1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Free rollator (four-wheeled walker) safety checks and basic repairs will be offered at the VCU Health Hub,1330 N. 25th St., Suite A. The event will include tightening brakes, adjusting handles and replacing worn nuts/bolts. Some part replacements (wheels, seats) may be available.

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

5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Bring your trinkets and memories to craft unique journals that will help you reflect during the rush journey. Get to know Alpha Phi Omega brothers while creating something meaningful. The event will be in the Metro Room of the University Student Commons, 907 Floyd Ave. Questions? Contact Emerson Hernandez-Barahona, membership vice president. See the interest form at the following URL.

For more information, contact Emerson Hernandez-Barahona at hernandezbea@vcu.edu or (703) 581-8161 or visit https://forms.gle/PGPPUukNUdoFyv9x9.

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.

Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Alpha Phi Omega and the American Red Cross will host a blood drive in the second-floor ballroom of the University Student Commons, 907 Floyd Ave. All donors will receive a giveaway, plus a $15 E-Gift card to their merchant of choice. Appointments are recommended. Sign up at the following URL.

For more information, contact Johanna Adams at adamsjc4@vcu.edu or visit https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/drive-results?zipSponsor=vcu.

Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025 from noon to 1 p.m.

Join the VCU Division of Community Engagement for a virtual workshop with community members and partners to share their insights and lived experiences around working with VCU. The Zoom link is vcu.zoom.us/j/82913646047

For more information, contact Verenda Cobbs at s2vkcobb@vcu.edu or visit https://community.vcu.edu.

Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Join PennyAppeal for the group's first event of the semester in Virginia Rooms A-B on the second floor of the University Student Commons, 907 Floyd Ave. Get to know the group, learn basic first aid skills with hands-on practice and make first aid kits to donate to a local elementary school. The first 10 people to arrive will receive a free first aid kit. Can't make it? Join the group on Instagram (@pennyappealatvcu) or RamsConnect to keep up to date on future events.

For more information, contact PennyAppeal at pennyappealatvcu@gmail.com.

Friday, Aug. 29, 2025 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Race around campus, cracking clues and gathering bragging rights as you outsmart your classmates in the ultimate test of wit. Every contestant who finishes the scavenger hunt, hosted by the College of Humanities and Sciences, will be entered into a raffle for gift cards, tickets and swag. The hunt will start in the STEM Building lobby, 817 W. Franklin St. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Alexis Finc at alfinc@vcu.edu or visit https://bit.ly/41juMJP.

Friday, Aug. 29, 2025 from 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Calling all transfer heroes. Whether you're arriving from a community college or another university galaxy, VCU Transfer Con is the ultimate welcome event at which you are the main character. Come for a jam-packed event filled with games, power-up stations (food and drink) and an opportunity to connect with fellow transfer crusaders. So gear up and get ready to unlock your full Ram potential. This is your origin story - make it legendary. The event will be in the University Student Commons Richmond Salons III and IV, 907 Floyd Ave. RSVP at the following URL.

For more information, contact Transfer Center at transferinfo@vcu.edu or (804) 827-1349 or visit https://cglink.me/2dV/r1939592.

Friday, Aug. 29, 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/.

Tuesday, Sep. 2, 2025 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Help create the next edition of SHIFT magazine. Practice sketching, storyboarding and low-fidelity building to co-create concepts for the fourth edition of SHIFT magazine. Learn how prototyping can help to test ideas sooner, gather useful input and make better design decisions. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Shift Retail Lab at shiftretail@vcu.edu or visit https://connect.business.vcu.edu/register/prototyping-Shift-magazine.

Tuesday, Sep. 2, 2025 at noon

The Graduate School will host VCU's Three-Minute Thesis Competition. All graduate students are welcome to participate in this unique event that challenges entrants to explain their research in three minutes using only one static slide. Learn how students can participate in the competition at a virtual informational session. Register on RamsConnect at the following URL.

For more information, contact Erin Brown at embbrown@vcu.edu or visit https://cglink.me/2dV/r1939753.

Wednesday, Sep. 3, 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 in VCU RamsConnect at the following URL. 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, 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/.

Monday, Sep. 8, 2025 from 4 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.

VCU's Office of Health Initiatives is seeking undergraduate students interested in health sciences or health-related careers to join the Student Advisory Committee. This committee develops student leaders through monthly meetings focused on professional development, community health and the social drivers of health, with special attention to Richmond’s history and its impact on health outcomes. Join us for a virtual information session via Zoom. Sign up to attend through this Google Form link: https://forms.gle/oTi8ork4jzA3JCBC6

For more information, contact Nyvia (Niv-E-Uhh) Taylor at taylornj4@vcu.edu or visit https://healthinitiatives.vcu.edu/.

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

Join VCU and VCU Health at this year’s Heart Walk on Saturday, Oct. 11 to help fight heart disease and stroke. Every step participants take helps fund life-saving research and honors those affected by cardiovascular disease. The walk will begin at Innsbrook North Shore Commons Lawn, 4951 Lake Brook Drive, Glen Allen.

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.

Adult beginner lessons are designed for older teens and adults to build fundamental swimming and water safety skills. Participants should be comfortable in the water and will begin learning or improving basic swimming strokes and support techniques in both shallow and deep water. Session 1 runs Sept. 8-Oct. 1. Classes are offered Mondays and Wednesdays from 7-7:55 a.m. or 6-6:55 p.m. Register at the following URL Friday, by Sept 5.

For more information, contact Mat Scott at aquatics@vcu.edu or visit https://portal.recwell.vcu.edu/Program/GetProgramDetails?courseId=cf8f4caa-89df-40ea-8176-1f6f14815527&semesterId=ed6b5309-a132-464a-a14c-cade712e1da9.

Want to see your day at VCU at a glance, reserve space, track your meal plan, see your employee pay stub, join a group and receive related notifications and more? VCU Technology has the perfect tool. Download the VCU Mobile app with a new look, feel and functionality, for all things VCU. Download VCU Mobile at the following URL. Questions: Email VCU IT Support Center at itsc@vcu.edu.

For more information, contact Gary Garbett at garbettgl@vcu.edu or visit https://mobile.vcu.edu/.

Start achieving your fitness goals through knowledge and strength. A certified personal trainer will teach the foundational methods of resistance training and workout design. Participants start with basic movements in the FitZone at Cary Street Gym to build confidence and progress to the rest of the fitness floor for more advanced exercise. Each week, learn about new equipment and exercises to increase confidence in the weight room. Use strength machines, resistance bands, cable stacks and free weights to build skill and knowledge of proper technique and progressions. This program is open to all students and current RecWell members. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Abbas Sherazi at fitness@vcu.edu or visit https://portal.recwell.vcu.edu/Program/GetProgramDetails?courseId=411621d2-6c5d-4d48-a32f-b4d2a940ac0e.

Embarking on a fitness journey can feel a bit overwhelming, but RecWell’s nationally accredited personal trainers are ready to make that first step exciting and achievable. Learn about the equipment at the Cary Street Gym fitness center (101 S. Linden St.), and how RecWell members work with trainers to develop programs that help them reach their fitness goals. Orientations are held Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, noon-1 p.m. at Cary Street Gym. Open to VCU students and members. Register at the following URL. Registration is required.

For more information, contact Abbas Sherazi at fitness@vcu.edu or visit https://portal.recwell.vcu.edu/Program/GetProgramDetails?courseId=d8977fb0-3866-4059-8fca-230ea0d54380.

The Wright Regional Center will sponsor a study group for the fall 2025 Society of Clinical Research Associates Certified Clinical Research Professional Certification. The deadline to sign up is Friday. Sept. 26. Space is limited to 15 participants. The fall study group is open to individuals scheduled to take the SOCRA exam before April 1, 2026. SOCRA proof of acceptance to sit for the exam is required for all participants prior to the first session. The study group will meet virtually via Zoom on Tuesdays 1:30–3:30 p.m. over five weeks: Oct. 7, 14, 21, 28 and Nov. 11. Contact Catherine Brown - crbrown@vcu.edu.

For more information, contact Catherine Brown at crbrown@vcu.edu or visit https://cctr.vcu.edu/.

The Honors College invites faculty and community partners to participate in its Berglund Seminar and Challenging Conversations series. The purpose of the series is to generate meaningful discussions and debates outside the classroom. If interested in speaking or presenting, contact Anthony Burnham at the following email address or visit the following URL.

For more information, contact Anthony Burnham at burnhamaj@vcu.edu or visit https://honors.vcu.edu/news/berglund-seminar-series/.

Are you a VCU student or trainee conducting cancer research? VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center invites undergraduate students, graduate students and postdoctoral trainees to submit an abstract to the 2025 biannual Commonwealth of Virginia Cancer Research Conference, which will be held Nov. 14-15 at the Hilton Short Pump. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Caroline Blair at blaircp@vcu.edu or visit https://web.cvent.com/event/0382dc6b-0821-4b28-8ead-71a26e2c1de8/summary.

VCU's Global Education Office now offers a student-centered intercultural agility training 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. To request this workshop for your class, student organization meeting, or program, fill out the interest form at the following URL.

For more information, contact Kelly Richard at richardkj@vcu.edu or visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfK5v2Hv5V68BPAO2iKmryQxKUxJIoSmUasCaxSZGgqtOfIpg/viewform.

You can make a difference: VCU's two main libraries - James Branch Cabell and Health Sciences - are seeking students from all schools and colleges to serve on their 2025-26 advisory committees. The application deadlines are Friday, Sept. 5 (Health Sciences) and Sunday, Sept. 14 (Cabell). Members receive an honorarium and free meals at meetings. Apply at the following URL.

For more information, contact Sue Robinson at srobinson26@vcu.edu or visit https://www.library.vcu.edu/about/news/2025-news/student-advisors.html.

Do you want to speak or perform at a TEDxVCU event? Bring new ideas to the forefront and spark public discussion. Faculty, staff, students and members of the community are invited to apply at the following URL.

For more information, contact Justin Raibolt at tedx@vcu.edu or visit https://forms.gle/tYLQQJNh7acMmG8E8.

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.