11 a.m. to 12 p.m.

This workshop will cover the various configurations of Canvas Gradebook, as well as how to use Speedgrader within Canvas. Register at: https://training.vcu.edu/course.aspx?processFlag=2&itemID=18534 Authenticate into workshop with eID and password. The Zoom link is https://vcu.zoom.us/j/2324828315?omn=89479731516 Sponsored by Academic Affairs and Technology Services.

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

4 p.m.

Learn the tools necessary to professionally communicate in a positive, skillful and confident manner. 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/.

5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The VCU Division of Community Engagement will host an interactive workshop at the VCU Health Hub at 25th, 1330 N. 25th St. This workshop will allow those in attendance to share their insights and lived experiences of working with VCU. The goal is to explore what matters most in building meaningful and measurable community engagement.

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

Friday, Sep. 12, 2025 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Join VCU Payroll Services for an overview of the PHARED process. This session is for all persons responsible for keying PHARED transactions. The overview will include a detailed walk-through of completing a PHARED and do's and don'ts to ensure submissions are successful. Register at the following URL. All registrants will receive an invitation containing the Zoom link.

For more information, contact Veronica B. King at vbking@vcu.edu or (804) 827-1807 or visit https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1InN6tlwmiVSGOkRSLkyGIa1P6ZwiS_xM1gOYklMvfEQ/edit?gid=0#gid=0.

Friday, Sep. 12, 2025 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Soteria will hold a Paint and Sip event in the Alumni Association Board Room in the University Student Commons, 907 Floyd Ave. Meet other members, learn about the organization and enjoy refreshments. Supplies will be provided.

For more information, contact Penelope Copetas at copetaspe@vcu.edu.

Saturday, Sep. 13, 2025 at 3 p.m.

Always been curious about Dungeons and Dragons but don’t know where to start? Want to have the chance to audition for a wildly fun improvised show? Come to the Dodgeballs and Dragons character building workshop. Through theatrical exercises and group storytelling you’ll build the foundational elements of your D&D Fifth Edition character. Willing participants will be considered for a live show on Saturday, Sept. 20. Be the Hero. Be the Monster. Be the Dodgeball. The event will be at the Shafer Street Playhouse, 221 N. Shafer St., Room 204.

For more information, contact Teddy McPherson at mcphersont@vcu.edu or (414) 477-7921 or visit https://www.instagram.com/dodgeballsanddragons?igsh=MW12MWcwcG5udWppZg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr.

Tuesday, Sep. 16, 2025 from noon to 1:15 p.m.

The Office of the Provost, Faculty Affairs, is hosting a monthly session for faculty entitled "Mentoring and Working With Graduate Students." This event is co-sponsored with the Graduate School. It features a conversation on developing and fostering effective mentoring and working relationships with graduate students and will include a discussion of the "Compact" being developed by the Graduate School. This is a virtual event. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Archana Pathak at aapathak@vcu.edu or visit https://forms.gle/qdkvnTSRsuWVa8Qv7.

Tuesday, Sep. 16, 2025 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The Pace Center will host “Bond-Building Badge” training at 700 W. Franklin St. The training helps provide the tools to move beyond small talk and build friendships that last. Open to all VCU students. Dinner will be served.

For more information, contact Russell Kerr at kerrr@vcu.edu or (804) 658-4064 or visit https://www.thepacecenter.com/.

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

The Center for Human-Animal Interaction invites you to Pups on the Plaza on Thursday, Sept. 18. The first 200 meals will be complimentary (limit one per those in attendance). Pre-sales will be today, Monday, Sept. 15 on the first floor of Main Hospital, 1250 E. Marshall St. Support the Dogs on Call program by purchasing a Dogs on Call T-shirt or securing a meal ticket in advance (recommended if you may not be among the first 200 or would like more than one ticket).

For more information, contact Center for Human-Animal Interaction at chai@vcuhealth.og or (804) 628-5232 or visit https://chai.vcu.edu/.

Thursday, Sep. 18, 2025 from noon to 1 p.m.

VCU's Kenneth and Dianne Wright Center for Clinical and Translational Research and Department of Biostatistics will present a lunch research seminar via Zoom. Roy Sabo, Ph.D., professor of biostatistics, will discuss the critical roles of sampling and variability in interpreting research data. Learn how to effectively use confidence intervals to enhance the accuracy and reliability of your research findings. Questions: https://cctr.vcu.edu/ Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Pamela Dillon, Pharm.D., research liaison, at pmdillon@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.zoom.us/meeting/register/cEv-2e50TEeT5eB4ejGJ5w.

Thursday, Sep. 18, 2025 from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Take a look behind the scenes of VCU's grad program in advertising and branding. This virtual session will break down the application process, the 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 discussion will also include the kinds of industry careers available and how Brandcenter can help grads get there. Register for the Zoom link at the following URL.

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

Friday, Sep. 19, 2025 at noon

Join VCU HR and RecWell to take a break from the noise to find a quiet reflection in the middle of your day with this virtual guided meditation. This meditation is suitable for all levels of practice. Register in Talent@VCU or at: https://bit.ly/4fPVfEI

For more information, contact Cindi Phares at cphares@vcu.edu or visit https://ramstrong.vcu.edu/.

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/.

Tuesday, Sep. 30, 2025 at noon

Tired of button-pushers, drama-makers or people who just seem …. extra? Join VCU HR and Anthem EAP for a virtual session to pick up practical, stress-saving strategies to handle those tricky interactions with confidence. Walk away with tools to keep your cool, protect your energy and maybe even turn tough situations into smoother ones. Register in Talent@VCU or at: https://bit.ly/47eCzfF

For more information, contact Cindi Phares at cphares@vcu.edu or visit https://ramstrong.vcu.edu/.

Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025 from 9 a.m. to noon

The Office of the University Ombudsperson will sponsor the 12th annual National Conflict Resolution Day event. "Navigating Difficult Situations in a Moving Landscape" is this year's theme. The event will feature a keynote address from nationally known conflict resolution practitioners, strategies for managing conflict and an interactive dialogue with those in attendance. The event will be in the Virginia Rooms of the University Student Commons, 907 Floyd Ave. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Michele Murray at mmurray2@vcu.edu or visit https://ombudsperson.vcu.edu/events/national-conflict-resolution-day/.

Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025 at 5 p.m.

Learn more about the Ph.D. in Education, Leadership, Policy and Justice concentration, a program designed for scholars and changemakers committed to advancing equity and transforming systems. Rooted in an urban context and grounded in social justice, this interdisciplinary program prepares leaders to critically examine the barriers to educational equity and develop innovative, research-based solutions that make a real-world impact. Questions: https://soe.vcu.edu Register for the session at the following URL.

For more information, contact Brandon Norris at norrisbs@vcu.edu or visit https://connect.soe.vcu.edu/register/25FallELPJ.

Start achieving your fitness goals through knowledge and strength. A certified personal trainer will teach the foundational methods of resistance training and workout design. 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. The morning session will be Tuesdays and Thursdays, The evening session wil be Mondays and Wednesdays. Classes are open to students and 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.

Your mission: Stay healthy this season. Your tools: Free flu and COVID shots for all VCU employees brought to you by VCU Human Resources. Four clinics - two campuses. Sign up online or just walk in. Quick. Easy. Super-protective. Cape optional. Sleeves required. Visit the following URL for more information.

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

Are you looking for a way to make a larger impact on the Richmond community? Rams Aging and Engaging is a student chapter that advocates for and supports the nonprofit Richmond Aging and Engaging, an organization that aims to boost community engagement and revive the aspects of everyday life to low-income communities of elderly individuals. The VCU undergraduate and graduate chapter is recruiting several officers; if interested, contact the following email address.

For more information, contact Rhea Chatterjee at chatterjeer2@vcu.edu or visit https://agingandengaging.org/about-us/.

The Office of the Provost - Faculty Affairs is launching the VCU Faculty Mentoring Program for the 2025-26 academic year and only a few spots remain open for those who wish to be mentored. Assistant and associate professors interested in working with a mentor are invited to complete the interest form at the following URL by Friday, Sept. 12. Questions: Contact Hope Kelly at kellyh3@vcu.edu

For more information, contact Tiffany Freitas at freitast@vcu.edu or visit https://forms.gle/RncRDW9pX8XzWX8L9.

VCU will partner with George W. Carver Elementary School, 1110 W. Leigh St., on Friday, Sept. 26 for a Spirit Day Pep Rally (7:30–9 a.m.) or sign up for a Field Day shift to help with games, activities and book giveaways. VCU students, faculty, staff and alumni are invited to participate. Sign up to volunteer at the following URL.

For more information, contact Verenda Cobbs at s2vkcobb@vcu.edu or visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeolJZbbNGEzHGVPDyjKwvZI1_mdjoT_OQwAxTzJW5mqxgQ7w/viewform.

The Translational Research on Eating and Affect (TREAT) Lab is recruiting adolescents and young adults assigned female at birth (aged 12 to 25 years) for a brain imaging study to understand risky decision-making in individuals who have concerns about their body shape/weight, or overeat, purge, use laxatives, diet severely, or exercise excessively. We are also investigating these processes in individuals without a psychological disorder. There will be compensation for participation. Take the survey at the following URL.

For more information, contact Kelsey Hagan, Ph.D., PI at treatlab@vcuhealth.org or (804) 827-4174 or visit https://redcap.vcu.edu/surveys/?s=48YEAYT8MK33E8EJ..

Black women ages 18-35 who have little to no experience with resistance exercise (e.g., lifting weights, resistance bands, body weight exercises) are invited to share these experiences along with their desired features of a mobile app aimed to help guide and track their exercise regimens. Women will be invited to complete a one-time interview plus two surveys at a local library of their choice. Compensation is available. Check your eligibility at the following URL.

For more information, contact Chloe Jones, Ph.D., Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences at jonesc53@vcu.edu or visit https://redcap.vcu.edu/surveys/?s=CJCT4ELK87PHXKK3.

One-time survey to assess health behaviors and performance among adults enrolled in an upcoming endurance race. See the survey at the following URL.

For more information, contact Alexandra Lempke, Ph.D., at alexandra.lempke@vcuhealth.org or visit https://redcap.vcu.edu/surveys/?s=EE4CW7XX7F7YPW4H.