11 a.m.

Explore how AI can be an innovative learning tool if used properly. 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. to 4 p.m.

This free attorney-led legal education series will help you learn about your legal rights concerning your housing and keeping your money safe. The session will be held at the VCU Health Hub, 1330 N. 25th St., Suite A. Register at the following link.

For more information, contact VCU Health Hub at vcuhealthhub@vcu.edu or visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScbW3CbioWMXFjk9HgO7mhCQv18XPLHEUpb43Q4mVf31F8CQQ/viewform.

3 p.m. to 4 p.m.

VCU's Richard T. Robertson School of Media and Culture will host a virtual infomational session for prospective students to learn more about the M.S. in Mass Communications with concentrations in Integrated Communication and Media Leadership. The school also offers a certificate in media and leadership. Questions: https://robertson.vcu.edu/academic Join the session at https://vcu.zoom.us/my/robertsongrad

For more information, contact Jonathan Brown at brownj64@vcu.edu or (804) 525-9425 or visit https://robertson.vcu.edu/academics/graduate/.

5 p.m.

VCU's Global Education Office and Continuing and Professional Education will offer a summer institute, the Summer Intercultural Leadership Program, in Strasbourg, France in 2026. Located at CEPA's European Studies Center at the Château de Pourtalès, a 250-year-old castle outside Strasbourg, participants will be in two courses for six credits earned in one month: IDST 391 and SOCY 3XX. Learn more about this program at an upcoming virtual informational session on Dec. 3 at 5 p.m. The Zoom link is https://vcu.zoom.us/j/82343764458 This session will be led by VCU professor Mike Rackett, Ph.D., who will be teaching IDST 391.

For more information, contact Alex Heyden at levya@vcu.edu or (804) 828-5794 or visit https://vcu.studioabroad.com/_portal/tds-program-brochure?programid=11623.

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

United Native Voices will hold a paint and sip night in the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs office, Suite 215, University Student Commons, 907 Floyd Ave. Come paint and de-stress before finals. This event is open to all students, faculty and staff.

For more information, contact Hamilton (Rilee) Langston at langstonhr@vcu.edu or (804) 513-6311.

7 p.m. to 8:15 p.m.

VCU's National Scholarship Office is offering a writing workshop via Zoom to support applicants of the Boren Awards in crafting their essays. Contact the following email address to register.

For more information, contact Jeff Wing at jawing@vcu.edu.

7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Are you thinking of applying to the Brandcenter master’s program, but aren’t sure where to start? Join Brandcenter admissions via Zoom to learn more about the application requirements, prerequisites and topics to keep in mind when completing the application. Find out about the qualities and skills Brandcenter seeks in successful applicants and sit in on a Q&A session. You’re welcome to come with specific questions about the application. Register at the following URL.

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

7 p.m.

The National Scholarship Office at VCU is offering a writing workshop via Zoom to support Boren Awards applicants in crafting their essays. The program provides up to $25,000 for U.S. citizens in undergrad or graduate programs to study abroad with a focus on the study of critical languages, cultures and regions. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact VCU NSO at natlscholar@vcu.edu or visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeGeQZUZrFFVlYzcaTQeV9au4YbKf-tDLCDyXLyBc-FD-_wwA/viewform?pli=1.

9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

A free kidney health screening event with simple tests and education will be offered at the VCU Health Hub, 1330 N. 25th St., Suite A. Learn about kidney health and connect with resources to support your well-being.

For more information, contact VCU Health Hub at vcuhealthhub@vcu.edu.

Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

VCU's Global Education Office will host its second annual English Language Program Student Symposium on the third floor at 912 W. Grace St. Join international students from around the world as they display their literature review research through poster presentations.

For more information, contact Audrey Emiko Short at aeshort@vcu.edu.

Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025 from noon to 1 p.m.

VCU's C. Kenneth and Dianne Wright Center for Clinical and Translational Research will host via Zoom a lunch research seminar on the Overton Index, the world's largest policy and grey literature database. Inesia Adolph, Overton’s head of engagement and customer education, will discuss the index, which ranks more than 21 million policy documents worldwide to show the real-world policy influence of your research. 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/mACsZ9ndQ-6Vc6ORbPViUA.

Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025 from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.

The Health Hub now holds weekly Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings on Thursdays at 1330 N. 25th St., Suite A. Meetings may include readings from AA literature, personal stories of recovery and open discussion guided by the Twelve Steps. All who have a desire to stop drinking are welcome, regardless of background or length of sobriety.

For more information, contact VCU Health Hub at vcuhealthhub@vcu.edu.

Friday, Dec. 5, 2025 from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Want to learn more about the No. 1 graduate program for advertising and branding in the U.S.? Come to the Preview Day at 103 S. Jefferson St. to see what it’s like to be a Brandcenter student. You’ll meet current students and faculty, learn about Brandcenter programs and attend the forum speaker series. The Dec. 5 forum will feature two Brandcenter alumni who are creative directors at Maximum Effort, the production company and marketing agency founded by Ryan Reynolds. Register at the following URL.

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

Friday, Dec. 5, 2025 from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Come to the Auctus December GBM to learn how to have your research, art and creative works published in VCU's undergraduate journal. Learn how you can join the editorial team and work with peers and faculty, and officer position openings in the group. The meeting will be held in the Multipurpose Room (1303), Honors College, 701 W. Grace St. Those who cannot attend in person can reach out to auctus@vcu.edu. Join RamsConnect to receive Auctus updates at https://vcu.campusgroups.com/auctus/club_signup.

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

Friday, Dec. 5, 2025 at 7 p.m.

The VCU Department of Music will host its 38th annual holiday gala in Sonia Vlahcevic Concert Hall in VCU’s W.E. Singleton Center for the Performing Arts, 922 Park Ave. The program of holiday music will feature VCU’s Jazz Combo, the Symphonic Wind Ensemble, the Commonwealth Singers, the Guitar Ensembles and other VCU ensembles. Proceeds from the event will benefit The Doorways. Tickets are $15.40 for adults and $6 for current VCU students and for children ages 12 and under. Tickets can be purchased in advance.

For more information, contact Cleo VanSant at vansantj@vcu.edu or visit https://arts.vcu.edu/event/vcus-38th-annual-holiday-gala/.

Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025 at 7 p.m.

Join the Neave Trio, VCU's ensemble in residence, as they perform "In Her Hands," in the Sonia Vlahcevic Concert Hall of the W.E. Singleton Center, 922 Park Ave. The performance will feature works by Pejačević, Chaminade and the Virginia premiere of "A Vast Palette" by Jennifer Higdon, which asks: Can colors be reflected in music?

For more information, contact Cleo VanSant at vansantj@vcu.edu or visit https://arts.vcu.edu/event/neave-trio-performance-2/.

Monday, Dec. 8, 2025 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Jewish Life at VCU will host Share the Light, the annual Mega Chanukah Drop at the University Student Commons Plaza, 907 Floyd Ave. Ari Lesser, Jewish rapper, singer and spoken-word artist, will perform. Doughnuts and Menorah To Go will be available. Win a gold diamond Star of David necklace. All students, faculty and staff are invited. RSVP at the following URL.

For more information, contact Rabbi Menachem Lessoff at Rabbi@vcu.edu or (804) 404-3637 or visit https://jewishvcu.org/chanukah.

Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025 at 5 p.m.

Join us for an upcoming information session to 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: 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/PhDELPJFall25.

As the semester winds down, students (and colleagues) are invited to share words of gratitude with VCU professors. University faculty members work hard to make a positive impact – let them know you’ve noticed. Expressing kindness not only brightens someone’s day, it’s good for you too. Questions: Contact the Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence at ctle@vcu.edu. Spread joy and send your VCU profs some well-deserved props through the following URL.

For more information, contact Susan Coombes at ctle@vcu.edu or visit https://forms.gle/u1b8ByEcK3r5jzqG8.

The TRIO McNair Scholars team shares resources and opportunities with students through its Pre-McNair Program, which offers services to students needing preparation for graduate study. Through workshops and mentorship, the team extends an invitation to students who have not yet been accepted into the McNair Program. Students who participate in Pre-McNair events may be given priority consideration during the upcoming McNair Scholars Program application. See the interest form at the following URL.

For more information, contact Shay Lumpkin at lumpkinm@vcu.edu or (804) 928-8523 or visit https://forms.gle/b5CSFEQ9h8N14UxJ6.

Winter break is a great time to start looking for and applying to jobs and internships. Stop by the VCU Career Services Office, University Student Commons, 907 Floyd Ave., Room 143 or the satellite office in Hunton Student Center, Suite 205, 1110 E. Broad St. Meet with a Peer Career Counselor during drop-in hours Tuesday-Friday weekly from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

For more information, contact Ashley Worthington at worthingtonar@vcu.edu or visit https://careers.vcu.edu/about/contact-us/.

RecWell facilities will operate on winter break hours from Friday, Dec. 12 through Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. Facilities will be closed Wednesday, Dec. 24 through Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. See full facility hours at the following URL.

For more information, contact Scott Steiner at recwell@vcu.edu or visit https://recwell.vcu.edu/facilities-and-hours/.

The VCU Office of Health Initiatives and the Humanities Research Center will host eight online learning modules examining the challenges to providing health care in rural communities in the United States. Modules are designed to take one to two hours to complete - complete four and to earn a microcredential. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Logan Vetrovec at ohiconnect@vcu.edu or visit https://historyandhealth.catalog.vcu.edu/programs/ruralhealth.

Looking for a fun, community-focused way to make music at VCU? Join one of the university's three choral ensembles. All are welcome — no need to be a music major. Choral Arts Society (APPM 359): No audition required. Open to all students, faculty and staff. Rehearses MW 1:30-2:50 p.m. Commonwealth Singers (APPM 358): Audition required. SATB Mixed Chorus. Rehearses MWF 12-1:15 p.m. Vox Concordia (APPM 378): Audition required. SSAA Treble Chorus. Rehearses T/Th 2-3:20 p.m. All are sponsored by VCU's Department of Music.

For more information, contact Christopher Hansen, Ph.D., at hansenc3@vcu.edu or visit https://arts.vcu.edu/music/ensembles/ensembles-auditions/.

Do you miss singing? Join Vox Concordia and rediscover the joy. Open to sopranos and altos of all majors. Auditions by appointment the week of Jan. 12, 2026.

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

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. Questions: Contact The KHS Healthy Heart Lab at healthyheart@vcu.edu.

For more information, contact Garrett Oehlert at healthyheart@vcu.edu.

Black women ages 18-35 who have no experience with resistance exercise (e.g., lifting weights, resistance bands, body weight exercises) are invited to share their perspectives about resistance exercise and 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 for 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.

Females ages 12-21 are invited to participate in a research study exploring POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome), Post-Infection and healthy controls. Researchers want to better understand how the brain and body reacts with and without POTS. The study includes a one- to two-year commitment and will be on the VCU/VCUHS campus. Compensation will be provided. See the screening form at the following URL.

For more information, contact Ivan Tavinogradov at ivan.tavinogradov@vcuhealth.org or (804) 828-5269 or visit https://redcap.vcu.edu/surveys/?s=4NTE8HMFDFF8THWA.