11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Join a dedicated writing group. Whether you’re working on a manuscript, grant proposal or other scholarly project, this group provides fellowship, accountability and focused writing time. Sessions are held every Friday from 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m. via Zoom, hosted by the Division of Community Engagement in collaboration with the Council for Community Engagement Research Work Group. Register at the following URL or join at this Zoom link: https://vcu.zoom.us/j/86507914411

For more information, contact Challen Wellington at wellingtonc@vcu.edu or visit https://forms.gle/dKNsb9AYcVqS7kMa8.

12 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: VCU's Database for Community and Civic Engagement Activities and Partnerships in their work. Bring your questions or simply join us to explore the database. Sessions will be held every Friday from 12–1 p.m. Note that there will be no session held on Friday, Oc. 24. 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/community/collaboratory/.

4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Feedback Friday is a dynamic roundtable at which your voice shapes the future of student entrepreneurship. Bring your curiosity, questions and your vote for people’s choice award. From ready-to-buy items to concepts in need of refinement, SHIFT is where ideas evolve with real-world feedback. The event is open to all. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Shift Retail Lab at shiftretail@vcu.edu or visit https://connect.business.vcu.edu/register/Feedback-Fri-Oct-17.

Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025 at 4 p.m.

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

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

Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025 at 3 p.m.

Showcase your dance moves with the Dancing Stars. Auditions for the dance group will be Oct. 19 and Oct. 26 in the T. Edward Temple Building, Room 1165, 901 W. Main St.

For more information, contact Jianna John at johnj5@vcu.edu.

Monday, Oct. 20, 2025 at 10 a.m.

In this interactive Zoom workshop, participants will scrutinize examples of strong, successful personal statements as well as less successful ones. Learn 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/.

Monday, Oct. 20, 2025 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Are you interested in drug discovery? Drug development? Drug delivery? You are invited to a poster session showcasing research in the School of Pharmacy. Learn about Pharmaceutical Sciences and take part in a raffle for some swag. The event will be in the University Student Commons, Richmond Salons, 907 Floyd Ave.

For more information, contact Mary Kate Brogan at broganm2@vcu.edu or (804) 828-7701.

Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025 at 10 a.m.

Faculty members are invited to an in-person workshop to learn from VCU tenured faculty who have leveraged their community engagement into successful promotion and tenure. Mentorship opportunities are available. The event will be at the Scott House, 909 W. Franklin St. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Challen Wellington at wellingtonc@vcu.edu or visit https://forms.gle/kMLFxdTqoLv8R1Tm9.

Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025 at noon

In partnership with LEDstudio, this interactive session will guide faculty through the process of reimagining their traditional assignments through a creative lens. Learn how to invite students to express their ideas through multimedia formats such as videos, podcasts and interactive games. This workshop will focus heavily on Adobe Express, which faculty can access by filling out the form at the following URL. Also, register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Ginny Thompson at vthompson5@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.libcal.com/event/15431786.

Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

You First at VCU will host a night market at Rams Horn Plaza. Come for an evening of arts, cultures, student organizations and campus resources. Enjoy free mehndi (henna) designs, live screen printing featuring a lotus design and raffle prizes.

For more information, contact Zisu Liao at liaoz@vcu.edu.

Friday, Oct. 24, 2025 from noon to 2 p.m.

The VCU Office of Alumni Relations invites soon-to-be grads for a Countdown-to-Commencement celebration in the Commons Plaza, 907 Floyd Ave. Enjoy great vibes, food and music, plus giveaways, head shots and a resource fair to help you prepare for your next chapter. Save your spot today.

For more information, contact Sarah Ramkey, director of alumni and student engagement at ramkeysm@vcu.edu or visit https://give.vcu.edu/schools/VirginiaCommonwealthUniversity/events/50-days-till-the-tassel-turns?utm_source=vcua&utm_medium=events&utm_campaign=oar-telegram-fy25.

Friday, Oct. 24, 2025 from noon to 4 p.m.

Join the Humanities Research Center for two final Humanities Week events of 2025: walking tours in collaboration with The Valentine. The "Murals of Jackson Ward" walking tour (325 N. Second St.) will run from noon to 1:30 p.m. and the "Women of the Gilded Age" walking tour (211 E. Franklin St.) will run from 2 p.m. to 3:30.p.m. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Ellie Musgrave at musgraveec@vcu.edu or visit https://humanitiescenter.vcu.edu/events/humanities-week/walking-tours-with-the-valentine-museum.html.

Friday, Oct. 24, 2025 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Come to Auctus’ October GBM to learn how to have your research, art and creative works published in VCU's undergraduate journal. Learn how to join the editorial team and work with peers and faculty to review and edit submissions. The meeting will be in the Honors College, 701 W. Grace St., Room 1303. Join the group's RamsConnect at the following URL to receive Auctus updates.

For more information, contact Auctus at auctus@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.campusgroups.com/auctus/club_signup.

Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025 from noon to 12:30 p.m.

Join VCU HR and VCU RecWell to take a break from the noise to find a quiet reflection in the middle of your day with virtual guided meditation. This session is suitable for all levels of practice. Register in Talent@VCU or at: https://bit.ly/46iT35I

For more information, contact Cindi Phares at cphares@vcu.edu or visit https://ramstrong.vcu.edu/events/upcoming-events-for-employees/.

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

Come to the 2025 History and Health Symposium to explore how access to childbearing health care and resources is related to improving health outcomes and addressing health disparities. Michelle Debbink, M.D., Ph.D., will give the keynote lecture, "Moving Beyond 'Disparities' to Improve Childbearing Health Care: Community-Driven, Data-Informed Change." The symposium, co-hosted by the Office of Health Initiatives and the Humanities Research Center, will be 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/.

Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025 at noon

VCU and VCU Health invite you to celebrate National Rural Health Day on Thursday, Nov. 20, with two events that highlight the contributions of faculty, staff and students advancing rural health through research, programming, clinical practice and service. See more details at the link below and Register here: https://forms.gle/oD2zkNzxHMZTQehg9

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

Did you know that VCU offers up to $5,000 in funding for undergraduate students seeking an off-campus spring internship that is unpaid and/or based in Virginia? Applications are open until Nov. 2 at 11:59 p.m.

For more information, contact Jeanette Hickl at jwhickl@vcu.edu or visit https://careers.vcu.edu/resources/internshipfundingprogram/.

Students from VCU's Center for Sport Leadership want to know how their fellow students spend their free time in the Richmond area — hobbies, clubs, sports, anything. Your anonymous survey answers will help complete a Sports Marketing Final Project and plan events that fit student life. Take the two-minute survey at the following URL.

For more information, contact Xaviar Goodman at goodmanx@vcu.edu or (301) 602-8380 or visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfQX-9hKqjaoDHWOcEV4J1FzuGv96Vaz5eWNIsRQGudS7WlJQ/viewform.

Catch up on all the latest updates and initiatives from VCU’s community engagement initiatives. Explore upcoming opportunities for faculty, staff, students and community partners, discover inspiring collaborations and find ways to become involved. Read the newsletter at the following URL.

For more information, contact Alliannah Hamilton at hamiltonae@vcu.edu or visit https://mailchi.mp/vcu/vcu-community-engagement-october-2025-newsletter.

Faculty members are invited to apply for up to $5,000 in funding to support community-engaged data dissemination. Informational sessions will be held for those interested in submitting a proposal. Visit VCU's Division of Community Engagement at the following URL to register for the sessions and review the full proposal requirements.

For more information, contact Mitsuko Cedra at cedrasmd@vcu.edu or visit https://community.vcu.edu/facultystaff/grants/ddgrants2026/.

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 take a survey to determine if you may be eligible.

For more information, contact Redefining BMI study at bmiproject@vcu.edu or (804) 828-5362 or visit https://www.redefiningbmi.com/.

This study is inviting individuals between the ages of 18 and 30 who identify as cisgender heterosexual for the control group.

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

In conjunction with Cancer Awareness Month, CTAI invites survivors to share their journeys to help raise awareness and empower others. Contact the following email address if you’d like to be featured.

For more information, contact Aya Elhassani at elhassania@vcu.edu.