2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

The Pace Center (700 W. Franklin St.) will host a Christmas carol sing-along. Get in the Christmas spirit by bringing your favorite hymn to share with others or just come sing along. Hot cocoa and cookies will be provided.

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

2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Love church Christmas hymns? Join us at Pace (700 W. Franklin St.) for hot cocoa, crafts and a hymn sing-along. Bring your favorite to share or just come to sing along.

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

3 p.m.

See examples of strong, successful personal statements, as well as less successful ones, and learn how to write your best statement. Register 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 5 p.m.

The Science Hub will host a series of Study Space Hangouts in the STEM Building, Room 201E, 817 W. Franklin St. Come by to experience a relaxed environment to help you focus and destress as you study for finals alongside your peers. Featuring cozy music and good vibes, you can drop in to stay as little or as long as you like. Bring a snack, headphones or your favorite de-stressing method to use while you study. The hangouts will be held Monday-Thursday on the weeks of Dec. 1 and Dec. 8. For the full schedule and to register to attend, click on https://forms.gle/4MufVAEEqyyriVJq9

For more information, contact Sunauz Moezzi at moezzis@vcu.edu or visit https://clc.vcu.edu/science-hub/.

Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025 from noon to 1 p.m.

VCU's Craft/Material Studies department will host Michelle Millar Fisher, Ph.D., at the theater in the University Student Commons, 907 Floyd Ave. Fisher is the Ronald C. and Anita L. Wornick Curator of Contemporary Decorative Arts at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, and writes about the intersections of people, power and the material world.

For more information, contact Emmy Garcia at garciaem2@vcu.edu or visit https://arts.vcu.edu/event/michelle-fisher-visiting-scholar-lecture/.

Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

VCU Office of Undergraduate Research and The Anderson will present the Arts Undergraduate Research Panel, which will be held at The Anderson, 907 1/2 W. Franklin St. At the panel, arts students will describe their undergraduate research journey to demonstrate the opportunities and possibilities in research. Through sharing their experience, student panelists will help demystify what undergraduate research is all about, what to expect and how to get started.

For more information, contact Nicole Concepcion at concepcionaqn@vcu.edu or visit https://arts.vcu.edu/event/undergraduate-research-panel-the-anderson/.

Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Make a bracelet or keychain at a beads workshop hosted by PennyAppeal in the University Student Commons, Virginia Rooms A and B, 907 Floyd Ave. This is not a service event, just a relaxing way to unwind before exam season.

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

Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025 from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Join VCU's Global Education Office for coffee and croissants to learn more about the opportunity to study women in global politics in Aix-en-Provence with Jessica Trisko-Darden, Ph.D., and the Department of Political Science. This session and the trip are open to all students. The session will be in the STEM Building, Room 503, 817 W. Franklin St.

For more information, contact Jessica Trisko-Darden at triskodardj@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.studioabroad.com/_portal/tds-program-brochure?programid=11756.

Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025 at 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/.

Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025 at noon

Join one of VCU’s approved real estate vendors, Joyner Fine Properties, and VCU HR for a virtual session focused on the home buying and selling process. Learn practical tips to help you navigate today’s real estate market with confidence. Presenters will also share details about the rebate programs available for VCU employees, which offers potential savings when buying or selling a home. Register in Talent@VCU or at: https://bit.ly/3K1kk3Z

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

Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025 at 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.

Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025 from 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.

Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025 from 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. We’ll share the qualities and skills that we are looking for in a successful applicant and leave time for a Q&A session. You’re welcome to come with specific questions about the prompts or your progress on 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.

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 at 6 p.m.

Learn the basics of AI and prompt crafting by developing effective strategies for understanding Large Language Models (LLMs). 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/.

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 at 3:30 p.m.

The Office of Alumni Relations invites you to lend a hand to help package snack kits for families with kids at Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU. In the midst of caring for a child in the hospital, families are overwhelmed, exhausted and often go hours without eating. You can help ease a small but significant burden by donating food items or volunteering your time. The event will be in Shafer Court Dining Center, Rodney’s Room, 810 Cathedral Place. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Jared Kline at klinejc2@vcu.edu or visit https://www.givecampus.com/schools/VirginiaCommonwealthUniversity/events/alumni-care-bites-of-comfort.

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

The VCU Department of Music will host its 38th annual holiday gala in the 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 eill 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 VCU Music at music@vcu.edu or visit https://arts.vcu.edu/event/vcus-38th-annual-holiday-gala/.

Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025 at 10 a.m.

The Dominion Energy Christmas Parade is expected to cause traffic delays and street closures on the Monroe Park Campus from 10 a.m. until the afternoon on Saturday, Dec. 6. Questions: Visit the following URL.

For more information, contact Britt Dixon at dixonbd@vcu.edu or visit https://www.richmondparade.org/.

Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Sample Buh Baw — slow-simmered rice porridge — with toppings, sides and more from the Institute for Contemporary Art's first chef-in-residence, Santana Hem, of the Khmer-inspired culinary project Hem and Her. This is the third in a series of counter-service brunches presented by Hem at the ICA’s Abby Moore Café as part of its inaugural chef residency program. À la Carte Menu: Khmer Comfort includes a main dish, Buh Baw, with your choice of pork and crispy shallots, poached chicken and ginger or fermented soybean and tofu and side dishes of Cha Quai (crispy fried dough sticks) and Pickled Green Mango and Herbs. Dessert will be Pandan Candied Peanut Blondie. Drinks will be hot jasmine tea and palm sugar-sweetened soy milk. The The Institute for Contemporary Art at the Markel Center is located at 601 W. Broad St.

For more information, contact Michael Lease at leasemk@vcu.edu or (804) 200-8859 or visit https://icavcu.org/events/ica-chef-residency-brunch-khmer-comfort/.

Monday, Dec. 8, 2025 at 10 a.m.

When it comes to saving for retirement, two basic options are most common - a retirement plan and an individual retirement account. Join VCU HR and Fidelity to explore the features of both to help you make informed decisions and get answers to your questions. Register in Talent@VCU or at: https://bit.ly/4oT8ubE

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

Monday, Dec. 8, 2025 from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.

VCU's C. Kenneth and Dianne Wright Center for Clinical and Translational Research will host an informational session via Zoom for students interested in its doctoral program in clinical and translational science. The discussion will include the unique aspects of the program and the application process as well as answer questions from potential students. 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://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/ULUb6eC8QDCJVHv4N_bK0w.

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, Jan. 14, 2026 from noon to 1 p.m.

Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center will present a dialogue series encouraging participants to approach developments in AI with both curiosity and critical reflection, centered on the 2025-2026 VCU Common Book, "The Coming Wave: Technology, Power and the 21st Century’s Greatest Dilemma." The virtual series will consist of four sessions in 2026: Jan. 14, Feb. 4, March 14 and April 15. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Sam Burns at burnss3@vcu.edu or visit https://cvent.me/B2BzA1.

Monday, Jan. 26, 2026 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 a highly 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 event 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 Victoria Carter-Johnston at carterjohnsva@vcu.edu or visit https://gehli.vcu.edu/trainings-and-institutes/supervisors-and-managers-bootcamp-smb/.

Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026 from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.

The Institute for Transformative Leadership (ITL) is calling on all VCU and VCU Health faculty and staff to level up their leadership skills by joining the Transformative Leadership Spring 2026 Cohort Program starting Tuesday, Feb. 3 and Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026. This free, seven-week Zoom-based series offers practical leadership principles that can be applicable to your work and personal life. Apply at https://tinyurl.com/ITLSpring26

For more information, contact ITL Team at itl@vcu.edu or visit https://business.vcu.edu/centers-institutes-and-labs/institute-for-transformative-leadership/.

Tuesday, Mar. 10, 2026 at 8 a.m.

VCU Human Resources and the VCU Staff Senate will sponsor the 2026 Career Development Conference during the VCU 2026 spring break. The theme is “Unlocking Potential: Discover, Connect, Grow.” The 2026 Career Development Conference will be offered on two days: Tuesday, March 10, 2026 (virtual via Zoom) and Thursday, March 12, 2026 (in-person at the University Student Commons, 907 Floyd Ave.). If you are interested in participating as a presenter, have suggestions for presenters or keynote speakers, or for more information, visit the following URL. Presenter proposals are due by Wednesday, Dec. 3.

For more information, contact Mikaela Barboza at ssconference@vcu.edu or visit https://staffsenateconference.vcu.edu/.

The You First at VCU First-Generation Student Success and Research Center is recruiting faculty and staff to mentor first-generation college students during the Spring 2026 semester. If interested, please fill out the matching survey (https://forms.gle/SHZsgPrd7PoupgWM9) by Thursday, Dec. 4. Program details are outlined in the survey. A virtual training session will be available in January for new mentors.

For more information, contact Elizabeth Bambacus at bambacuses@vcu.edu or visit https://youfirst.vcu.edu/faculty-and-staff/faculty-and-staff-development/faculty-and-staff-student-mentoring/.

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.

Winter break is a great time to start looking for and applying to 2026 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/.

Faculty and staff who have never held an active membership (excluding Student Import membership) are eligible for a 30-day faculty/staff trial pass. To request a free trial, sign up at the following URL or visit the Cary Street Gym membership office (101 S. Linden St.) during hours of operation.

For more information, contact Mikaela Barboza at recwell@vcu.edu or visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeK0zk5wC3CGbMzKrwPR-5sHwODVsDKHD4kKStQBOI4SzlJYA/viewform.

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/.

Enterprise AI, a thematic initiative within VCU's Enterprise Convergence Labs (Academic Affairs), invites the VCU faculty community to participate in a universitywide inventory of existing research and teaching related to AI development and application. The data collected will be used to plan and scope the Enterprise AI Accelerator Workshop, a daylong forum scheduled for February 2026. Complete the interest form at the following URL.

For more information, contact Tim Luckritz Marquis at tluckritzmarq@vcu.edu or visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdjeGmt6ARplNIyhrUyf-bDuqp9CMrccO1ViVMI9c3uHPTwkg/viewform?usp=header.

The Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation (OVPRI) Division of Research Development is building a directory of research interest groups to make it easier to discover collaborators across the institution. These interest groups do not need to be formalized; if you are part of a research-focused group that meets regularly, OVPRI would like to hear from you. If you want your group to be listed on OVPRI's page, you are kindly requested to submit a brief description of your affinity group or a link to an existing web page where information about the group is currently posted. Submit your information at the following URL.

For more information, contact Melissa Osei Ntiamoah at OVPRIRD@vcu.edu or visit https://forms.gle/CsKqUk6CJETKaey69.

The Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute is offering virtual informational sessions for the 2026 VCU Leadership Development Program. If you are interested in a program and/or have a question, we highly suggest you come to hear from the Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute staff. The 30-minute sessions will highlight learning objectives and program logistics. RSVP at the following URL.

For more information, contact Ron Jones at jonesre22@vcu.edu or visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSefPBrM6APFGQ7W1rswhBCqusfZ-CfWHX-6-t0LZjdYHr_LfQ/viewform?usp=header&urp=gmail_link.

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. Classes will be held Saturday mornings from Feb. 7-28. Register by Feb. 6 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.

The International Day of Persons With Disabilities is an annual observance promoted by the United Nations that takes place on Wednesday, Dec. 3. The day promotes the rights and well-being of people with disabilities in all areas of society and development and raise awareness about the political, economic, social and cultural aspects of disability.

For more information, contact VCU Employee Health at EHS@vcu.edu or visit https://vbpd.virginia.gov/.

Apply now for a new study abroad program led by Social Work faculty: “Korea in Transition: Society, Culture and Emerging Challenges” (In-country: May 26–June 6, 2026). Experience an immersive journey exploring Korean society, culture and emerging social issues through on-site visits, lectures and hands-on learning. Each student receives a $2,000 scholarship to help reduce program costs. Open to all undergraduate students from any majors. Questions? Contact Youngmi Kim at the following email address or Alex Heyden (Global Education Office at levya@vcu.edu) Apply at the following URL.

For more information, contact Youngmi Kim, Ph.D., at ykim@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.studioabroad.com/_portal/tds-program-brochure?programid=11759.

Planning on or considering applying to professional health programs in the next admissions cycle starting in summer 2026? If yes, we recommend participating in App Year or Gap Year (AYGY), a Career Services mock admissions program for eligible students and alumni. Participants will complete a mock application and mock admissions-style interview intended to simulate the admissions process, and then receive feedback from advisers. All information about this program can be found in the App Year or Gap Year module in the Pre-professional Health Hub. To join the PPH Hub, go to the Career Services Healthcare pathway page at the following URL. Participants in AYGY will not receive a committee letter after completing AYGY. VCU does not offer committee letters or letter packet services.

For more information, contact Cody Rogalski at rogalskict@vcu.edu or visit https://careers.vcu.edu/majors-and-careers/career-pathways/health-care/.