11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The Alzheimer's Association will be hosting Memory Café at VCU Health Hub,1330 N. 25th St., Suite A. Join for a social space for those with early-stage memory loss to connect, while care partners gain support and information. The bonds formed in Memory Cafés often last throughout the continuum of the disease and become additional support for those involved.

For more information, contact VCU Health Hub at vcuhealthhub@vcu.edu.

6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

RecWell will host Rodney’s Rec Arena at the Cary Street Gym, 101 S. Linden St. This free Weeks of Welcome event is open to all students and will have giveaways, prizes, pizza and ice cream while supplies last. Tackle the climbing wall, play Esports, relax in the pool, learn more about VCU sport clubs and register for fall semester programs. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Trisha Saunders at recwell@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.campusgroups.com/recwell/rsvp_boot?id=1939366.

6 p.m.

The Weeks of Welcome 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/.

Friday, Aug. 22, 2025 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Your ideas could be put behind the wheel of a Slingshot for a day. VCU TRIO has teamed up with RVA Hot Wheelz: The Ultimate Rental Experience for the opportunity. This event will include time to hear from recent ODU graduates about their journey toward starting Richmond’s first-ever Polaris Slingshot rental company. There will also be an opportunity to pitch your ideas. The event is open to all majors and will be held in Room 110 of the STEM Building, 817 W. Franklin St. Register by Thursday, Aug. 21 at the following URL.

For more information, contact Shay Lumpkin at trio@vcu.edu or visit https://forms.gle/TuNkMEFr7UK9LtcF6.

Friday, Aug. 22, 2025 at 7 p.m.

Jewish Life at VCU will host a Shabbat dinner at 1003 Grove Ave. Meet new friends and connect with your Jewish roots.

For more information, contact Menachem Lessoff at rabbi@vcu.edu or (804) 404-3637 or visit https://jewishvcu.org/shabbat-dinner.

Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 from 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

VCU's Office of Multicultural Student Affairs will host Ramily Reunion, OMSA's third annual cookout event in Monroe Park. Free barbecue and sides, games, a DJ and more will be available. Campus and community partners will be tabling and sharing resources. Attendance at OMSA events is open to all students, faculty and staff. RSVP at the following URL.

For more information, contact Beck Oh at ohrn@vcu.edu or visit https://cglink.me/2dV/r1938932.

Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 at 6 p.m.

Celebrate Shabbat and wrap up the week with your favorite people in your favorite place with the Jewish VCU Cholent Club at 1003 Grove Ave. Kick back with a bowl of hot cholent, cold drinks and board games.

For more information, contact Menachem Lessoff at rabbi@vcu.edu or (804) 404-3637 or visit https://jewishvcu.org/.

Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2025 from noon to 1 p.m.

The Graduate School invites interested faculty, staff and students to hear from a diverse panel of graduate students who will share their insights, experiences and advice for success in a graduate program. Whether you are a new graduate student or considering a graduate program, this session will help you consider your approach for completing your journey. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Erin Brown at embbrown@vcu.edu or visit https://cglink.me/2dV/r1939622.

Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2025 from 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Kick off the new semester with purpose at the WOW Service Event. Connect with VCU and the Richmond community and be a part of something bigger. Package meals at the Richmond Salons, University Student Commons, 907 Floyd Ave. Register at http://events.riseagainsthunger.org/VCUAugust26

For more information, contact Kelsey Jones at jonesk66@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.campusgroups.com/wow/rsvp_boot?id=1938947.

Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2025 from 2 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

VCU Academic Technologies will host a 30-minute overview via Zoom of Canvas for students during Weeks of Welcome. Students will learn how to log in and navigate Canvas to complete class assignments, projects and more. Register for live, online training at the following URL in VCU RamsConnect. Also, be sure to visit the Academic Technologies Group in RamsConnect for student technology resources and more.

For more information, contact Jana Avery at jcavery@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.campusgroups.com/Tech/CanvasTraining/.

Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2025 from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

The Health Professionals Organization will kick off the new semester with a meeting in Richmond Salons 1, University Student Commons, 907 Floyd Ave. Plans and goals for the 2025-2026 school year will be discussed.

For more information, contact Dylan Abaidoo at abaidooda@vcu.edu.

Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025 at 6 p.m.

The Graduate School invites graduate students to attend VCU Night at the Richmond Flying Squirrels game at the Diamond, 3001 N. Arthur Ashe Blvd. Students can register for their free ticket on RamsConnect at the following URL.

For more information, contact Erin Brown at embbrown@vcu.edu or visit https://cglink.me/2dV/r1939227.

Wednesday, Sep. 3, 2025 from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.

The Kenneth and Dianne Wright Center for Clinical and Translational Research will host a webinar to discuss its Translational Science Pilot Grant funding mechanism. Learn about translational science and how these funds may support your research. Faculty researchers may apply for $25,000 to fund their translational science projects. Applications are due by Saturday, Nov. 1. Register at https://vcu.zoom.us/meeting/register/cYzAn7PWSyCpjZ78GePKnw

For more information, contact Pamela Dillon, Pharm.D., research liaison, at pmdillon@vcu.edu or visit https://cctr.vcu.edu/.

Thursday, Sep. 18, 2025 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Center for Human-Animal Interaction invites you to attend Pups on the Plaza. A rotating cast of Dogs on Call therapy dogs will be at the James W. and Frances G. McGlothlin Medical Education Center (MMEC), 1201 E. Marshall St., ready to meet and greet passersby.

For more information, contact Center for Human-Animal Interaction at chai@vcuhealth.org or (804) 628-2532 or visit https://chai.vcu.edu/.

Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025 at 11 a.m.

The Commonwealth Cyber Initiative Central Virginia Node will host Tech Duels at VCU, a live student debate event exploring the future of technology. VCU students can apply to debate or register to attend in person or virtually at the following URL. The event will be in VCU's Engineering Research Building, Room 1313, 401 W. Cary St.

For more information, contact Sharmic Bartelle at bartelles@vcu.edu or visit https://cci-cvn.org/tech-duels-fall-2025/.

Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025 at 9:40 a.m.

Heart disease and stroke impact people in personal, life-changing ways. Bold moves and dedicated researchers and volunteers have resulted in significant medical advancement over 100 years. This year, join VCU and VCU Health to connect with and share the reasons heart disease and stroke can be eliminated. This year's walk takes place on Saturday, Oct. 11.

For more information, contact Cindi Phares at cphares@vcu.edu or visit https://www2.heart.org/site/TR?company_id=509177&fr_id=12016&pg=company.

Looking for a welcoming way to become involved on campus? Join a VCU Choir this fall. Make music, make friends and be part of something meaningful. Open to all majors. Choral Arts Society (APPM 359, CRN 29766) No audition required. Commonwealth Singers (APPM 358, CRN 29770) is an advanced mixed choral ensemble. Audition required. Vox Concordia (APPM 378, CRN 32996) is an advanced treble choral ensemble. Audition required.

For more information, contact Christopher Hansen, Ph.D., at hansenc3@vcu.edu or visit https://arts.vcu.edu/music/ensembles/.

VCU's Student Alumni Council is recruiting prospective student leaders for its Leadership Council. Gain the opportunity to immerse yourself into the VCU community, build your leadership skills and expand your professional network as a member of the council. Apply by Thursday, Sept. 4 at the following URL.

For more information, contact Breydon Duncan Horton at hortonb2@vcu.edu or visit https://forms.gle/Z46Zcc2qwDr9zpqD9.

VCU's Outdoor Adventure Program will host free Weeks of Welcome trips. Join OAP trip leaders for “Rodney’s Whitewater Raft RAMpage," Tuesday, Aug. 19; “Level Up and Let Go: Mindfulness Stand-Up Paddleboard," Wednesday, Aug. 20; “Rodney’s Rock Quest: RVA Rock Climb, Tuesday," Aug. 26 and “RodneyKart - River Tubing," Wednesday, Aug. 27. All trips run 2-6 p.m. and leave from campus. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Emily Philpott at outdoors@vcu.edu or visit https://portal.recwell.vcu.edu/program/GetProgramDetails?courseId=c7170552-f6b2-4ea1-92f0-686ea7f7cc32.

The VCU Family Cultural Exchange program provides Richmond community members and international students and scholars the opportunity to develop cross-cultural relationships that stimulate curiosity, increase cultural understanding and provide insight into a world beyond personal perspectives. FCE families meet up with their assigned international students at least once a month to participate in activities, family events, or local exploration. See the interest form at the following URL.

For more information, contact Kelly Richard at richardkj@vcu.edu or (919) 816-5318 or visit https://global.vcu.edu/students/community/fface/.

VCU Occupational Safety seeks a motivated student worker to support its mission in collaboration with different on-campus stakeholders to address occupational safety and health. This position will be to assist with the operation and implementation of the University's Occupational Safety Program. Applicants must be eligible for the Federal Work-Study Program. Questions: Visit VCU Health Hub at occsafety@vcu.edu or https://vcu.joinhandshake

For more information, contact Brett Shugrue at shugruebw@vcu.edu or visit https://healthsafety.vcu.edu/.

To support students in making informed academic decisions, the pass/fail and withdrawal date will be extended by one week beginning in Fall 2025. This change provides students with an additional week to evaluate their progress in the course and make a plan with their academic adviser or academic coach to successfully complete the course or withdraw if necessary. Appointments for advising, coaching and financial aid can be made at: go.vcu.edu/nav

For more information, contact Office of the University Registrar at rar@vcu.edu or visit https://academiccalendars.vcu.edu/.

A student-centered intercultural agility training is offered through the Student Global Zone Training. Participants will gain a basic understanding of intercultural agility and communication skills by considering how their own cultural experiences and values impact their intercultural agility practices. Students will grapple with real-world scenarios that illustrate intercultural agility in action and identify opportunities for future intercultural engagement at VCU and in the community. Upon completion of this one-hour training, participants will attain a micro-credential digital badge. Register at the following URL.

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

VCU's new shuttle service, RamsXpress, services Cabell Library at the corner of Cathedral Place and Floyd Avenue, and Larrick Student Center at the corner of North Ninth and Turpin streets. The shuttle runs Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and allows the VCU community to travel between campuses – within 10 to 15 minutes – by offering direct, point-to-point service. These stops are not duplicative of current GRTC service locations.

For more information, contact Olivia Truban at parking@vcu.edu.

Share your passion for VCU by joining the Student Admissions Ambassadors. Membeers of the group lead campus tours for prospective students and their families, giving them a first-hand look at what makes VCU special. As an ambassador, you will represent the university, develop public speaking skills, connect with future members of the VCU Ramily, get free VCU merch and more. Visit the ambassadors at the SOVO Fair in Monroe Park on Friday, Aug. 22. See the application at the following URL.

For more information, contact Chelsea Mapp at ambassadors@vcu.edu or visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScCriBQL70t2LUA-xIKhfBrO5yhvchX7K5-FE5vinc6B_iFgg/viewform?usp=preview.

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.

For more information, contact Karen Gorgey at healthyheart@vcu.edu.

The Research on Excessive, Persistent and Emotion-based Actions and Traits (REPEAT) Lab at VCU is conducting a brain-imaging study to understand how decision-making differs between adults with anorexia nervosa, obsessive-compulsive disorder and no history of a psychological disorder. Participants will be compensated for participating in the study. See the survey at the following URL.

For more information, contact REPEAT Lab at repeat@vcu.edu or (804) 828-2658 or visit https://tinyurl.com/25wnkh7z.

This research study is inviting individuals between the ages of 20 and 24 with poor sleep quality. The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of aerobic and resistance exercise on cardiovascular responses and vascular inflammation. 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 Garrett Oehlert at healthyheart@vcu.edu.

Researchers at the VCU School of Public Health are testing a new research study program to help improve health and well-being among emerging adult women. You may be eligible for this study if you are a woman between the ages of 18 and 25 with a body mass index (BMI) between 25-50 kg/m2. Visit the following URL to learn more and take a quick survey to determine if you may be eligible.

For more information, contact Morgan Beasley at morgan.meyer@vcuhealth.org or visit http://www.RedefiningBMI.com.

This study is seeking postmenopausal females to participate in a research study examining the effect of exercise training on blood vessel function. This study will be conducted at 500 Academic Centre on VCU’s Monroe Park Campus. Principle Investigator: Ryan Garten, Ph.D., Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences.

For more information, contact Ryan Garten at rsgarten@vcu.edu.