1 p.m.

Study abroad in Italy this summer and still make it back for summer classes in Richmond. The College of Health Professions in collaboration with VCU School of the Arts and Department of History will offer a study abroad course entitled “Pathology in Renaissance Art.” Travel to the Italian cities of Florence and Rome to discover representations of pathology in renaissance art while living “la dolce vita,” the sweet life. Explore topics in art, pathology, observation and history relating to the Renaissance period in Italy. The Zoom link for the informational session is https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83881774618

For more information, contact Cherish Parham, Ph.D., RT(R)(M) at cbparham@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.studioabroad.com/_portal/tds-program-brochure?programid=11746.

2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Register for the VCU School of Social Work’s summer study abroad program in South Korea, May 26–June 6 (SLWK 391 and SLWK 770: Korea in Transition, 3 credits). Open to students of all majors, with a $2,000 scholarship available. Students will experience an immersive journey exploring Korean society, culture and emerging social issues through on-site visits, lectures and hands-on learning. Informational sessions will be on Friday, Jan. 29 at 2 p.m. (switched to online), Tuesday, Feb. 3 at 2 p.m. (Academic Learning Commons, Room 3100); Tuesday, Feb. 3 at 7 p.m (online). Learn more and apply: https://vcu.studioabroad.com/_portal/tds-program-brochure?programid=11759. Questions? Contact Youngmi Kim, Ph.D. (Social Work; ykim@vcu.edu) or Alex Heyden (GEO; levya@vcu.edu)

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

5:30 p.m.

Join the School of Business for an informational webinar to explore how the 16-month Master of Decision Analytics Weekend Program can elevate your career. Learn about the interactive curriculum, weekend schedule (that includes in-person and online courses), cohort experience and application process. No registration is required – join via the Zoom link at https://vcu.zoom.us/j/87636200425

For more information, contact Rachel Kaeser at rekaeser@vcu.edu or visit https://business.vcu.edu/prospective-students/graduate/.

Friday, Jan. 30, 2026 from 10 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.

VCU's Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence will host a session via Zoom about captioning and Title II. This session will present a practical guide to VCU’s main captioning tools. The focus will be on scenarios to help participants manage course videos, make smart captioning choices and know when to request professional captioning support from additional VCU resources. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Michele Murray at mmurray2@vcu.edu or visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdZP2Tw5e0wKb1cxr8w-WjCStKzPyLHBZwBQ4qZNV21JqG8Pw/viewform.

Friday, Jan. 30, 2026 from noon to 1 p.m.

Join the Humanities Research Center for a Research Fridays event via Zoom with Jatia Wrighten, Ph.D., Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science at VCU. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Ellie Musgrave at musgraveec@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_z3xF8dCHQhCFGrvAWkRcBw.

Friday, Jan. 30, 2026 from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The Pace Center (700 W. Franklin St.) will host a time to gather in community around the questions, "How did you find out about what happened?" And, "How are you feeling?" If the event is held in-person, light refreshments will be served. If Pace is inaccessible Friday due to icy conditions, the event will be hosted online. Questions? Email the Rev. Russ Kerr at community@thepacecenter.com

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

Friday, Jan. 30, 2026 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

VCU's Institute for Contemporary Art at the Markel Center, 601 W. Broad St., VCU invites all local K–12 educators to a creative evening for educators to connect with peers, enjoy ICA exhibitions and be appreciated for their work. Teachers of all disciplines are welcome. Complimentary snacks and a cash bar will be provided.

For more information, contact Julia Park at parkjs8@vcu.edu or (804) 921-2282 or visit http://www.icavcu.org/.

Friday, Jan. 30, 2026 at 9 p.m.

Cheer for the VCU Men's Basketball team as they play Loyola Chicago at the Stuart C. Siegel Center, 1200 W. Broad St. Secure your seats at the following URL.

For more information, contact Tavian Elliott at elliottt2@vcu.edu or visit https://vcutickets.evenue.net/event/B25/13.

Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026 from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Come to the Health Sciences Library, 509 N. 12th St., for their spring open house. Meet your school’s liaison librarian, check out the library's Makerspace tech, learn about loanable technology and discover the range of material in Special Collections and Archives. Giveaways will be available plus a chance to win an Amazon gift card just by following the Health Sciences Library on Instagram.

For more information, contact Sue Moss at mosssr2@vcu.edu.

Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026 from noon to 1 p.m.

This workshop, hosted by VCU's Graduate School's Office of Professional Development, tackles the crucial skill of visual communication, teaching you how to transform raw research data into clear, persuasive and aesthetically pleasing slides. Learn how to craft slides that not only support your spoken delivery but actively enhance the audience's understanding and retention of your core findings. Register for the Zoom link at the following URL.

For more information, contact Hali Massey at dayberryhj@vcu.edu or visit https://cglink.me/2dV/r1942894.

Friday, Feb. 6, 2026 at 2 p.m.

TEDxVCU will sponsor a guided walk through Hollywood Cemetery led by Amy Tudor, Ph.D., a VCU assistant professor and past TEDx Bloom speaker. The tour will take 45 minutes to an hour and is a short walk from campus. Meet at the James Cabell Library. Follow the TEDxVCU instagram for more information.

For more information, contact TEDxVCU at tedx@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.campusgroups.com/tedxvcu/adventures/.

Friday, Feb. 6, 2026 at 6 p.m.

Join the Radical Alliance for Anti-Racism, Change and Equity for an interactive workshop exploring imposter syndrome and the vital role of intersectionality and interdisciplinary collaboration in fostering culturally grounded and responsive practices. The session will be in Room 3100, Academic Learning Commons (MCALC), 1000 Floyd Ave. Register at https://cglink.me/2dV/r1943609

For more information, contact VCU RAACE at raace@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.campusgroups.com/RAACE/rsvp_boot?id=1943609.

Monday, Feb. 9, 2026 from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.

The Global Education Office has opened a call for proposals for the 2026-27 Global Impact Awards and a call for nominations for the Global Initiatives Leadership Awards. Informational sessions will be held in person and virtually at 912 W. Grace St., Room 3124, on Feb. 9, 3-4 p.m. and Feb. 11, 10-11 a.m. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Nicol Tinsley at nctinsley@vcu.edu or (804) 426-8053 or visit https://global.vcu.edu/outreach/facultydevelopment/global-impact-awards/.

Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026 from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

To support VCU’s culture of care and appreciation, VCU HR has developed training sessions based on the book “5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace” by Gary Chapman and Paul White. Those who attend will learn about the languages of appreciation in the workplace, understand the core concepts of meaningful appreciation and be able to use those skills to build and maintain good working relationships. Enroll at the following URL.

For more information, contact VCU HR Learning, Development, and Organizational Culture at learndev@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.csod.com/samldefault.aspx?returnUrl=%252fDeepLink%252fProcessRedirect.aspx%253fmodule%253dlodetails%2526lo%253d60cd0c5a-816d-4c53-833e-68963d01f171.

Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026 at noon

VCU’s Nicholas E. Johnson, M.D., an associate professor, division chief of neuromuscular and vice chair of research in the Department of Neurology, will speak on "The Intersection Between the Muscular Dystrophies and the Liver." His laboratory focuses on identifying the pathogenesis of myotonic dystrophy, the limb girdle muscular dystrophies and facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy and identifying appropriate clinical endpoints for these conditions. The seminar will be in the James W. and Frances G. McGlothlin Medical Education Center (MMEC), Room 7-101, 1201 E. Marshall St. Register at https://bit.ly/3Mzzi21

For more information, contact Chantay Harris at Chantay.Harris@vcuhealth.org or visit https://liverinstitute.medschool.vcu.edu/.

Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026 from noon to 1 p.m.

In order to manage today’s extremely challenging situations, we need to believe in ourselves to be at our best. This seminar, brought to you by VCU HR and Anthem EAP, will outline why confidence is so important and how to continue feeling strong and empowered. We will have an interactive, engaging conversation that will help you feel more confident both at work and at home. Register in Talent@VCU or at: https://bit.ly/3YMVR6v

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

Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026 at 11 a.m.

Join President Michael Rao, Ph.D., for the State of the University Address in the James Branch Cabell Library, Lecture Hall, Room 303, 901 Park Ave. Doors will open at 10:30 a.m. Seating is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information please visit https://go.vcu.edu/sotu.

For more information, contact University Events at UNIVevents@vcu.edu.

Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026 from noon to 1 p.m.

Interested in community-engaged research and building equitable partnerships? Join the Community Engagement Research Series to examine the role of funders in community-engaged research – from project design to partnership development. The next session, to be held via Zoom, will feature speakers Frannie Noble, Suzannah Stora and Ariana Bracalente. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Challen Wellington at wellingtonc@vcu.edu or visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeBI298g_D1yH9kSCp9dXnwcq1zU54RPx3-xDXiox8421G2iw/viewform?usp=header.

Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026 from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Considering a career in advertising, marketing or branding? Join Brandcenter admissions to learn about the center's application requirements, prerequisites and what to keep in mind when completing the application. Learn the qualities and skills that Brandcenter looks for in a successful applicant. A Q&A session will be included. Participants are welcome to come with specific questions about the application prompts or individual progress on the application. 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/app-workshop-feb-2026?utm_source=TelegRam.

Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026 from noon to 1 p.m.

Interested in a career in advertising, marketing or branding? Learn about the Brandcenter's graduate program where you can earn a master’s, build a professional portfolio and stand out to recruiters. The session will also be joined by current second-year students from every concentration (art direction, copywriting, creative brand management and strategy) who spent last summer interning for teams at such companies as Amazon, Callen, Ammunition and Leo. 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-feb-2026?utm_source=TelegRam.

Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026 at 7 p.m.

VCUarts Theatre will present Anne Washburn’s meditation on the power of storytelling and oral traditions. Set in a world after a mysterious cataclysm has brought about the end of America as we know it, survivors initially gather around a campfire and try to entertain one another by sharing from memory, the story of their favorite "Simpsons" episode. Seven years later a post-apocalyptic acting troupe looks to mount a performance of that very same episode and 75 years later the story and its reenactment have now become a quasi-religious ritual. "Mr. Burns" asks how we might be defined by the very stories we tell. Performances will be Thursday, Feb. 26–Sunday, March 1 at the W.E. Singleton Center for the Performing Arts, 922 Park Ave. Tickets are $20 and are available at: bit.ly/vcutheatretix

For more information, contact Natalie Hale at halene@vcu.edu or visit https://arts.vcu.edu/theatre/mainstage-season/.

Saturday, Mar. 28, 2026 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

In a medical system shrouded by noise, it's time to put people first. The People-Based Medicine Conference will feature speakers with expertise in medicine, philosophy, policy, science and the health humanities and spotlight student researchers. Come for a day of networking, learning and collaborating on how communities can come together to make a change in the health care system. The event will be in the James W. and Frances G. McGlothlin Medical Education Center (MMEC), 1201 E. Marshall St. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Riya Bajpai at bajpair2@vcu.edu or visit https://forms.gle/gfub9VnkKhizj5BJA.

It’s time for faculty to submit Progress Reports for undergraduate students that need a nudge to improve their performance. It’s especially important for faculty to submit reports for students with attendance issues since attendance is strongly related to class grades and GPA. Check your VCU email for instructions on how to submit Progress Reports as well as tips on best practices. Questions: Visit the following URL.

For more information, contact Student Success at success@vcu.edu or visit https://semss.vcu.edu/for-faculty-and-staff/early-notification-programs/.

Dur to icy conditions, today's general body meeting of Bioethics 4 Students has been canceled.

For more information, contact Riya Bajpai at bajpair2@vcu.edu or (571) 206-7262.

The American Red Cross Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED course is open for VCU students and RecWell members looking to learn how to recognize and care for a variety of first aid, breathing and cardiac emergencies. Earn a certificate that satisfies OSHA requirements for workplace First Aid/CPR/AED training in non-health care settings. February class dates are Wednesday, Feb. 11; Wednesday, Feb. 19; and Saturday, Feb. 21. See registration deadlines at the following URL.

For more information, contact Mat Scott at aquatics@vcu.edu or visit https://portal.recwell.vcu.edu/Program/GetProgramDetails?courseId=157236e4-f012-4926-b19a-80ba87072981.

VCU has a career fair coming up on Wednesday, Feb. 4. Learn more about how to register, questions to ask employers, or update your résumé. Stop by the VCU Career Services Office in the University Student Commons, Room 143, 907 Floyd Ave. During drop-in hours. A Peer Career Adviser will be available to answer questions (no appointment needed) weekly Tuesday-Friday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

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

This is an open call for all faculty/staff/students interested in reading for the VCU Cabell First Novelist Award. The award honors a debut novel written during the preceding calendar year. Your help is needed to read and review submissions. Get your hands on new and exciting work and contribute your voice to the judging process. Reviews are submitted via Google Survey. The final deadline for submitting reviews is Sunday, March 15. Questions: Email cabellfn@vcu.edu

For more information, contact Hana Rehman at cabellfn@vcu.edu or visit https://firstnovelist.vcu.edu/.

Black Queer Grits will host an art exhibition to highlight the impact of arts-based methods for reflection, self-expression and collective healing. The exhibition will open Friday, March 27 and run through Friday, April 17 with a reception on Friday, April 3. The organization seeks artists who identify as Southern Black Queer femmes to submit works connecting to themes such as (but not limited to): familial relationships, spirituality/religiosity, gender expansion, intimacy, resistance and joy. A maximum f three works may be submitted until Wednesday, Feb. 11 at the following URL.

For more information, contact Chandler Golden at goldenc2@vcu.edu or visit https://bit.ly/4q1MBXr.

Ever wondered why the Mediterranean diet is one of the healthiest in the world? This summer, you can experience it firsthand – in Italy. This study abroad course will focus on how food, culture and science come together to promote health and longevity. You’ll have the opportunity to visit local farms, olive groves, markets and/or wineries while learning how traditional Italian food practices sustain healthy living. Eat, explore and learn your way through Italy while earning academic credit and lifelong memories. The application deadline is Sunday, Feb. 15.

For more information, contact Jill Reid at jdreid@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.mediaspace.kaltura.com/media/Study+Abroad+-+Sorrento+Italy+Summer+2025/1_bifdml9w.

If you serve on a board, association or community work group, the Division of Community Engagement invites faculty and staff to share your board service and leadership roles in Collaboratory, VCU’s partnership database. These contributions reflect the university's commitment to community leadership and equitable partnerships. By documenting individual involvement in Collaboratory, you help showcase the full scope of VCU’s collaborations and collective impact. Complete the form at the following URL.

For more information, contact Tani Washington at washingtot8@vcu.edu or visit https://forms.gle/qqBpDfF8rMGQUYFx7.

The Protection of Minors Office, part of VCU Equity and Access Services, has launched a new monthly newsletter to provide updates and resources for youth program managers and staff. Read the inaugural newsletter at the following URL.

For more information, contact Protection of Minors Office at youth@vcu.edu or visit https://equity.vcu.edu/protection-of-minors/newsletters/.

Instructed by SOLO School of Wilderness Medicine, Wilderness First Aid is a two-day course covering emergency medical care in remote or disaster settings. Learn patient assessment, musculoskeletal injuries, soft tissue injuries, medical emergencies and environmental emergencies. This course is geared for those who travel into the back country and want to be prepared for an emergency. A blended learning American Red Cross Adult/Child CPR course is an add-on for this course for an additional $65 (payable at time of registration). Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Christina Spohn at outdoors@vcu.edu or visit https://portal.recwell.vcu.edu/program/GetProgramDetails?courseId=71afb779-deb8-425a-b707-c71d32242fa4.

This program is open to beginner, intermediate and advanced athletes who want to become more competitive within a specific sport. Open to VCU students and RecWell members. Class will be held M/W 7:30-8:30 a.m. at Cary Street Gym, 101 S. Linden St.

For more information, contact Abbas Sherazi at fitness@vcu.edu or visit https://portal.recwell.vcu.edu/Program/GetProgramDetails?courseId=e6b088c9-f2e7-4f16-b82e-3984e7870ffb.

Clinical Trials Access Initiative is recruiting new board members for the upcoming term. Motivated students are needed to serve as co-chairs for Special Programs, Fundraising and Outreach. This is a leadership role with impact in clinical trial access and community engagement. Apply by Sunday, Feb. 1 at the following URL.

For more information, contact CTAI at VCU at ctaiatvcu@gmail.com or visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfTKABQGDU1YnHB8p4Fkzo0WCyrq1u4RicS3MIYS9JIntdO1Q/viewform.

Check out Redefining BMI – a research study designed specifically for 18-to-25 year-old women with overweight/obesity who want to create a healthier lifestyle. Visit the following URL to learn more and take a quick survey to learn if you may be eligible for this VCU study.

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