Student Issue for June 1, 2026
Today
From 'Nature's God' to 'Divine Providence': Faith and the Founding of the United States
4 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Ryan K. Smith, Ph.D., explores the role of religious faith in the founding of the United States and what the revolutionaries meant by terms such as "Nature's God" and "Divine Providence." The webinar via Zoom considers the diversity of religious groups in the colonies, the beliefs of key founders and the documents that shaped both religious freedom and national identity. Smith is a professor in the Department of History in the College of Humanities and Sciences and specializes in American religious history. Register at: https://bit.ly/4txMOE3
For more information, contact Marcus Messner at mmessner@vcu.edu or visit https://chs.vcu.edu/events/america-at-250/.
This week
Financial Coaching at the VCU Health Hub
Tuesday, Jun. 2, 2026 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Are you in need of assistance with your finances? Are you trying to figure out how to stretch a dollar? Make an appointment with the VCU Health Hub's financial coaching team. They will be at the Health Hub, 1330 N. 25th St., Suite A, the first Tuesday of each month.
For more information, contact VCU Health Hub at vcuhealthhub@vcu.edu.
VCU Writing Center Workshop: Professional Communication
Tuesday, Jun. 2, 2026 at 10 a.m.
Professional communication is an integral part of our lives as students and staff. In this interactive Zoom workshop, we will give you the tools necessary to professionally communicate in a positive, skillful and confident manner. Register at the following URL.
For more information, contact Jess Rogers at rogersjp2@vcu.edu or visit https://writing.vcu.edu/calendar/.
VCU Writing Center Workshop: AI Prompt Crafting
Tuesday, Jun. 2, 2026 at 6 p.m.
Join the VCU Writing Center online via Zoom to learn the basics of AI and prompt crafting by developing effective strategies for understanding Large Language Models (LLMs). Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of the correct time to use LLMs and what makes an effective prompt. Register at the following URL.
For more information, contact Jess Rogers at rogersjp2@vcu.edu or visit https://writing.vcu.edu/calendar/.
American Association for University Professors End-of-the-Semester Get-Together
Wednesday, Jun. 3, 2026 at 5 p.m.
Join the American Association of University Professors at Brambley Park, 1708 Belleville St., for the group's end-of-semester faculty gathering to celebrate the close of a challenging and eventful academic year. Faculty have navigated significant demands and changes this semester, making it more important than ever to strengthen the collective organization and prepare proactively for the challenges facing faculty and students in the year ahead. Come enjoy a beverage, connect with colleagues and take part in a conversation about how the AAUP can better support members – and to help support fellow faculty members.
For more information, contact Everett E. Carpenter at ecarpenter2@vcu.edu or (804) 723-1005 or visit https://www.aaup.org/.
Coming up
Understanding Mindset Architecture and How You Think, Respond and Show Up
Wednesday, Jun. 10, 2026 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
The Mary and Frances Youth Center, 120 S. Linden St., will host a deep dive into the six dimensions that shape how you think, respond and show up in your community. Explore how mindfulness can strengthen your awareness and help you take intentional control of your mindset. The session will be facilitated by Singith Perera. Register at the following URL.
For more information, contact Vaughn Garland at garlandvw@vcu.edu or visit https://tockify.com/vcumfyc/detail/178/1781110800000.
Central VA SOCRA Chapter Meeting – Community Engagement: The Key to Effective Recruitment and Retention of African American/Black and Latino Individuals to Research Studies
Wednesday, Jun. 17, 2026 from 11 a.m. to noon
The Central Virginia Society of Clinical Research Associates Chapter (SOCRA) and the C. Kenneth and Dianne Wright Center for Clinical and Translational Research will host a virtual meeting. Join Arnethea Sutton, Ph.D., as she explores community engagement as a key strategy for recruiting and retaining Black/African American and Latino individuals in research studies. Topics include U.S. race and ethnicity definitions, evidence-based recruitment methods and creative approaches to retention and community trust-building. CE will be provided to SOCRA members. All are welcome. Registration is required. Register at the following URL.
For more information, contact Shirley Helm at cctrsocra@vcu.edu or (804) 241-7340 or visit https://vcu.zoom.us/meeting/register/VSHG_eV5SxKd9KKrOVzHDw.
Notices
VCU Generative AI Sentiment and Skills Survey
VCU’s Technology Services and Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence are conducting a survey to better understand sentiments and skills surrounding the use of Generative AI tools. This survey takes approximately 10 minutes to complete and is open to all VCU faculty, staff and students who are 18 years of age or older. The results will be used to inform training and tool adoption. Results will be shared in aggregate. Questions: Contact emergingtech@vcu.edu with any questions. See the survey at the following URL.
For more information, contact Peyton Burgess, Ph.D., at emergingtech@vcu.edu or visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd4nQJ64T2q2zxEGM1xxEA_Y0tXM2w_eW9sJxHSAiBxR0VGKg/viewform?usp=header.
VCU Libraries' Special Collections and Archives Closing Temporarily June 1
VCU Libraries’ Special Collections and Archives at the James Branch Cabell Library and at the Health Sciences Library will close temporarily on Monday, June 1, 2026. It is expected that access to the physical area and onsite print materials will be unavailable until 2028, when newly constructed expanded space will open on Cabell Library’s fourth floor. During the closure, Special Collections and Archives employees will be focused on projects tied to construction deadlines.
For more information, contact Sue Robinson at srobinson26@vcu.edu or visit https://www.library.vcu.edu/about/news/current/sca-closed-june-1-2026.html.
PSYC 494 Research Opportunity for VCU's Injury and Violence Prevention Research and Evaluation Core
VCU’s Injury and Violence Prevention Research and Evaluation Core in the Department of Surgery invites students to be part of the research assistant team. Nicholas Thomson, Ph.D., has an internship opportunity in which research assistants will be able to shadow researchers, assist with collecting data, learn how to enter and clean data and attend lab meetings. It is hoped that the intern will commit to doing one year in the position because of the extensive training provided. Interns will need to devote 10 hours a week to the lab. It is possible to volunteer for the course without getting credit. The intern will work with Thomson's research team to learn more about research involving topics such as psychopathy, serious mental illness and crime, violence prevention and intervention and youth risky behavior intervention/prevention. Application criteria include the completion of PSYC 214. Apply at the following URL.
For more information, contact Isabella Schneck at isabella.schneck@vcuhealth.org or (804) 628-3112 or visit https://forms.gle/bW1o9G3CiEkg2VAn8.
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.
RamsConnect events
View all of the student events happening on campus and register for events that interest you.