10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

The Global Education Office hosts the Study Abroad Coffee Bar in Rodney's Cafe. Students interested in studying abroad during winter, spring and summer 2018 are encouraged to attend. Attendees can register to win one of ten $500 study abroad awards. This event is part of VCU's celebration of International Education Week, which recognizes the benefits of international education and exchanges worldwide.

For more information, visit https://global.vcu.edu/abroad/students/fair/#coffeebar.

3 p.m.

The Alexandrian Society hosts its annual fall lecture, "Race in America: Past, Present and Future," presented by Christina Greer, Ph.D., Fordham University, in the University Student Commons, Forum Room. Free and open to the public.

For more information, visit https://history.vcu.edu/undergraduate-program/student-organizations/alexandrian-society/.

4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

The Department of Family Medicine and Population Health, University College Common Book Program and the American Medical Student Association at the School of Medicine present a panel presentation and discussion on "The Opioid Epidemic in Virginia: Treatment and Recovery Perspectives" in the Kontos Medical Sciences Building Auditorium.

5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The Graduate and Professional Student Programming Board holds an event on multifaceted career paths in the Larrick Student Center, Jackson Ward Room. During this event, panelists Nakeina Douglas-Glenn, Ph.D., Charles Klink, Ph.D., and Garret Westlake, Ph.D., who are distinguished leaders within the upper administration of VCU, will share experiences, lead a discussion and provide advice to students. Complimentary dinner will be provided to all guests.

6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The Public Administration Student Association at VCU presents "Insights: Virginia Election" at Virginia Union University, L. Douglas Wilder Library, 1500 N. Lombardy St. The event, co-sponsored with the Central Virginia Chapter of the American Society for Public Administration, will feature political expert Bob Holsworth, Ph.D., with analysis of the outcome and impact of the Nov. 7 election in Virginia.

7 p.m.

VCU Libraries and the M.F.A. in Creative Writing Program in the Department of English present the VCU Cabell First Novelist Award Night in Cabell Library, Third Floor Lecture Hall. Attendees will enjoy a reading, panel and question-and-answer session with the 2017 winner Jade Chang, author of "The Wangs vs. The World." Free and open to all.

For more information, visit http://www.firstnovelist.vcu.edu/winners/.

7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

VCU Political Science faculty answers questions pertaining to a wide range of questions concerning foreign policy, both domestic and the policies driven by international organizations and other governments and/or political actors abroad, in the Academic Learning Commons, Room 1104. Attendees are encouraged to submit questions for the panel in advance by visiting the website below.

For more information, visit https://goo.gl/forms/31gzfGnQHcuFxbEl2.

Friday, Nov. 17, 2017 from noon to 1 p.m.

The Department of Biostatistics holds a seminar, "Tools for Epigenome Analysis of Genomic Regions and Data-Intensive Project Management," featuring Nathan Sheffield, Ph.D., Center for Public Health Genomics, University of Virginia, in One Capitol Square, Third Floor, Room 305.

Friday, Nov. 17, 2017 from noon to 6 p.m.

VCU LEAD hosts a blood drive with the American Red Cross at the Grace and Broad Residence Center. Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are encouraged. To schedule an appointment, visit the website below.

For more information, visit http://redcrossblood.org.

Friday, Nov. 17, 2017 from 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.

United2Heal at VCU seeks volunteers to help sort medical supplies to donate to areas in need. The warehouse is located at 2601 Maury St., Unit #31. Rides will be provided if needed at the Commons loops at 2:50 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 17, 2017 at 5 p.m.

The College of Humanities and Sciences and the American Chemical Society's Virginia section present an evening with Christine Darden, Ph.D., an aeronautical engineer and one of the NASA "colored" human computers portrayed in the book "Hidden Figures" by Margot Shetterly, at Fifth Baptist Church, 1415 W. Cary St. This event will raise funds in support of a STEM Student Summit on Nov. 18. Registration and ticket purchase are required. Seating is limited.

For more information, visit http://virginia.sites.acs.org/activities.htm.

Friday, Nov. 17, 2017 at 7 p.m.

VCU Opera presents "Masked Mayhem: A Gala of Opera Scenes" on Friday, Nov. 17, at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 18, at 4 p.m. in the W.E. Singleton Center for the Performing Arts, Sonia Vlahcevic Concert Hall. Admission is free.

For more information, visit http://arts.vcu.edu/music/events/.

Sunday, Nov. 19, 2017 at 5 p.m.

The VCU Men's Soccer team hosts an NCAA Tournament match at Sports Backers Stadium, 300 Avenue of Champions #300. The team will take on the winner of Butler/Lipscomb.

For more information, visit http://bit.ly/2hrpW6Q.

Monday, Nov. 20, 2017 at 8 p.m.

VCU Music presents a Horn Studio Recital in the James W. Black Music Center, Recital Hall. Admission is free.

For more information, visit http://arts.vcu.edu/music/events/.

Friday, Dec. 1, 2017 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The Office of the President hosts the annual University Holiday Open House in the University Student Commons, Commonwealth Ballroom. Food and refreshments will be provided. RSVP by Wednesday, Nov. 29, to the email address below.

For more information, visit https://president.vcu.edu/emailer/holiday/2017/evite.html.

VCU Health System and Cigna have reached an agreement for VCU Health System to be an in-network health care provider for Cigna Connect, the sole insurance product offered on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) health insurance exchange in Central Virginia in 2018. This means that, starting January 1, 2018, services from VCU Medical Center and MCV Physicians will be covered at the in-network benefit level, both for existing Cigna Connect customers in Central Virginia and also for new individuals in that region choosing Cigna Connect for 2018.

For more information, visit https://www.vcuhealth.org/exchange.

For those needing a ride back home for Thanksgiving break, RamAway provides free transportation for faculty, staff and students during designated holidays and semester breaks to and/or from the Richmond International Airport, Greyhound Bus Station and Amtrak at Main Street Station and Staples Mill Road. RamAway is currently accepting reservations until Friday, Nov. 17, for rides through Sunday, Nov. 26. To reserve a ride, visit go.vcu.edu/ramaway

For more information, visit http://go.vcu.edu/ramaway.

The Foundation for the International Medical Relief of Children holds a donation drive for hurricane relief in Nicaragua in the University Student Commons, Information Desk. Those would like to donate extra sheets, towels, cutlery, school supplies and personal hygiene items can stop by the Commons information desk until the start of Thanksgiving break.

VCU Recreational Sports offers a variety of group exercise classes for all fitness levels which are free for all students and Recreational Sports members. All instructors are certified and will motivate participants to reach fitness goals. Classes are held at Cary Street Gym, MCV Campus Recreation Center and the new Marshall Street Studio. Register 24-hours in advance. The new schedule continues through the rest of the fall semester.

For more information, visit http://www.recsports.vcu.edu/programs/fitness/group-exercise/.

The VCU RUN LAB invites you to participate in a beginner running program, as a part of a research study. Participants will receive a 16-week program (beginning in January) to prepare for a 5km race, attend weekly group training sessions at Lucky Road Willow Lawn, and visit the VCU RUN LAB 3 times for running analysis. To be eligible, you must be aged 18-60, have never run regularly, and be healthy enough to participate in physical activity. For more information please contact harrisonk3@vcu.edu.

A new Post-Award Financial Extension and Closeout policy is open for university comment through Monday, Dec. 4. The draft policy can be found at https://policy.vcu.edu/policies-open-for-public-comment

For more information, visit https://policy.vcu.edu/policies-open-for-public-comment.