Faculty/staff Issue for May 6, 2025
This week
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 https://forms.gle/WpSE7N2jvTTtpX4c7
For more information, contact Shari Garmise at garmiseso@vcu.edu or visit https://community.vcu.edu/dce-news-events/events/.
Bioinformatics Bites Seminar: QIAGEN IPA License New Features for VCU Researchers
Wednesday, May 7, 2025 from noon to 1 p.m.
In this one-hour presentation, we will share an overview of the Land Explorer features recently added to our VCU IPA license, as well as other new features added in the latest release. Compare your ‘omics data to a curated database of over 700k healthy and diseased samples by linking IPA to QIAGEN OmicSoft Explorer. Investigate how gene or gene set expression varies in tissue, cell type, diseases or treatment contexts. Visualize how genomic alterations correlate with changes in expression, affect clinical outcomes and more Other new features can be found at https://digitalinsights.qiagen.com/products/qiagen-ipa/latest-improvements/archive/ Register at the following URL.
For more information, contact Karlyn Maggi at maggikb@vcu.edu or visit https://qiagen.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_6Nz0szVCT0K_7ae4ziQsiQ.
Equality VCU Coffee Hour
Wednesday, May 7, 2025 from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
Join members of Equality VCU for coffee, conversation and camaraderie at Qawhah House, 900 W. Franklin St. (corner of Shafer). Celebrate the end of the academic year at this new local business.
For more information, contact Connie Kottmann at equality@vcu.edu.
Ivy's Mental Health Series: 'Poetic Justice'
Thursday, May 8, 2025 from 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.
Participate in Two Psychology Studies (Compensation and New Signup Dates/Times Available)
Thursday, May 8, 2025 from 4 p.m. to 5:15 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 or visit https://redcap.vcu.edu/surveys/?s=3AJY3KMHN7NF87TY.
Coming up
Caring for Aging Parents and Young Children: Understanding the Sandwich Generation
Wednesday, May 14, 2025 at 6 p.m.
Individuals in the sandwich generation (ages 35-54) often navigate the challenge of balancing caregiving for aging parents while simultaneously supporting their children. Attend this virtual workshop, presented by Sabrina Guerin with Virginia Credit Union, to gain practical strategies for managing your parents’ medical, legal and financial needs, while also ensuring you are also preparing for your children’s future. The Zoom link is https://vcu.zoom.us/webinar/register/5917436107498/WN_SXd-2-XAT3yLrd94nrHSvg
For more information, contact Tiera Byrd, B.S.'12, assistant director of alumni career and personal development, at mcguiretj@vcu.edu.
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
Too Good To Go at VCU
VCUDine has partnered with Too Good To Go to offer Surprise Bags from all campus Starbucks, Ram City Market, Einstein Bros. Bagels and Au Bon Pain on West Grace Street. These discounted bags contain surplus food that would otherwise go to waste. To reserve one, download the Too Good To Go app and pick it up before the location closes.
For more information, contact Margaret Massie at dining@vcu.edu or (804) 828-1148 or visit https://vcu.campusdish.com/en/locationsandmenus/.
Follow VCU HR on Social Media
Stay connected to the many supportive programs and resources provided by VCU HR by following their social media platforms. Daily posts share reminders and updates that can enhance your workplace experience and strengthen your connections to the VCU community. Follow on Facebook (vcuhumanresources), Instagram (vcuhumanresources), and X (@VCUHR)
For more information, contact VCU Human Resources at askhr@vcu.edu or visit https://www.hr.vcu.edu.
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.
RamPages Sunsetting This Summer
All RamPage users need to transition their content due to security and compliance issues. Suggestions based on the type of RamsPages content you manage can be found at https://rampages.us/ Questions: Visit https://go.vcu.edu/ramscentral
For more information, contact Matt Roberts at mdroberts@vcu.edu.
RecWell May 2025 Massage Therapy Promotion
VCU Faculty/Staff can get $10 off on a 60-minute RecWell massage therapy appointment until Thursday, May 15. You do not have to book your appointment before May 15, just purchase the massage. The price for your massage is based on your current membership status, but you don't have to be a RecWell member to take advantage of this service. When you purchase a massage on the RecWell registration portal, enter May2025 in the promo code box at checkout and $10 will be deducted from your final price.
For more information, contact Trisha Saunders at massage@vcu.edu or (804) 827-0323 or visit https://portal.recwell.vcu.edu/multivisitpass/getproducts?category=784b2973-8703-424d-8b9b-1ce6e6e9137f.
Apply Now – Community-Engaged Research Scholars Collaborative (CERSC)
We’re 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. The stipend is $500. Questions: https://community.vcu.edu/facultystaff/community-engaged-research/cersc/ Apply at the following URL by Sunday, June 15.
For more information, contact Lorielle Bouldin at bouldinln@vcu.edu or visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSecEyKjABgtZJ7w3f3RztxRqtSiYVPsD3mZEEUiWtWx4sZkhg/viewform.
Using Generative AI at VCU
Generative AI tools offer possibilities for learning, work and personal lives. VCU has licensed a number of generative AI tools for all faculty, staff and students. These tools, such as Microsoft Copilot and Google Gemini, among others, are free to use and are under data privacy agreements. For more information about using generative AI tools and updates on tool availability, review Technology Services' VCU AI Guidelines page at the following URL.
For more information, contact Peyton Burgess at dpburgess@vcu.edu or visit https://go.vcu.edu/ai.
Spring 2025 Final Grades Due May 13 at Noon
Grade sheets are now available on faculty eServices. Grades are due by noon on Tuesday May 13, at which time grade entry will no longer be available. It is imperative to meet this deadline to complete all end of the semester processes. Faculty may choose to use the feature to upload grades from an excel file into eServices or the Ellucian Grade Passback in Canvas. Faculty may only access grade sheets for courses to which they have been assigned.
For more information, contact Office of the University Registrar at rar@vcu.edu.
Props for Profs - Spring 2025
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.
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 The KHS Healthy Heart Lab at healthyheart@vcu.edu.
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 The KHS Healthy Heart Lab at healthyheart@vcu.edu.
For more information, contact Jeremy Via at healthyheart@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.