11 a.m.

Discuss the services provided by the Writing Center and learn to break your writing process into manageable chunks. 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/.

3 p.m.

President Michael Rao, Ph.D., and Interim Provost Beverly Warren, Ed.D., Ph.D., invite the VCU community to the 43rd annual Faculty Convocation at the W.E. Singleton Center for the Performing Arts, 922 Park Ave. During the event, faculty members will be welcomed and this year’s distinguished faculty award recipients will be honored. A live webcast will be streamed at go.vcu.edu/convocation. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Unviersity Events at UNIVevents@vcu.edu or visit http://go.vcu.edu/vcuconvocationguests.

6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

VCU's Office of Alumni Relations will present "Design Your Way Forward: Innovate, Adapt, Solve" via Zoom. Are you an entrepreneur thinking about starting your own business or just interested in learning more about design thinking? Wherever you are in your journey, "Design Your Way Forward" can help reframe challenges and develop innovative ideas and strategies that create real value. Through interactive activities and real-world case studies, participants will learn to identify customer pain points and transform obstacles into opportunities. This workshop is in partnership with the VCU da Vinci Center for Innovation. Participants will earn an Introduction to Design Thinking digital credential through Credly. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Tiera Byrd at mcguiretj@vcu.edu or visit https://bit.ly/4le3Cew.

7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Take a look behind the scenes of VCU's grad program in advertising and branding. The session will break down the application process, the program's four creative concentrations (art direction, copywriting, creative brand management and strategy) and give participants a look at what life is really like as a Brandcenter student. The session will also include the industry careers Brandcenter grads go on to and how the program can help you get there. Register for the session at the following URL.

For more information, contact Emma Barone at brandcenter@vcu.edu or visit https://connect.business.vcu.edu/register/info-session-august-2025?utm_source=TelegRam.

Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025 from 11 a.m. to noon

This workshop will cover the various functions within Canvas and in a course shell. Authenticate into a Zoom meeting using your eID and password. Register at: https://training.vcu.edu/course.aspx?processFlag=2&itemID=18527 The session is sponsored by Academic Affairs and Technology Services. The Zoom link is https://vcu.zoom.us/j/2324828315?omn=85327778666

For more information, contact Jon Reed at reedjj@vcu.edu or visit https://learningsystems.vcu.edu.

Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025 from 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.

Friday, Aug. 22, 2025 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

VCU Benefits will host Voya for an on-campus day dedicated to helping you plan for your financial future. Meet with a Voya representative at Lindsey House, 600 W. Franklin St., for a personalized consultation to discuss your retirement goals, investment options and more. Reach out directly to Voya at the followoing URL to set up your one-on-one consultation.

For more information, contact Kelvin Allen at allenkt@vcu.edu or visit https://dcp.varetire.org/education/dc-plans-specialists.

Monday, Aug. 25, 2025 at 11 a.m.

Identify your top tax considerations and learn which factors will have the biggest impact on your individual situation. Plan for what you know and prepare for what may change. Join VCU HR and TIAA and learn how to use tax strategies to change and optimize your financial future. Register in Talent@VCU or at: https://bit.ly/4lxwPBY

For more information, contact Cindi Phares at cphares@vcu.edu or visit https://hr.vcu.edu/worklife-at-vcu/employee-events/.

Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2025 from 11 a.m. to noon

This workshop will cover the various functions within Canvas and in a course shell. Authenticate into Zoom meeting using your eID and password. Register at: https://training.vcu.edu/course.aspx?processFlag=2&itemID=18528 Sponsored by Academic Affairs and Technology Services. The Zoom link is https://vcu.zoom.us/j/2324828315?omn=82626850189

For more information, contact Jon Reed at reedjj@vcu.edu or visit https://learningsystems.vcu.edu.

Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2025 at 5:30 p.m.

Learn more about the flexibility of VCU's Evening MBA program at a webinar hosted by the School of Business. This online presentation will provide an overview of program formats (which include online, on-campus, or a blend of both), curriculum and the admissions process. No registration is required – join via the Zoom link at https://vcu.zoom.us/j/85198154191

For more information, contact Evan Torpy at torpyec@vcu.edu or visit https://bulletin.vcu.edu/graduate/school-business/mba-programs/business-administration-mba/.

Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025 from 11 a.m. to noon

This workshop will cover the various functions within Canvas and in a course shell. Authenticate into zoom meeting using your eID and password. Register at: https://training.vcu.edu/course.aspx?processFlag=2&itemID=18529 Sponsored by Academic Affairs and Technology Services. Register for the Zoom link at the following URL.

For more information, contact Jon Reed at reedjj@vcu.edu or visit https://learningsystems.vcu.edu.

Tuesday, Sep. 2, 2025 from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Get ready to expand your understanding of what appreciation truly means. To support VCU’s culture of care and appreciation, VCU HR has developed "Appreciation at Work" training sessions based on the book “5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace” by Gary Chapman and Paul White. Those who attend will learn about the languages of appreciation in the workplace; understand the core concepts of meaningful appreciation; and be able to use those skills to build and maintain good working relationships. Register for the Zoom link at the following URL.

For more information, contact VCU HR Learning, Development, and Organizational Culture at learndev@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.csod.com/samldefault.aspx?returnUrl=%252fDeepLink%252fProcessRedirect.aspx%253fmodule%253dlodetails%2526lo%253d60cd0c5a-816d-4c53-833e-68963d01f171.

Wednesday, Sep. 3, 2025 at noon

Join the Department of Health Administration to learn about graduate programs in health administration (MHA and MSHA) during a virtual informational session. RSVP to the following URL to receive the Zoom link.

For more information, contact Cameron Parkins at parkinsc@vcu.edu or visit https://forms.gle/bBRDhZjGeUqFKjxp8.

Wednesday, Sep. 3, 2025 at noon

Juan Pablo Arab, M.D., director of the VCU Stravitz-Sanyal Institute for Liver Disease and Metabolic Health, will present a seminar on “Alcohol-Associated Liver Disease: From Bench to Public Health.” The seminar wil be in James W. and Frances G. McGlothlin Medical Education Center (MMEC), Room 3-101, 1201 E Marshall St. Register at https://bit.ly/44Vckth

For more information, contact Chantay Harris at chantay.harris@vcuhealth.org or visit https://liverinstitute.medschool.vcu.edu/.

Wednesday, Sep. 3, 2025 at 5 p.m.

Learn about the Ph.D. program in Health Services Organization and Research at a virtual informational session. Meet with program faculty, learn about admissions and funding. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Cameron Parkins at parkinsc@vcu.edu or visit https://forms.gle/iJTj7RuLvDGusWGRA.

Friday, Sep. 5, 2025 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center invites faculty, students and trainees to the annual Walter Lawrence Jr., M.D., Research Retreat featuring the latest cancer research from Massey. This year's keynote presentation will feature UCLA's Antoni Ribas, M.D., Ph.D., a physician-scientist conducting exploration of melanoma resistance to cancer immunotherapies. The event will be at the Hilton Richmond Short Pump, 12042 W. Broad St. Register at vcumassey.org/WL25

For more information, contact Courtney Rose at rosec2@vcu.edu or visit https://web.cvent.com/event/5b877e62-7338-45e6-b8ee-7135fa389211/summary.

Tuesday, Sep. 9, 2025 from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.

The Institute for Transformative Leadership (ITL) is calling on all VCU and VCU Health faculty and staff to level up their leadership skills by joining the Transformative Leadership Fall 2025 Cohort Program starting Tuesday, Sept. 9 and Wednesday, Sept. 10. This free, seven-week Zoom-based series offers practical leadership principles that can be applied in your work and personal lives all through a supportive community. Go to https://tinyurl.com/ITLfall25cohort for more information and to sign up.

For more information, contact ITL Team at itl@vcu.edu or visit https://business.vcu.edu/centers-institutes-and-labs/institute-for-transformative-leadership/.

Wednesday, Sep. 17, 2025 at noon

VCU School of Medicine will host the 27th Annual Faculty Excellence Awards Program and Luncheon, to be held in-person on the MCV Campus and virtually via livestream. This program honors outstanding faculty in the areas of teaching, mentorship, innovation and research, humanism in medicine, clinical excellence and leadership in graduate medical education. The event will be held live in the Bruce Oliver Tucker Auditorium and McGlothlin Medical Education Center Lobby, 1201 E. Marshall St. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Jody Hedstrom at hedstromj@vcu.edu or (804) 828-6591 or visit https://vcuhealth.libcal.com/event/14345721.

In this post, Collaboration Services covers Google Workspace features released this past spring and summer, discuss phishing incidents and more. See the post at the following URL.

For more information, contact Doctor Gee at drgee@vcu.edu or visit https://blogs.vcu.edu/drgee/2025/08/19/welcome-to-the-fall-2025-semester-at-vcu-important-tips-and-news/.

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/.

Vox Concordia, VCU's treble choir, is open to all VCU students who sing soprano or alto. Auditions will be held Tuesday, Aug. 19 and Wednesday, Aug. 20. Questions: Visit the following URL.

For more information, contact Lisa Fusco at fuscolc@vcu.edu or visit https://arts.vcu.edu/music/ensembles/ensembles-auditions/.

The Federal Work-Study Program will process work-study Fall hiring requests (ePAFS) only up until Friday, Aug. 29, and all FWS postings in Handshake will close on Friday, Aug. 22. This is to successfully manage the limited work-study funds VCU has been allocated from the federal government, considering both high program usage in recent years and the goal to allow for hiring in Fall and Spring. If you anticipate additional needs within your unit/department beyond that date, you are encouraged to consider alternative funding sources with your fiscal administrator(s).

For more information, contact Federal Work-Study at VCU at workstudy@vcu.edu.

FERPA affords students the rights to inspect and review educational records; request that records which they believe to be inaccurate or misleading be corrected; provide written consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent; and to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education.

For more information, contact The Office of the University Registrar at rar@vcu.edu.

The Office of the University Registrar is responsible for notifying the university community that it does not release nonpublic information about VCU students. This information is used and shared in a limited and carefully controlled manner. It is not disclosed, except as permitted by law, unless authorized by the student.

For more information, contact The Office of the University Registrar at rar@vcu.edu.

The public comment period for the draft Working @ VCU: "Great Place" Policy is open from Wednesday, Aug. 20 to Tuesday, Sept. 2. Review the policy and follow the link to leave a public comment here at the following URL.

For more information, contact Sarah LaMorey at lamoreysj@vcu.edu or visit https://policy.vcu.edu/doctract/documentportal/08DDDC2D3AB673A4D9C4794AD8E105FC?slu=08DDDC2D495222D5F30C2B8B9310B8A2.

VCU's Global Education Office is offering an opportunity for VCU faculty to apply for a Scholar-in-Residence program at Christ University (CU) in Bangalore, India. A long-standing partnership university with VCU, Christ University is opening a 40-90-day program to VCU faculty interested in exploring collaboration. Meals, accommodations and flight would be covered by the program. Questions: Email Sarah Young at syoung8@vcu.edu

For more information, contact Nicol Tinsley at nctinsley@vcu.edu or (804) 828-6463.

Missing your dog at home? Looking for a volunteer opportunity to make a difference? Learn about becoming involved with Guiding Eyes for the Blind at VCU to raise and train future guide dogs. Check out the group's Instagram: @gebatvcu for more information, and come for a visit at the SOVO fair on Friday, Aug. 22.

For more information, contact Alexis Long at longa11@vcu.edu.

Are you a Gallup-Certified Clifton Strengths Coach? Have you coached, or are you planning to coach or train teams in CliftonStrengths and are interested in building a VCU Strengths peer community? Join a VCU and VCU Health System community of Gallup-Certified Strengths Coaches. Click on the following URL to join the Google group.

For more information, contact Jenna Lenhardt at jlenhardt@vcu.edu or visit https://groups.google.com/a/vcu.edu/g/vcustrengths/members.

Rams in Recovery is accepting applications for the Recovery Scholars program for students in recovery from substance use disorders. Sponsored by the Opioid Abatement Authority, Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, and the Anthem Foundation, this program provides a scholarship connected to support for students in recovery.

For more information, contact Lauren Powell at recovery@vcu.edu or visit https://recovery.vcu.edu/scholarships/.

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/.

Objects + Methods, VCUarts general design public lecture series focuses on expansive conversations around design practices. This season will feature speakers Ryan Kuo, Gerardo Ismael Madera, Laura Coombs and Basel Abbas and Ruanne Abou-Rahme. Learn more at the following URL.

For more information, contact Luiza Dale at oliveiramal@vcu.edu or visit https://objectsandmethods.net/.

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.