Student Issue for April 29, 2025
Today
Story Swap: Lessons in Learning and Leading
1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Join Transformative Learning for an hour of storytelling and connection as students and faculty come together to reflect on their most powerful learning experiences this semester. Using fun conversation prompts, share moments of growth, challenge and transformation — because best lessons often come from one other. The session, in the Academic Learning Commons, Room 4100, 1000 Floyd Ave., is open to faculty, staff and students. No public speaking required. Just come ready to share, listen, and reflect.
For more information, contact Shanza Isom at isomsa@vcu.edu or visit https://academics.provost.vcu.edu/transformative-learning/.
Wrapping Up Your Spring 2025 Course in Canvas
11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
This workshop will cover final gradebook configuration, submitting final grades and configuring Incomplete sections. Please use VCU eID and password to enter Zoom meeting. The Zoom link is https://vcu.zoom.us/j/2324828315?omn=83636800541 Register at https://training.vcu.edu/course.aspx?processFlag=2&itemID=18497
For more information, contact Jon Reed at reedjj@vcu.edu or visit https://learningsystems.vcu.edu/.
VCU Writing Center Workshop: The APA and Avoiding Plagiarism
5 p.m.
Learn how to articulate your own, unique ideas in the style of your discipline. 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/.
PennyAppeal First on Scene: CPR and First Aid Basics
7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Come join PennyAppeal as the group hosts a CPR and First Aid Basic Training session in the Honors College Multipurpose Room, Room 1303, 701 W. Grace St. Can't make it? Join the group's Instagram (@pennyappealatvcu) or RamsConnect to keep up to date on future events.
For more information, contact PennyAppeal at officialpennyappealatvcu@gmail.com.
VCUDine Midnight Breakfast
8 p.m. to 12 a.m.
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/.
Wilder School and Virginia Victim Assistance Network, Victim Advocate Essentials Training Academy
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
On behalf of the board of directors for the Virginia Victim Assistance Network (VVAN https://vanetwork.org) and the VCU L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs, Criminal Justice Department, an invitation is extended to participate in one training session (space dependent) for the 2025 Victim Advocate Essentials Training Conference hosted in partnership with the Wilder School through Friday, May 2. Training will take place in the theater of the University Student Commons, University Student Commons SGA Senate Room and Academic Learning Commons (Room 2100) throughout the week. Register at the following URL
For more information, contact Brad Lehmann, Ph.D., at lehmannrb@vcu.edu or (804) 827-7312 or visit https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4DA9AB28ABF4C25-56531677-vvan.
This week
Recharge and Reflect: A Guided Wrap-Up Workshop
Wednesday, Apr. 30, 2025 from 11 a.m. to noon
As the semester draws to a close, take a moment to pause, reflect, and recharge with Transformative Learning. In this interactive session, you’ll create a personal map to visually capture your semester’s biggest takeaways including what you’ve learned, how you’ve grown and what you’re taking with you. Through guided reflection and small group discussions, you’ll leave with a fresh perspective and a renewed sense of purpose for what’s ahead. The session will be in the Academic Learning Commons, Room 4100, 1000 Floyd Ave.
For more information, contact Shanza Isom at isomsa@vcu.edu or visit https://academics.provost.vcu.edu/transformative-learning/.
The Final Dodgeballs and Dragons Show of the Semester
Saturday, May 3, 2025 from 2:50 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Want to help a graduate student with their thesis? Come see free theater at the Newdick Stage at Shafer Street Playhouse, 221 N. Shafer St. Throw dodgeballs at the actors onstage and watch as they try to improvise a musical. Be the hero. Be the monster. Be the dodgeball.
For more information, contact Timothy McPherson at mcphersont@vcu.edu or visit https://www.instagram.com/dodgeballsanddragons?igsh=MW12MWcwcG5udWppZg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr.
Coming up
AI as the Bridge: Strengthening Community Engagement Through Responsible Innovation
Wednesday, May 7, 2025 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Join the VCU Division of Community Engagement and AI Ready RVA for an interactive webinar on how to responsibly harness AI to support community work, meet local needs and navigate tech challenges. Register at the following URL.
For more information, contact Shari Garmise at garmiseso@vcu.edu or visit https://forms.gle/WpSE7N2jvTTtpX4c7.
VCU Career Champions Training for Faculty and Staff
Friday, May 30, 2025 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
VCU Career Services will host its next VCU Career Champions training session on the Monroe Park Campus. The purpose of this program is to give faculty and staff helpful tools, theories and resources to draw upon when supporting students through their career development, experiential learning and job search process. All who participate will be recognized as a VCU Career Champion and will receive a certification sticker, digital badge and icon for email signature. Space is limited to 60 participants. Questions: Visit https://careers.vcu.edu/resources/faculty-and-staff/career-champions/ Register at the following URL.
For more information, contact Samara Reynolds at sreynolds4@vcu.edu or visit https://forms.gle/AQkgFvTDwNFZeQea7.
Notices
Graduates and Continued Email Access
Attention Spring graduates - your student Google account will automatically disable after three semesters if you do not re-enroll in classes. Be on the lookout following graduation for important information arriving to your student email about claiming your alumni email account.
For more information, contact Doctor Gee at drgee@vcu.edu or visit https://go.vcu.edu/alumniemail.
Props for Profs
As the semester winds down, students (and fellow colleagues) are invited to share words of gratitude with VCU professors. Faculty members 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/tPTR59PSesF7Xmca6.
Tell Us About Your Experiences Using On-Campus Resources
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.
Introduction to SMI and Trauma: New Fall Course Offerings for the Social Work Mental Health Minor
VCU's School of Social Work presents six new elective courses, built by practicing LCSWs, as part of the Social Work Mental Health minor (SWMH, 18 credits), open to all VCU undergraduate students. Starting in Fall 2025 with two introductory course offerings on the treatment of serious mental illness and trauma, the Social Work Mental Health Minor will prepare students for careers in crisis intervention, individual and group counseling, case management and services coordination, medicine and social work. See the flyer at https://tinyurl.com/4ucnktkx for additional information.
For more information, contact Cassie DeSena Jacobs at jacobsc2@vcu.edu or visit https://docs.google.com/document/d/17rIFu3XTBWZJPjRjX5kk_V1APevKGnZ0WelQD61OBWg/edit?usp=sharing.
Fight Gender-Based Violence With 'Once Upon a Party' – Join Our Study for a Chance to Win $100
One in four college women and 7 percent of college men experience sexual assault, while 21 percent face dating violence. Although colleges are required to address these issues, many programs fail to engage students effectively. I’m Adrienne Baldwin-White, Ph.D., and I’ve created “Once Upon a Party,” a text-based, choose-your-own-adventure game designed to spark critical thinking about gender-based violence. In this game, you’ll navigate real-world situations that could lead to sexual or dating violence by responding to friends' text messages. Join my study to help test the game’s impact and get a chance to win one of five $100 gift cards. Click the following URL to participate.
For more information, contact Adrienne Baldwin-White, Ph.D., at baldwinwhia@vcu.edu or visit https://vcuportal.questionpro.com/t/AXMyuZ5Ir0.
Participants Are Invited for Study Examining the Impact of Acute and Chronic Stress on Cardiovascular Health
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.
Participants Are Invited for a Study Examining Psychosocial Stress and Cardiovascular Health in Sexual and Gender Minority Adults
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.
Participants Sought for Fine Motor Writing and Drawing Study
This research is being done to investigate how you learn new movements with your nondominant hand. You will be asked to complete a tracing game on a touchscreen tablet while wearing an electrode cap. You must be right-handed, male and between the ages of 18 and 40 to participate. $20 compensation is available for your participation. The study takes about one hour. The study will take place in the research laboratory location in the VCU College of Health Professions building, 900 E. Leigh St.
For more information, contact Narges Yaghoubi at yaghoubin@vcu.edu.
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.
RamsConnect events
View all of the student events happening on campus and register for events that interest you.