL.
For more information, contact Vaughn Garland at garlandvw@vcu.edu or visit https://tockify.com/iexcel/detail/205/1749142800000.
Overview of the VCU IRB's New Review System (VIRBs) for the VCU Research Community
Thursday, Jun. 5, 2025 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.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, a 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. All virtual training sessions will be recorded and recordings will be posted on the HRPP Kaltura channel. Registration is required. Register at the following URL.
For more information, contact Jennifer Rice at irbeducation@vcu.edu or visit https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/OANKaC6fRGOv6LuYFsFRDA.
Participate in Two Psychology Studies; Compensation, New Times and Sign-Up Dates Available
Thursday, Jun. 5, 2025 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.
VCU 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 one hour. See more details and 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.
Coming up
VCU Parkinson's and Movement Disorders Center's Third Annual Research Symposium
Friday, Jun. 13, 2025 from noon to 5 p.m.
VCU Parkinson's and Movement Disorders Center will present its third Annual Research Symposium at the College of Health Professions (first floor), 900 E. Leigh St. Join the symposium for presentations exploring research in movement disorders (featuring sessions from PMDC Pilot Grant awardees), poster displays and networking and refreshments. The event is free and open to all. Register by Friday, June 6 at https://tinyurl.com/38b22txx Questions: Contact pdcenter@vcuhealth.org
For more information, contact Chandler Moore at moorejc2@vcu.edu or visit http://parkinsons.vcu.edu.
Notices
Apply Now – Community-Engaged Research Scholars Collaborative (CERSC)
VCU's Office of the Provost is seeking six tenure-track assistant professors to join the Community-Engaged Research Scholars Collaborative (CERSC) — a new opportunity to deepen your practice in community-engaged research (CEnR), connect across disciplines and receive community-engaged mentorship. $500 Stipend. Questions: Visit https://community.vcu.edu/facultystaff/community-engaged-research/cersc/ Apply by Sunday, June 15 at the following URL.
For more information, contact Lorielle Bouldin at bouldinln@vcu.edu or visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSecEyKjABgtZJ7w3f3RztxRqtSiYVPsD3mZEEUiWtWx4sZkhg/viewform.
Free Store Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteer to help sort VCU Free Store donations acquired during the student residence hall move-out. Opportunities are available Wednesday, June 4 and Thursday, June 5 from noon to 2 p.m. Eligible employees can use enhanced community service leave. Register at the following URL.
For more information, contact Parker Long at longpj@vcu.edu or (084) 852-2119 or visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSceZ_cxz4lAzCh3FdftpO_jfu8FXqhHknHlvinIdPeMcdM7EQ/viewform?usp=dialog.
Summer Camp - Limited Spots Remaining
Mary and Frances Youth Center, 120 S. Linden St., has a few spots remaining for its summer 2025 Sports Camps. Tennis/Pickleball, STEM in Sports and Multi-Sport themes are being offered this year. Visit the following URL for dates, themes and pricing.
For more information, contact Misti Mueller at muellermr@vcu.edu or visit https://mfyc.vcu.edu/youth-programs/summer-programs/.
RecWell OAP June Activities
RecWell’s Outdoor Adventure Program will host free activities in June. Activities include beginner whitewater paddling on Wednesday, June 11 and Wednesday, June 25 and whitewater rafting on Wednesday, June 18. Sessions are open to VCU students and RecWell members. Spaces for all activities are limited, so register early. Register at the following URL.
For more information, contact Emily Philpott at outdoors@vcu.edu or visit https://portal.recwell.vcu.edu/program?classificationId=d722033b-3a3d-44c6-a639-491797a4b9a2#.
CHRO Listening Sessions for Staff
Alison Miller, VCU’s chief human resources officer, will host a series of listening sessions to better understand which aspects of the VCU employment experience are most important to staff and how VCU HR can best serve staff moving forward. Join a session to share your thoughts. Questions: http://www.hr.vcu.edu Register in Talent@VCU at the following URL for an upcoming virtual session.
For more information, contact VCU Human Resources at askhr@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.csod.com/ui/lms-learning-details/app/event/79d4adf8-a696-43b5-b200-79ecc3d1945b.
RamsPages Sunsetting This Summer
By Monday, June 30, all RamPages users will need to transition their content due to security and compliance issues. Suggestions based on the type of RamsPages content you manage can be found here: https://rampages.us/ - and, for support and questions, visit: https://go.vcu.edu/ramscentral
For more information, contact Matt Roberts at mdroberts@vcu.edu.
A One-Time Interview To Understand the Experiences or Lack of Experience With Resistance Exercise and Mobile Apps in Young Young Black Women
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 plus two surveys at a local library of their choice. Compensation is available. Check your eligibility using the link below.
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.
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.