Faculty/staff Issue for September 19, 2025
Today
VCU Writing Center Workshop: The Personal Statement
11 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/.
VCU Globe Speaker Series Launch Event With Krista Scott
12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
VCU Global Education Office will host Krista Scott, Ed.D., associate vice president of Strategic Enrollment Management and Student Success Special Programs, as the first speaker in the new VCU Globe Speaker Series. The session will be held in Room 303, James Branch Cabell Library, 901 Park Ave. The series will feature professionals who bring a global perspective through their lived, studied or professional experiences across cultures. A free lunch from Chicken Fiesta will be available for the first 50 registered on RamsConnect at the following URL.
For more information, contact Alex Heyden at levya@vcu.edu or (804) 828-5794 or visit https://cglink.me/2dV/r1940646.
You First Presents: Demystifying Student Loans
12 p.m. to 12:50 p.m.
Join Amy Pridemore, executive director of the VCU Financial Success Center by VACU, for a discussion on student loans. Learn about good debt versus bad debt, how to decide whether to take out loans and what paying them back looks like. Also get information on private versus federal loans and when it may be appropriate to them. Click o the Zoom link at the following URL.
For more information, contact Elizabeth Bambacus at bambacuses@vcu.edu or (804) 827-3927 or visit https://vcu.zoom.us/meeting/register/r2iDVnMfTaip77YXe26ovw.
Open Consultations for Collaboratory: VCU's Database for Community Engaged Activities and Partnerships
12 p.m. 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://calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0/r/eventedit/copy/Mm1oMmttbWtvcjJzNmw1dGU1NjE4MnJuYmlfMjAyNTA5MjZUMTYwMDAwWiBkY2VAdmN1LmVkdQ/aGFtaWx0b25hZUB2Y3UuZWR1?scp=ALL.
Shabbat Dinner - Jewish Life at VCU
7 p.m.
Join Jewish Life at VCU for a traditional Shabbat dinner where friends gather for a delicious meal featuring our acclaimed matzah ball soup, homemade challah and more. Enjoy lively singing and a warm, sophisticated atmosphere for an unforgettable evening. Register at the following URL.
For more information, contact Rabbi Menachem Lessoff at lessoffmm@vcu.edu or (804) 404-3637 or visit https://jewishvcu.org/roshhashana.
This week
VCU and The Nuclear Company Present 'The Nuclear Frontier' Film Screening and Industry - Academic Panel Discussion
Saturday, Sep. 20, 2025 from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
As part of the Nuclear Frontier Bus Tour, VCU and The Nuclear Company will co-host a screening of the documentary “The Nuclear Frontier,” followed by a panel discussion featuring VCU faculty and industry leaders. The film explores nuclear energy’s role in grid resiliency, AI data center demand, national security. and global leadership. It is supported by Nucor, Cameco, Palantir and TNC. A lunch reception will be at 11:30 a.m. and film begins at 12:30 p.m. in the STEM Building, Room 216, 817 W. Franklin St. Jhansi Kandansamy, vice president of advanced nuclear and external affairs, The Nuclear Company, will moderate. Confirmed panelists include Jessika Rojas, Ph.D., professor, nuclear engineering at VCU; Stu Berg, president, QualDoc, a supplier of on-premises power for data centers; Jerry Bischof, retired senior vice president of nuclear operations and fleet performance, Dominion Energy; and Brian Smith, director of nuclear reactor development, Idaho National Labs. The event is sponsored by VCU's Office of the Vice Provost for Innovation and Strategic Design. RSVP at the following URL.
For more information, contact Anita Taylor at ahtaylor2@vcu.edu or visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-nuclear-frontier-virginia-commonwealth-university-tickets-1657874610589?aff=ebdssbdestsearch.
Free Show: Dodgeballs and Dragons
Saturday, Sep. 20, 2025 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Dodgeballs and Dragons will be doing a free show at VCU Commons Plaza. Come throw some dodgeballs at the players onstage to control the story set in a plane of existence ruled by mechanisms called the Realm of Mechanus. Can the players stop chaos from creeping in to this dimension of order? Be the hero. Be the monster. Be the dodgeball. The event will be in the VCU Commons Plaza.
For more information, contact Timothy McPherson at mcphersont@vcu.edu or visit https://www.instagram.com/dodgeballsanddragons?igsh=MW12MWcwcG5udWppZg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr.
VCU Women's Volleyball vs. N.C. State - Home Opener
Saturday, Sep. 20, 2025 at 6 p.m.
The women's volleyball team will play N.C. State in their home opener at the Siegel Center at 6 p.m.
For more information, contact Tavian Elliott at elliottt2@vcu.edu.
VCU Men's Soccer vs. Dayton
Saturday, Sep. 20, 2025 at 7 p.m.
The VCU men's soccer team will play Dayton at Sports Backers Stadium, 100 Avenue of Champions.
For more information, contact Gideon Seip at seipgc@vcu.edu.
Coming up
Global Initiatives Master Class Series: International Student Success
Tuesday, Sep. 23, 2025 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
VCU’s Global Education Office will hold the first workshop of the Fall 2025 Global Initiatives Master Class Series: International Student Success in the Richmond Salon IV, University Student Commons, 907 Floyd Ave. Vivian Wang, Ph.D., vice provost for global engagement of the University of Tulsa, will present the workshop, "From Students to Global Ambassadors: A Strategic Approach to International Alumni Engagement." Wang will present a comprehensive approach for supporting international students. Register at the following URL.
For more information, contact Nicol Tinsley at nctinsley@vcu.edu or (804) 828-6463 or visit https://global.vcu.edu/master-class-series.
2025 L. Douglas Wilder Symposium 'Virginia's Elections: Our National Importance'
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/.
Faculty Event at VCU Health Hub at 25th
Friday, Sep. 26, 2025 from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Come to The Faculty Connect at the VCU Health Hub, 1330 N. 25th St., Suite A, to explore current programming and collectively envision how VCU’s teaching, research and resources can align with community-identified needs for mutual benefit. Register at the following URL.
For more information, contact VCU Health Hub at 25th at vcuhealthhub@vcu.edu or visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeGQNPpMiWa8CiCOanfeyrCR3xslc7VQOabCLoWwwItqxlxdA/viewform?usp=header.
Volunteers Needed for VCU Spirit Day and Field Day at Carver Elementary
Friday, Sep. 26, 2025 at 7:30 a.m.
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://forms.gle/AMuFSoxQknDDSG9X9.
Objects + Methods Lecture Series With Ryan Kuo
Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025 at 12:30 p.m.
Join the Department of Graphic Design to welcome visiting artist Ryan Kuo for the Objects + Methods lecture series. Kuo is an artist and writer in New York City. He makes diagrammatic and conceptual systems that are process-based and often invoke a person or people arguing. This is not to state an argument about a thing, but to be caught in a state of argument. The event will be in the theater of the University Student Commons, 907 Floyd Ave.
For more information, contact Luiza Dale at oliveiramal@vcu.edu or visit https://objectsandmethods.net.
Attend Supervisors and Managers Boot Camp, a Professional Development Course
Monday, Oct. 6, 2025 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The Grace E. Harris Leadership Development Institute’s Supervisors and Managers Boot Camp is open for registration. This five-day course is an interactive sequence of topics, tips and tools focused on developing leadership skills while increasing knowledge and confidence in solving some of the challenges that come with supervising others. The course will be held at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture, 428 N. Arthur Ashe Blvd. Questions: Visit http://www.gehli.vcu.edu Register at the following URL.
For more information, contact Victoria Carter-Johnston at carterjohnsva@vcu.edu or (804) 827-1583 or visit https://gehli.vcu.edu/trainings-and-institutes/supervisors-and-managers-bootcamp-smb/.
Notices
Be a Germ-Fighting Hero
Your mission: Stay healthy this season. Your tools: Free flu 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/.
Campaign Celebrations
VCU's Office of Development and Alumni Relations will host two campaign celebrations from noon-3 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 25, at the VCU Commons Plaza, and from noon-3 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 30, on the Compass at Jonah L. Larrick Student Center, 900 Turpin St. 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/.
Help Improve Health Care: Take a 25-Minute Survey for Medical Providers
Medical providers — all who work in clinical settings — are invited to take a brief, 25-minute survey. The goal is to better understand provider perspectives on occupational stress related to policy changes or practices. The survey is completely confidential and individual input will help inform future health care practices. Enter a raffle to win one of six $100 charitable donations to a philanthropic organization in the Richmond area. To participate, go to the following URL.
For more information, contact Julie Suyama, M.D., Ph.D. at Julie.Suyama@vcuhealth.org or visit https://vcupsych.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0NTDp7fT25xzCeO.
Participants Are Invited for a Study Examining Psychosocial Stress and Cardiovascular Health in Sexual and Gender Minority Adults at the Healthy Heart Lab
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.
Bone Health Research Study
Paid research opportunity to improve bone health among girls and women ages 14-30. This is a 12-month clinical trial in collaboration with UVA Health studying the effects of two medications in addition to estrogen and progesterone on bone health. This will require nine study visits including history and physical exams, blood draws, health questionnaires and bone density scans. Participants will be paid up to $925 and up to $25 per visit to cover travel. For more information and to become involved, please see the full study flyer: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vEGBy9G6FO1VO0oo5s_yRlOmAgS-VE_q/view?usp=share_link
For more information, contact Alexandra Lempke, Ph.D., at alexandra.lempke@vcuhealth.org or visit https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://uvahealth.com/clinicaltrials/romosozumab-adjunct-physiologic-estrogen-replacement-adolescents-young-adults*:*:text=434.982.0871-,Romosozumab*20as*20an*20Adjunct*20to*20Physiologic*20Estrogen*20Replacement*20in*20Adolescents,925__;I34lJSUlJSUlJSU!!JqxBPMk!lrwHlzW2FC0n7r--Xg8PwM175CXiQwvan_W5czScxOyPfk5knfqzMHNGglmBNxbzjHy9OAt_2_fWP1DpDTEcAmY$.
Other resources
VCU Libraries workshops
See a schedule of workshops and classes that teach how to use collections and databases.
LinkedIn Learning @ VCU
Navigate a vast library of online video tutorials to supplement teaching, learning, and professional development.