1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Join the Title IX team on the lawn side of the Compass during this Weeks of Welcome event to play a ring toss game and learn more about the office and policies, identify red flags in relationships and practice affirmative consent in real time. Bailey the therapy dog will be present and will give participants a real time opportunity to practice asking and receiving affirmative consent through clear words and actions.

For more information, contact Dana King at Titleix@vcu.edu or (804) 828-1347 or visit https://equity.vcu.edu/title-ix/.

10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Take a stroll through the Farmers Market in the plaza of the University Student Commons. Shop for fresh produce or handmade items.

For more information, contact Carole Dowell at dowellc2@vcu.edu.

12 p.m. to 1 p.m.

Do you receive a Pell grant? Have you thought about studying or interning abroad? Join VCU Global Learning for the bi-annual Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship Writing Workshop. This workshop will cover award eligibility (this award is for Pell Grant recipients only), application requirements, essay tips and tricks and study abroad options at VCU. This workshop is designed to help maximize your chances of receiving this nationally competitive scholarship. The Zoom link is https://vcu.zoom.us/j/83404195719

For more information, contact Alex Heyden at levya@vcu.edu or (804) 828-5794 or visit https://cglink.me/2dV/r1945903.

3 p.m.

Learn to build your writing confidence by identifying and overcoming the impostor phenomenon. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Trey Burnart Hall at hallbr@vcu.edu or visit https://writing.vcu.edu/calendar/.

6 p.m.

In this virtual informational session and workshop, we will discuss the services provided by the VCU Writing Center and help you build confidence in your writing by breaking down the process into manageable chunks. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Trey Burnart Hall at hallbr@vcu.edu or visit https://writing.vcu.edu/calendar/.

Thursday, Sep. 3, 2026 from 11 a.m. to noon

This workshop will provide and overview of Canvas settings and the various components to create content for your class. Register at training.vcu.edu (keyword search: Canvas). Login to workshop with vcu eID and password.

For more information, contact Jon Reed at reedjj@vcu.edu.

Thursday, Sep. 3, 2026 from 11 a.m. to noon

This informational session is aimed at undergraduate students interested in a career in public service. The session will cover awards including: Public Policy and International Affairs Program (PPIA), Truman Scholarship, Obama Voyager Scholarship, Hunger Fellowships, Harvard Public Policy Leadership Conference, Humanity in Action scholarship and Boren Awards. The session will be available via Zoom or at 701 W. Grace St. Register at the following UR:

For more information, contact Jeff Wing at jawing@vcu.edu or visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdk845dw-F2J1e7GQpZ7eKy5HOIB2wtl7OAoT4l4o7I8ga9Cw/viewform.

Thursday, Sep. 3, 2026 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Welcome new students to the VCU community at the Sankofa Pinning Ceremony, a cultural celebration and rite of passage honoring those who paved the way as well as the next generation. This free event will take place at Grace E. Harris Hall Auditorium, 1015 Floyd Ave. While this event honors the Black alumni experience, all VCU alums, students, friends and families are welcome to join in the festivities. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Robert Chisley, Affinity Engagement and Philanthropy at chisleyrl@vcu.edu or visit https://give.vcu.edu/events/sankofa-pinning-ceremony/?a=13678726.

Thursday, Sep. 3, 2026 from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Join Rams in Recovery for the first of three recovery speakers of the semester. Hear from a student and alumni speaker on their experiences in recovery. The session will be in the Academic Learning Commons (MCALC), Room 1201, 1000 Floyd Ave.

For more information, contact Tom Bannard at bannardtn@vcu.edu.

Friday, Sep. 4, 2026 from 10 a.m. to noon

Join LEDstudio for DesignPLUS Essentials, an interactive Zoom workshop that will help you bring your Canvas courses to life. DesignPlus is a Canvas plug-in available to all VCU faculty. Follow along with live demonstrations, practice new skills in real time, and discover how to use DesignPLUS to create polished, engaging course pages. A recording will be shared with registered participants after the workshop. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Cairo Jones at jonesc34@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.zoom.us/meeting/register/XJTxp86JR7OKMS0aRpojPg.

Wednesday, Sep. 9, 2026 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Register for LEDstudio, Academic Technologies, and the Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence's Teaching with Technology at VCU: An Interactive Exchange and Expo in the Cabell Library, Room 303. Join faculty and university partners for a hands-on event exploring teaching, course design, instructional technology, and student engagement. Bring your laptop and an assignment, activity, or course element you'd like to rethink or redesign, and leave with practical ideas you can apply to your teaching. We'd love to see you there. Please RSVP using the form.

For more information, contact Cairo Jones at jonesc34@vcu.edu or visit https://forms.gle/M46oEs1JWXeEPBa17.

Wednesday, Sep. 9, 2026 at 10 a.m.

Join the Humanities Research Center for a Humanities Week event: a guided tour of the Shockoe Institute, 1500 E. Main St., led by HRC Community Fellow Gregg Kimball. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Ellie Musgrave at musgraveec@vcu.edu or (301) 213-8664 or visit https://humanitiescenter.vcu.edu/events/humanities-week/guided-tour-of-the-shockoe-institute.html.

Wednesday, Sep. 9, 2026 from noon to 1 p.m.

VCU's C. Kenneth and Dianne Wright Center for Clinical and Translational Research and the Health Sciences Library will present their first lunch research seminar via Zoom with research data librarians Nina Exner, Ph.D., and Katharine Miller. NIH-funded articles must now be deposited in PMC without delay, making journal selection more important than ever. Join the session to learn the differences between public access and open access, understand the growing importance of author agreements and explore how library publisher agreements can help. Questions: Visit 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/RXwjJE61SWKfqBQ5SN5dhw.

Wednesday, Sep. 9, 2026 at 5 p.m.

Join the Humanities Research Center and VCU School of the Arts for a screening of "Mary Oliver: Saved by the Beauty of the World," including a Q&A with director Sasha Waters, as part of Humanities Week. The screening will be at Grace Street Theater, 314 W. Grace St. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Ellie Musgrave at musgraveec@vcu.edu or (301) 213-8664 or visit https://humanitiescenter.vcu.edu/events/humanities-week/mary-oliver-saved-by-the-beauty-of-the-world.html.

Wednesday, Sep. 9, 2026 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Come learn about the benefits and logistics of participating in this research dissemination event. RSVP at the following URL.

For more information, contact Dr. Erin Brown at gradprofdev@vcu.edu or visit https://cglink.me/2dV/r1945973.

Thursday, Sep. 10, 2026 at noon

Approaching AI in Community Engaged Research: What happens when AI meets real-world community-engaged research? Join VCU’s next Community Engaged Research Series session to explore how education research-practice partnerships are navigating AI’s risks, benefits and possibilities. Register for the Zoom link at the following URL.

For more information, contact Challen Wellington at wellingtonc@vcu.edu or visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeA1Yi5WWl0cDwH4AwpQbEDdYAV8PIBY8rYNeW_wLN_v2x7jw/viewform?usp=header.

Thursday, Sep. 10, 2026 at noon

Learn the components and how to build, manage and maintain a great credit score in this informative session brought to you by VCU HR and Virginia Credit Union (VACU). Register in Talent@VCU or at: https://bit.ly/3SsajBl

For more information, contact Cindi Phares at cphares@vcu.edu or visit https://ramstrong.vcu.edu/.

Tuesday, Sep. 15, 2026 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

WIth the April 2027 digital accessibility compliance deadline fast approaching, this virtual training sponsored by Equity and Access Services (EAS) provides VCU faculty, staff and administrators with a practical, comprehensive introduction to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title II Subpart H. Register at https://vcu.zoom.us/meeting/register/ezGGURLtSZKEKx6lXa8rRw

For more information, contact Katy Washington, Chief Accessibility Officer and ADA/Section 504 Coordinator at washingtonk8@vcu.edu.

Tuesday, Sep. 15, 2026 from noon to 1 p.m.

In this interactive LEDstudio Workshop, discover how custom AI assistants can streamline academic work. Faculty will use Gemini Gems to create personalized AI tools for teaching, research and everyday tasks. Explore strategies for generating course materials, summarizing research, drafting communications, organizing projects and improving workflows. Leave with practical ideas and a starter Gem to integrate AI into your academic practice. Register for the Zoom link at the following URL.

For more information, contact Cairo Jones at jonesc34@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.zoom.us/meeting/register/4x9e8mEhTueXjiUgmSlVtg#/registration.

Tuesday, Sep. 15, 2026 at noon

This is a slower 30-minute practice focused on active stretching of muscles and opening of connective tissue. Release built-up tension, prevent injury, increase blood flow to muscles and increase long-term flexibility. This class, brought to you by VCU HR and RecWell, will leave you feeling refreshed and relaxed as you head into the summer. No equipment requirements though a yoga mat is recommended. Register in Talent@VCU or at: https://bit.ly/4wTp91T

For more information, contact Cindi Phares at cphares@vcu.edu or visit https://ramstrong.vcu.edu/.

Tuesday, Sep. 15, 2026 at 12:30 p.m.

Want to make research data more accessible and meaningful to the community? Learn about VCU’s Data Dissemination Grant, which supports creative, community-co-created approaches to sharing research data and findings with communities. Register for the Zoom link at the following URL.

For more information, contact Challen Wellington at wellingtonc@vcu.edu or visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdu9cnVOECrf7J5VcyYjh-pDzQ6WBEWbCZkGe-Mt6GdWfYdqg/viewform?usp=header.

Wednesday, Sep. 30, 2026 from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Volunteer for a large multijurisdictional full-scale training exercise aimed at improving the university's response to a large impact incident on the VCU campus. This exercise is beneficial for students, faculty or staff interested in homeland security and emergency preparedness, or who would like to contribute directly to improving the overall safety of the VCU community. Participants must be a minimum of 18 years old, wear clothing you don't mind getting dirty with simulated makeup and be willing to be transported via ambulance to medical centers in the downtown area for simulated triage. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Matthew Majid at MajidM@vcu.edu or (804) 837-2999 or visit https://veoci.com/v/p/form/ezm2jxm2gfu3.

Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2026 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

VCU Career Services will host its next VCU Career Champions training session on the Monroe Park Campus. The purpose of this program is to give faculty and staff tools, theories and resources to draw upon when supporting students through their career development. Everyone who participates will be recognized as a VCU Career Champion and will receive a certification sticker, digital badge and icon for email signature. Space will be limited to 40 participants. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Samara Reynolds at sreynolds4@vcu.edu or visit https://forms.gle/zeCG2Qo7SJPzKGtw5.

Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026 from 9 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.

Join the VCU School of Education (1015 W. Main St.), Virginia's Training and Technical Assistance Center (T/TAC) and the Virginia Branch of the International Dyslexia Association for a day of in-person learning, networking and professional development at the Dyslexia Symposium. The keynote will be Structured Multiliteracy: The Bridge to Equity featuring Elsa Cárdenas-Hagan, Ed.D., president of Valley Speech Language and Learning Center, Brownsville, Texas. Event highlights will include keynote and breakout sessions, opportunities to network with educators, students, advocates and professionals, vendor tables and an opportunity to learn strategies to better support students with dyslexia. The event will be funded by the Ruth Harris Professorship. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Hannah Binsley at Ruthharris@vcu.edu or visit http://Bit.ly/DyslexiaVCU.

This online course developed by VCU's Department of Philosophy via Continuing and Professional Education (CPE) will return Tuesday, Sept. 8-Tuesday, Oct. 13. Prepare to tackle the challenges of AI within the modern workplace by exploring essential ethical considerations and challenges in privacy, accountability, transparency and fairness. VCU alumni, staff and faculty discounts are available. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Laura Wilson at wilsonl14@vcu.edu or visit https://www.continuingstudies.vcu.edu/CourseStatus.awp3?&course=27-LW-004.

LEDstudio and Technology Services support faculty through the Digital Accessibility website, where you'll find guidance, best practices, and resources for creating accessible course materials. The site also includes information about accessibility tools available at VCU, including TidyUP and UDOIT in Canvas. Learn more at the link below.

For more information, contact Patty Hendricks at hendricksp@vcu.edu or visit https://digitalaccessibility.vcu.edu/.

VCU's Global Education Office is recruiting faculty and staff, families, households, single individuals, roommates and retirees from the community to participate in its Family Cultural Exchange program this fall. Volunteers are vetted and matched with VCU international students for monthly gatherings. This is an enriching, mutually-beneficial opportunity to welcome the university's international students to Richmond and create meaningful cultural exchange. If you or someone you know is interested in participating, complete this form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSccN4OF7RvS3lljtowfIHANNV3A4sAgUE5KcXV41yhOsq9DqQ/viewform

For more information, contact Julianna Hill at hilljk5@vcu.edu or (804) 827-7882 or visit https://global.vcu.edu/students/community/fface/.

VCU faculty and research staff are invited to join an in-person community of scholars focused on strengthening community-engaged research through peer exchange, shared learning and connections to funding pathways and institutional support. Questions: Visit https://community.vcu.edu/community/cersc/ Apply by Monday, Sept. 14 at the following URL.

For more information, contact Mitsuko Cedras at cedrasmd@vcu.edu or visit https://forms.gle/9dCpFqCnE9bCBrNv7.

TREAT HF is a study of heart health among survivors of cancer who were diagnosed with cancer before the age of 40. The goal of the study is to understand which FDA-approved medications that treat heart dysfunction will be most effective in cancer survivors who are experiencing heart health issues. You are eligible for this study if you were diagnosed with cancer before age 40, received anthracycline chemotherapy, and displayed abnormal results on heart health tests. Study visits and medications are provided at no cost to you or your insurance. Participants will be compensated for their time with a $150 gift card for each cardiac MRI visit and an additional $25 gift card at study closing interview. This study will be conducted downtown at the VCU North Hospital. Principal Investigator: Wendy Bottinor, M.D.

For more information, contact Jimmy Jankowski at mcccardioonc@vcu.edu or (804) 827-0425.

Interested in exploring new approaches to teaching and learning with colleagues from across VCU? Applications for the Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence (CTLE) 2026–27 Faculty Learning Communities are open from Friday, Aug. 21 through Friday, Sept. 4. FLCs provide faculty with an opportunity to engage in sustained exploration, discussion and collaboration around a shared teaching and learning topic. Apply at the following URL. Questions: Contact Ashley Hahn Akkaya at akkayaa@vcu.edu.

For more information, contact Tiffany Freitas at freitast@vcu.edu or visit https://faculty.provost.vcu.edu/faculty-resources/faculty-learning-communities/.

Join the TEDxVCU planning team and help share ideas. More information about each position and the application can be found here: Team Lead Application (https://forms.gle/6eUqcynY7ta1QhEW8) by Tuesday, Sept. 8 and Planning Team Application (https://forms.gle/R5UiPTeuuoyyTP2X9) by Tuesday, Sept. 15.

For more information, contact TEDxVCU at tedx@vcu.edu.

Are you ready to reimagine how students learn and thrive in your classroom? Join a community of passionate educators exploring innovative, hands-on-strategies that spark curiosity and deepen engagement across disciplines and beyond traditional boundaries. Service-Learning at VCU invites faculty from all disciplines to apply to participate in 2026-2027 Faculty Learning Community focused on “Reimagining the Classroom With Service-Learning” Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Antonio Harris at harrisad6@vcu.edu or visit https://forms.gle/2WV4fpnvESoYadwq5.

This study is seeking individuals between the ages of 18 and 35 years who have GAD or symptoms of GAD. The purpose of this research study is to examine the effect of cold water immersion on GAD symptoms with specific focus on blood vessel function. This study will be conducted at 500 Academic Centre on VCU’s Monroe Park Campus. Principle Investigator: Ryan Garten, Ph.D., Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences.

For more information, contact Ryan Garten at rsgarten@vcu.edu.

The Virginia State Police will hold a brief training session on VCU’s Monroe Park campus on Thursday, Sept. 3. The training will take place between 4:30 a.m. and 6 a.m. in the 900 block of West Grace Street. Community members may see an increased law enforcement presence at these locations during this time period. Signage will be posted and VCU Police personnel will be on site throughout the duration of the exercise.

For more information, contact Jake Burns at burnsjh2@vcu.edu or (804) 263-4977.

The annual MCV Campus Block Party will take place Wednesday, Sept. 2, closing the Larrick Stop for RamRide and RamsXpress from the evening of Tuesday, Sept. 1 (10 p.m.) to Sept. 2 (6 p.m.). The Eighth Street Deck and N Deck subscribers planning to use the Interior Route service will meet the bus at the old stop in front of the customer service office on Eighth Street. The Larrick Stop will be relocated to the southwest corner of Ninth and Leigh sreets for RamsXpress riders. Signage will be displayed directing subscribers to their respective temporary stop.

For more information, contact VCU Parking at parking@vcu.edu.

The public comment period for the new policy on Course Evaluations has been extended until Friday. Sept. 11. To review the policy please follow this link: https://vcu.public.doctract.com/doctract/documentportal/08DEFD2E8588A1179EF9FEC4D1AE6E4E To submit your comments please follow this link: https://vcuportal.questionpro.com/Course-evaluation

For more information, contact Sarah LaMorey at lamoreysj@vcu.edu.

The Department of Neurology offers neuroultrasound courses with transcranial Doppler and carotid ultrasound applications in various settings. Build confidence in interpreting point-of-care ultrasound through this interactive, case-based master class. Participants will work through real-world critical care scenarios to learn how to evaluate image quality, identify clinically significant findings, distinguish artifact from pathology and integrate ultrasound results into bedside decision-making. No Continuing Medical Education (CME) credit will be offered for this course. Format: Live virtual course. Questions: Visit https://neurology.vcu.edu/education/cpe/ Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Briana Garnett at briana.garnette@vcuhealth.org or visit https://payit.vcu.edu/C20245_ustores/web/store_cat.jsp?STOREID=22&CATID=35.

This study is seeking individuals between the ages of 18 and 55 years who have PTSD or symptoms of PTSD. The purpose of this research study is to examine the effect of heat therapy (infrared sauna) on PTSD symptoms with specific focus on blood vessel function. This study will be conducted at 500 Academic Centre on VCU’s Monroe Park Campus. Principle Investigator: Ryan Garten, Ph.D., Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences.

For more information, contact Ryan Garten at rsgarten@vcu.edu.