12 p.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Play a game of trivia at the Focused Inquiry Learning Lounge and test your knowledge of VCU and its resources. Prizes will be awarded to the winning teams and snacks will be provided. The event will be at Grace E. Harris Hall, 1015 Floyd Ave., Room 5116.

For more information, contact Focused Inquiry Learning Lounge at fill@vcu.edu.

2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Join the Data Science Lab for a discussion about open science practices. All members of the VCU community are welcome. The ReproducibiliTea schedule and articles can be found at the following URL. The session will be in the Health Sciences Library, Room 109, 509 N. 12th St.

For more information, contact Mallory Stephenson at stephensonm2@vcu.edu or visit https://osf.io/g56qp/wiki/Current%20Schedule/.

3 p.m.

This online workshop will demonstrate how to effectively use the Gold Search Box on the Libraries' website, as well as how to find and use subject-specific databases. 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/.

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

A chapter of the Brain Exercise Initiative Organization has been established at VCU. BEI’s mission is to gather student volunteers for companionship and brain exercise, offering engagement to residents in local nursing homes. BEI has found the potential benefits of simple brain exercises such as speaking/reading aloud, engaging in basic math exercises and visual and musical art in slowing the progression of Alzheimer's disease. A general body meeting will be held at the Honors College Multipurpose Room (1303), 701 W. Grace St. Join the group at the following URL. Questions: Email vcu.brainexercise@gmail.com. Tricia Smith, Ph.D., is the group's sponsor.

For more information, contact Ihita Bolisetty at bolisettyi@vcu.edu or visit https://groupme.com/join_group/100096012/RbgCRT2R.

7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The Health Professions Organization will host HPO Helping Hands, a community service event. Participants will gather in Grace E. Harris Hall, 1015 Floyd Ave., Room 2105, to assemble gift bags for children as part of the Ronald McDonald charity initiative.

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

8:45 p.m.

“Echoes of a Dream: MLK’s Legacy in Richmond" looks at Richmond's early role in the civil rights movement by the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. The film will be shown at Movieland at Boulevard Square, 1301 N. Arthur Ashe Blvd. The film, part of the Richmond International Film and Music Festival, is by Tyrone Nelson, Jr., a VCU School of Business alum who graduated with a BS in Marketing with a concentration in marketing communication and analytics. He now runs his own digital marketing/news agency in Richmond - Newviews Agency. See the festival schedule at https://riff.eventive.org/passes/buy

For more information, contact VCU Department of Marketing at bahuhmann@vcu.edu or visit https://www.newviewsagency.com/echoesofadream.

Thursday, Sep. 25, 2025 from noon to 3 p.m.

VCU's Office of Development and Alumni Relations will host a campaign celebration at the VCU Commons Plaza. Celebrate the launch of Unlocking Potential: VCU’s Campaign for the Future, the university’s boldest fundraising campaign yet. Enjoy food, swag and plenty of fun with the VCU community.

For more information, contact Jared Kline at klinejc2@vcu.edu or visit https://www.support.vcu.edu/donors/campaign-launch-events/.

Thursday, Sep. 25, 2025 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The 2025 L. Douglas Wilder Symposium, "Virginia’s Elections: Our National Importance," will be held at the W.E. Singleton Center for the Performing Arts, 922 Park Ave. This event will explore Virginia’s historic gubernatorial race and the commonwealth’s role in shaping national politics. The program will bring together thought leaders and scholars including former Gov. Wilder; Susan T. Gooden, Ph.D., dean of the Wilder School; Robyn Diehl McDougle, Ph.D., associate dean of the Wilder School; Bob Holsworth, Ph.D., managing partner of DecideSmart and and Niraj Verma, Ph.D., professor of urban and regional planning at the Wilder School. RSVP at the following URL.

For more information, contact David Slipher at slipherd@vcu.edu or visit https://wilder.vcu.edu/news-and-events/signature-events/wilder-symposium/.

Thursday, Sep. 25, 2025 at 7 p.m.

VCU women's soccer will play Saint Louis University at Sports Backers Stadium, 100 Avenue of Champions.

For more information, contact Tavian Elliott at elliottt2@vcu.edu.

Thursday, Sep. 25, 2025 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

PennyAppeal at VCU will host a Pack-A-Bag: Dental Hygiene event in the University Student Commons, 907 Floyd Ave., Rooms A-B. Those who attend will help to pack 75 care kits for the local homeless community. Follow the organization on Instagram (@pennyappealatvcu) or RamsConnect.

For more information, contact PennyAppeal at VCU at officialpennyappealatvcu@gmail.com.

Friday, Sep. 26, 2025 from midnight to 1 p.m.

VCU's Division of Community Engagement in the Office of the Provost will host weekly open consultations for faculty, staff and partners to receive guidance and explore how to make the most of Collaboratory in their community-engaged work. Bring your questions or simply join the session to explore the database. Sessions will be held every Friday from noon–1 p.m. The Zoom link is https://vcu.zoom.us/j/81793039272?jst=2

For more information, contact Shari Garmise at garmiseso@vcu.edu or visit https://community.vcu.edu/.

Friday, Sep. 26, 2025 from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.

All are welcome to the Pride Collective's first general body meeting of the semester. Join in virtual community to network and brainstorm. Reach out at the pridecollect@vcu.edu or to president Steph Cull at culls@vcu.edu. Visit the group page on RamsConnect or at the following URL to register and become a member.

For more information, contact Steph Cull at culls@vcu.edu or visit https://cglink.me/2dV/r1940748.

Friday, Sep. 26, 2025 at 6 p.m.

The women's volleyball team will play Duquesne at the Siegel Center.

For more information, contact Tavian Elliott at elliottt2@vcu.edu.

Tuesday, Sep. 30, 2025 from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Student Virginia Education Association (SVEA) at VCU will present an interview prep preview workshop. Get a head start on your interview skills before the EPIC (Education Professionals in Collaboration) Conference. The workshop is a sneak peek into the breakout session hosted by Meghan Depue to explore the five key stories every future teacher should be ready to share in an interview. In this preview, learn how to craft and present one powerful story that highlights your strengths, while saving the remaining four stories for the full EPIC Conference session. The event will be at Oliver Hall – School of Education, Room 3085, 1015 W. Main St. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Linda Le at lel7@vcu.edu or visit https://cglink.me/2dV/r1940265.

Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025 at 5 p.m.

Participate Learning students are eligible for a special tuition benefit, receiving in-state tuition rates for the fully online M.Ed. in Educational Leadership with a concentration in Leadership Studies. That’s a 50 percent-plus discount for out-of-state students. This flexible, equity-centered program is designed for globally minded educators and professionals ready to lead in nonprofits, policy, higher education and health care. Questions: Visit https://soe.vcu.edu Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Brandon Norris at norrisbs@vcu.edu or visit https://connect.soe.vcu.edu/register/PLLSTFall2025.

Monday, Oct. 6, 2025 at 5 p.m.

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 Cam Parkins at parkinsc@vcu.edu or visit https://forms.gle/oooKzdjSDqDxrrYh7.

Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025 from 10 a.m. to noon

VCU's Division of Community Engagement in the Office of the Provost invites faculty to Advancing Scholarship Through Community Engagement, an in-person workshop at the Scott House, Rooms 202 and 204, 909 W. Franklin St. Lunch will be provided. Learn from VCU faculty who have transformed their community engagement into scholarship and take part in small group discussions to explore strategies for your own work. Register at https://forms.gle/kMLFxdTqoLv8R1Tm9

For more information, contact Challen Wellington at wellingtonc@vcu.edu or visit https://community.vcu.edu/training/.

Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025 from noon to 5 p.m.

Come to the 2025 History and Health Symposium, "Improving Access to Childbearing Health Care: Histories, Solutions and Strategies." This symposium will explore how access to childbearing care and resources is related to improving health outcomes and addressing health disparities.The symposium will be co-hosted by the Office of Health Initiatives and the Humanities Research Center. It will be held at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture, 428 N. Arthur Ashe Blvd. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Logan Vetrovec at ohiconnect@vcu.edu or visit https://healthinitiatives.vcu.edu/history-and-health-program/annual-symposium/.

VCU RecWell offers children’s swim lessons for ages 6 months to 6 years, taught by certified Water Safety Instructors under the American Red Cross program. The lessons focus on fundamental swimming and water safety skills, with support tailored to each child's comfort and ability. Session 2 will be on Saturdays from Oct. 4-25. Register by Oct. 3 at the following URL.

For more information, contact Mat Scott at aquatics@vcu.edu or visit https://portal.recwell.vcu.edu/program?classificationId=805d477a-53f7-4a08-8d31-2c0fb96d6ee0.

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/websitePage:6e0c8107-614f-4f23-9071-b38a134c75b2.

Nov. 20 is National Rural Health Day. VCU will host two events (virtual and in-person) to celebrate and acknowledge the rural health programming led by VCU and VCU Health faculty, staff and students. If you are engaged in any research, teaching, service or programming related to rural health, the university's Division of Community Health asks you to share your contributions at https://forms.gle/oD2zkNzxHMZTQehg9

For more information, contact Challen Wellington at wellingtonc@vcu.edu or visit https://community.vcu.edu/dce-news-events/events/.

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.

If you have worn the uniform and now call VCU home, this is for you. Whether you are student, faculty or staff, you can be a part of the Hero Study - a clinical trial funded by the Department of Defense. The study involves a non-invasive technique that may help people with a history of concussion or mild traumatic brain injury who still suffer from lingering effects. Be part of a federally funded initiative by the VCU School of Public Health to transform care for military service personnel. Financial compensation is available for participants' time and commitment. Flexible scheduling and confidential participation is available. Help shape the future of brain health - for yourself and for others. To learn if you qualify, call the following telephone number or email HEROStudy@vcu.edu

For more information, contact Urenna Orazulike, Bret Brooks at HEROstudy@vcu.edu or (804) 827-9692 or visit https://hero-study.org/.

This study is inviting individuals between the ages of 20 and 24 with poor sleep quality. The purpose of this research 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 Garrett Oehlert at healthyheart@vcu.edu.