Thursday, Jul. 23, 2026 from noon to 12:30 p.m.

Take a break from the noise to find a quiet reflection in the middle of your day with guided meditation. This session, brought to you by VCU HR and RecWell, is suitable for all levels of practice. Register in Talent@VCU or at: https://tinyurl.com/57nhd64z

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

Thursday, Jul. 30, 2026 from 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Join VCU HR and TIAA and explore how emotions and habits shape money choices—and how to align them with your goals. Register for the cirtual session in Talent@VCU or at: https://bit.ly/4aF533h

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

Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026 at 6 p.m.

Are you ready to begin a career in the legal field? The university's Continuing and Professional Education online Paralegal Certificate Program focuses on the practical knowledge needed to succeed in the legal workplace and is taught by practicing attorneys. The CPE program runs from Wednesday, Aug. 5 to Feb. 8, 2027. VCU alumni, staff and faculty discounts are available.

For more information, contact Laura Wilson at wilsonl14@vcu.edu or visit https://www.continuingstudies.vcu.edu/CourseStatus.awp3?&course=27-LW-005.

Monday, Aug. 10, 2026 from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

VCU's Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence (CTLE) invites faculty to a virtual session about Canvas. This session will focus on setting up your course shell, organizing content for clarity and flow, reviewing communication tools and creating a site that helps students easily navigate your materials from day one. We’ll also highlight how intentional site design can support a smoother, more manageable teaching experience throughout the semester. Register at the following URL. Questions: Contact Rhonda Snead (sneadrm@vcu.edu).

For more information, contact Tiffany Freitas at freitast@vcu.edu or visit https://www.google.com/url?q=https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeARjO26ucrhMF1CW5nQT6_33QRyAyUy7Hz8ocj06NAdaGh-A/viewform&sa=D&source=calendar&ust=1783434058897118&usg=AOvVaw2S9FBKb5sHOQJPYleljOBz.

Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026 from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

VCU's Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence (CTLE) invites faculty to a virtual session designed for new and adjunct faculty. (Although all faculty members are welcome.) Prepare yourself to effectively manage crucial timeline milestones throughout the semester with an overview of important details that can help your course go more smoothly. We’ll cover key considerations for the pre-, early-, mid- and end-of-the-semester phases. Register at the following URL. Questions: Contact Rhonda Snead (sneadrm@vcu.edu).

For more information, contact Tiffany Freitas at freitast@vcu.edu or visit https://forms.gle/LpjBw62T1UTCkAF67.

Friday, Aug. 28, 2026 from 10 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.

VCU's Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence (CTLE) invites faculty to a virtual session about Gemini Gems – customizable versions of Gemini that can be tailored to serve as specialized assistants. The session will move beyond basic prompting to learn how to create a Gem that acts as a personalized tutor, debate partner or rubric wizard for your students. You'll explore practical strategies for designing Gems and integrating them into your course. Register at the following URL. Questions: Contact Rhonda Snead (sneadrm@vcu.edu).

For more information, contact Tiffany Freitas at freitast@vcu.edu or visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScxOT12Locd5j52OQ0TGAcIqCRfk1fXFE9QBl_gJOSpvoIoaQ/viewform?usp=header.

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

Save the date for LEDstudio and Academic Technologies' 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. Help us plan by completing the brief interest survey below.

For more information, contact Cairo Jones at jonesc34@vcu.edu or visit https://forms.gle/i8NNyUHsguRjFnmc7.

Did you know Employee Health offers wellness screenings at its Monroe Park location (800 W. Broad St.)? You can review wellness concerns with a nurse, have your cholesterol and blood sugar checked (optional) and get a customized list of resources that will help you reach your wellness goals. Schedule your appointment up to two months in advance go.vcu.edu/employeewellness.

For more information, contact VCU Employee Health at EHS@vcu.edu or (804) 628-2594 or visit https://healthsafety.vcu.edu/employee-health/.

UV Safety Awareness Month reminds us to protect our skin and eyes every day by using broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, reapplying every two hours, after swimming or sweating and wearing 100 percent UV blocking sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat. Limiting direct sun exposure, especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., helps reduce the risk of skin cancer, premature aging, and cataracts while still enjoying summer outdoors. Visit the following links for more suggestions: http://go.vcu.edu/employeewellness, https://app.timelycare.com/auth/login and https://www.aad.org/member/advocacy/promote/uv-awareness

For more information, contact Employee Health at ehs@vcu.edu.

The Translational Research on Eating and Affect (TREAT) Lab is recruiting adolescent girls and young adult women (aged 12 to 25 years) for a brain imaging study to understand risky decision-making in individuals who have concerns about their body shape/weight, or overeat, purge, use laxatives, diet severely or exercise excessively. We are also investigating these processes in individuals without a psychological disorder. There will be compensation for participation. For more information, contact the TREAT Lab at treatlab@vcuhealth.org or 804-827-4174, or follow this link: https://redcap.vcu.edu/surveys/?s=48YEAYT8MK33E8EJ.

For more information, contact TREAT Lab (or Kelsey Hagan, Ph.D., PI) at treatlab@vcuhealth.org or (804) 827-4174 or visit https://redcap.vcu.edu/surveys/?s=48YEAYT8MK33E8EJ.

The Research in Athlete and Military Health Sciences (RAMHS) group is seeking participants ages 14-30 years to complete a research study assessing hip muscle function following ankle sprains. You may participate if you either have a first-time lateral ankle sprain or have no ankle sprain history and are healthy (control group). This study will require one in-person study visit at our research laboratory at Biotech Eight (737 N. Fifth St.), an electronic questionnaire about your health and sport participation, ultrasound imaging assessments of your hip at rest (lying down) and during light activity (squatting, treadmill walking) and hip muscle strength assessments. Participants with ankle sprains will also be asked to complete remote, electronic surveys at three and six months after the in-person visit. Questions: Contact Crystal Figueroa.

For more information, contact Crystal Figueroa at crystal.figueroa@vcuhealth.org or (804) 827-0871.