Student Issue for November 3, 2026
Today
VCU Dine’s Midnight Breakfast and Other Events
11 a.m.
VCU Dine will host a Midnight Breakfast this month, along with a full lineup of themed events at Shafer Court Dining Center, 810 Cathedral Place. Additional events will include National Sandwich Day (11/3: 11 a.m.-close); Viva Las Vegan (11/4: 11 a.m.-close); National Nacho Day (11/6: 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m.); Midnight Breakfast (11/10: 8 p.m.-12 a.m.); Ramsgiving (11/12: 11 a.m.-close) and Dining Around the World (11/16: 5 p.m.-close). Visit vcu.mydininghub.com/locations/events for weekly event postings and follow @VCU_Dining for the latest updates.
For more information, contact Margaret Massie at dining@vcu.edu or (804) 828-1148 or visit https://vcu.mydininghub.com.
This week
Bus Trip to Richmond Observation Deck
Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Join Sustainable Transportation for a bus ride to Richmond's City Hall to visit the observation deck on the 18th floor. Meet at RamBikes, 1106 W. Broad St., at 1 p.m. to board the free GRTC bus and return by 3 p.m. For more information visit https://cglink.me/2dV/r1949434, for questions email commute@vcu.edu.
For more information, contact Sera Erickson at ericksonss@vcu.edu or (804) 828-2453 or visit https://cglink.me/2dV/r1949434.
Fall 2026 Financial Planning Career Expo
Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Come to the Atrium in Snead Hall, 301 W. Main St., for the Financial Planning Career Expo. Explore financial planning as a profession through VCU’s newly established Financial Planning concentration. Register at the following URL.
For more information, contact Eva Waldorn at waldroneb@vcu.edu or visit https://connect.business.vcu.edu/register/?id=7c4c1ce9-b14f-4902-a848-f1876a84946d&utm_source=telegram.
Food Is Our Love Language
Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Good food is enhanced when it is shared. Pull up for a free bite, real conversation and a chance to connect with people across campus at the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs, University Student Commons, Suite 215, 907 Floyd Ave. Each week will bring a different menu and cultural connection to the table. Bring a friend or show up solo. No registration needed. OMSA events are open to all students, faculty and staff.
For more information, contact Thailon Wilson at wilsont15@vcu.edu.
'Csak Tiszta Forràsból (From the Pure Source) Music for a New Hungary' George Stoffan and Kayla Hanvey Faculty Recital
Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026 at 7:30 p.m.
Join faculty members and Fulbright alums George Stoffan, clarinet, and Kayla Hanvey, flute, with pianist Daniel Stipe in celebrating Hungary’s diverse musical culture in the W.E. Singleton Center for the Performing Arts, 922 Park Ave. This recital will feature music that draws upon folk traditions and the avant-garde, from composers such as Leó Weiner to Peter Eötvös and Máté Hollós and their contemporaries. This event is free and open to the public. Questions: Email music@vcu.edu
For more information, contact Natalie Hale at halene@vcu.edu or visit https://arts.vcu.edu/event/from-the-pure-source-music-for-a-new-hungary/.
Introduction to Change: The Neuroscience of Personal and Leadership Transformation
Thursday, Nov. 5, 2026 from 9 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.
Change is constant in both personal and professional environments, yet sustaining meaningful change can be challenging. This online Continuing and Professional Education course introduces the neuroscience behind how change occurs in the brain and how neuroplasticity supports the development of new patterns. Learn how to intentionally reshape your thinking, behaviors and emotional responses to achieve meaningful change. Ten percent discount for VCU alumni, VCU employees, VCU students and military. Enroll at the following URL.
For more information, contact Shelly Schuetz at ssschuetz@vcu.edu or visit https://www.continuingstudies.vcu.edu/CourseStatus.awp3?&course=27-SS-102.
Guided Tour Through Hollywood Cemetery With Amy Tudor, Ph.D.
Friday, Nov. 6, 2026 from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Looking for one more spooky adventure after Halloween? Join TEDxVCU and Amy Tudor, Ph.D. for a guided tour of Hollywood Cemetery, one of Richmond’s most historic (and hauntingly beautiful) spots. Meet by the Ram Horns at the Commons. Make sure to register here: https://ramsconnect.vcu.edu/tedxvcu/rsvp_boot?id=1944257 Reach us at tedx@vcu.edu for questions.
For more information, contact Emma Martinez at tedx@vcu.edu.
LinkedIn Night With Career Services and Urban Studies Student Association
Friday, Nov. 6, 2026 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Join Career Services for LinkedIn night. Are you ready to jump-start your professional career but don't know where to start? Career Services has you covered. Come learn all things LinkedIn, from résumés, applying to jobs, cover letters and facilitating career-defining relationships that will last a lifetime. The event will be at 1001 W. Franklin St., (Room B0001). Career Services will have a brief presentation by John Accordino, Ph.D., a longtime VCU Wilder School faculty member, about a study abroad opportunity in 2027.
For more information, contact Ira Ruffin at ruffinio@vcu.edu or (804) 418-9690.
Middle Eastern Shabbat
Friday, Nov. 6, 2026 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Hillel at VCU, 918 W. Grace St., will host its weekly Shabbat dinner. This week, those who attend will learn about Jews of the Middle East and will celebrate Middle Eastern culture with a shared meal and new friends.
For more information, contact Kayla Seabolt at kayla@hillelatvcu.org or visit https://www.hillelatvcu.org/events.
'FALLOW' Dance Performance
Friday, Nov. 6, 2026 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
VCU Dance professors Kristina Ancil Edwards and Lindsay Benson Garrett will present "FALLOW," a First Fridays performance, at Richmond Movement Center. Explore the fertile darkness of cycles through live dance, song, film, poetry and interactive art. Half-hour performances begin at 7 and 7:30 p.m on Friday, Nov. 6.
For more information, contact Lindsay Benson Garrett at bensonla@vcu.edu or visit https://www.facebook.com/events/1090393690252505.
Coming up
Life Design Pop-Up at da Vinci Café
Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2026 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The first waffle is never perfect ... but that’s OK. You can make adjustments and try again. Join Life Design at the da Vinci Café to learn more about what to do with burned waffles and enjoy some tasty, not burned, waffles. The da Vinci Café is in the Student Commons, right next to the University Student Commons Theater.
For more information, contact Mandy James at mintzera@vcu.edu or visit https://uc.vcu.edu/advising-and-student-success/life-design/.
Improving Substance Use Treatment Research: The Role of Lived Experience and Collaboration. With Emily Zimmerman, Ph.D.
Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2026 at noon
VCU's Department of Epidemiology will host its Fall 2026 Epi Forum Seminar Series. This year's theme highlights epidemiology as an interdisciplinary field, showcasing the breadth of our faculty’s innovative research. Refreshments will be provided at every seminar session. The final speaker for the semester is Emily Zimmerman, Ph.D., M.S., M.P.H., associate professor of epidemiology. The session will be at One Capitol Square, Room 644, 830 E. Main St. Refreshments will be provided. Register for the Zoom link at the following URL.
For more information, contact Maggie Christ at christmm@vcu.edu or visit https://epidemiology.vcu.edu/seminar/.
Celebrate the Gift of Innovation at Pitch Night
Friday, Nov. 13, 2026 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
The da Vinci Center Pitch Night is a biannual pitch competition held each fall and spring semester. Building a business and presenting an idea takes courage and entrepreneurs shouldn’t have to do it alone. Friends, family and community members are encouraged to attend and cheer on the pitches. Following the pitches, all are invited to stay for awards, networking and to shop the Shelfie Holiday Market. The event will be held at the Retail Lab, 1235 W. Broad St. RSVP at the following URL.
For more information, contact Ashley Wenger at wengeran@vcu.edu or visit https://davincicenter.vcu.edu/news--events/pitch-night/.
VCU Opera Presents: An Evening of Operetta Favorites
Friday, Nov. 13, 2026 at 7 p.m.
Join VCU Opera for a performance of operetta scenes, directed by Penelope Shumate, DMA, and featuring pianist Daniel Stipe. Under the artistic leadership of VCU Opera Director Daniel Myssyk, this production will showcase the talents of VCU’s voice students. Performance dates and times: Friday, Nov. 13 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 15 at 5 p.m. Performances will be at the W.E. Singleton Center for the Performing Arts, 922 Park Ave. Tickets available at arts.vcu.edu/music-tickets Questions: Please email music@vcu.edu
For more information, contact Natalie Hale at halene@vcu.edu or visit https://arts.vcu.edu/music/ensembles/vcu-opera/.
Notices
VCU Student Mentors Needed for High School Mentorship Program
Personalized Exploration for College Success (PECS) will be hosting the second year of its flagship Catalyst Scholars program, which pairs RPS high school students with trained VCU student mentors. Throughout the spring semester, mentors work directly with students on college application essays, résumés and academic and career planning, giving students a consistent source of support as they consider their next steps after high school. The program is designed to be flexible; mentors meet with mentees for an hour every other week and follow a curriculum designed by PECS, but mentors will still have the independence to work with their mentee about the mentee's specific areas of improvement. If interested, please fill out the mentor application form at the following URL and/or share with anyone who would be a good fit.
For more information, contact Varunika Miryala at pecsatvcu@gmail.com or visit https://forms.gle/gxbQK4e1Y9q4C4FC7.
Still Serving Through Science: Join VCU’s HERO Concussion Study
If you have worn the uniform and now call VCU home, this is for you. Whether you are student, faculty or staff, we want you to be a part of the HERO Study – a clinical trial funded by the Department of Defense. We are studying a noninvasive technique that may help people with a history of concussion or mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) who still suffer from lingering effects. Be part of a federally funded initiative to transform care for military service personnel. Get financial compensation for your time and commitment. Your best interests will be at the forefront of all study obligations, including flexible scheduling and confidential participation. Help shape the future of brain health - for yourself and for others. See if you qualify at the following URL:
For more information, contact HERO Study at hero-study.org or (804) 827-9692 or visit http://hero-study.org.
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.