12 p.m. to 1 p.m.

The Division of Epidemiology of VCU's Department of Family Medicine and Population Health will host Lauren Powell, Ph.D., MPA, as the speaker to kick off National Public Health Week. The seminar will be held in Room 644, One Capitol Square, 830 E. Main St. Powell, director of the Virginia Department of Health's Office of Health Equity, will discuss "Creating Healthy Communities: Whose Job Is It?"

For more information, contact Arnesha Avery at arnesha.avery@vcuhealth.org or (804) 628-2673 or visit https://familymedicine.vcu.edu/epidemiology/national-public-health-week/.

12 p.m. to 12:30 p.m.

VCU's Wellness Resource Center will host a 20-minute meditation session in Monroe Park. The guided session will focus on connecting with the senses. Bring a blanket or yoga mat and meet by the water fountains. The rain location will be at The Well, 815 S. Cathedral Place.

For more information, contact Mia Liadis at liadisa@vcu.edu or (804) 828-6919 or visit https://thewell.vcu.edu/wellness/physical-health/.

3 p.m. to 4 p.m.

VCU's Campus Learning Center will hold a weekly Russian conversation group open to students of all levels (enrolled or not). The sessions, to be offered throughout the semester, will meet in Room B014, Hibbs Hall, 900 Park Ave. The schedule is available at the following URL.

For more information, contact VCU Campus Learning Center at clc@vcu.edu or (804) 827-8108 or visit https://clc.vcu.edu/group-learning/.

5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

VCU's Department of Art History presents "Pop Art and the Cold War." John J. Curley, Ph.D., associate professor of art history at Wake Forest University, will discuss how global pop art became intertwined with the Cold War and how artists from around the world engaged with common objects and mass media materials. The talk will be in Room 403, Hibbs Hall, 900 Park Ave.

For more information, contact Carolyn Porter Phinizy at porterce@vcu.edu or (804) 628-7024 or visit https://arts.vcu.edu/arthistory/2019/03/05/artist-lecture-pop-art-and-the-cold-war/.

7 p.m.

The Diversity Ambassadors from the VCU's Office of Multicultural Student Affairs will host a conversation about the LGBTQIA+ community. The event, which will focus on resources available in Richmond and VCU and how to be an effective ally if someone comes out to you, will be held in the lobby of Cabaniss Hall, 615 N. Eighth St. Snacks will be provided. All students are welcome.

For more information, contact Dana Vandervelde at vandervelded@vcu.edu or visit http://omsa.vcu.edu.

7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

VCU's Campus Learning Center will hold a weekly German conversation group open to students of all levels (enrolled or not). The sessions, to be offered throughout the semester, will meet in Room B014, Hibbs Hall, 900 Park Ave. The schedule is available at the following URL.

For more information, contact VCU Campus Learning Center at clc@vcu.edu or (804) 827-8108 or visit https://clc.vcu.edu/group-learning/.

Tuesday, Apr. 2, 2019 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Edmundo Mireles, retired FBI agent and former Marine, will deliver the Spring 2019 Criminal Justice Lecture. The free event, presented by VCU's L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs, will be held in the Richmond Salons, University Student Commons, 907 Floyd Ave. During his 25-year career with the FBI, Mireles was one of eight FBI agents involved in the "Miami Shootout," the bloodiest day in FBI history. Following the incident, the FBI made changes in policy related to training, body armor and weapons.

For more information, contact Amy Cook at cookak@vcu.edu or (804) 827-0867 or visit http://www.wilder.vcu.edu.

Tuesday, Apr. 2, 2019 from noon to 12:30 p.m.

The VCU Office of Research Subjects Protection and the VCU Libraries will present a webinar about planning and sharing research data and specimens. Learn how to fill out this new page of the SmartForm, what to include in the consent form and how to share data after study closure. Visit the following URL for the Zoom link.

For more information, contact Elicia Preslan at orsp@vcu.edu or visit https://wp.vcu.edu/humanresearch/news-updates.

Tuesday, Apr. 2, 2019 at noon

The ICA will host a mindful meditation session in conjunction with Cauleen Smith's "Give It or Leave It" exhibit. The session will be held at the Institute for Contemporary Art at the Markel Center, 601 W. Broad St.

For more information, contact Institute for Contemporary Art at ica@vcu.edu or visit https://icavcu.org/calendar/?ica-event-start=20190401&ica-event-end=20190430&ica-event-type=0&ica-event-tag=0&ica-event-range=monthly.

Tuesday, Apr. 2, 2019 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Join You First at VCU for this year's final First Tuesdays with You First. The event will be in Room 203, Hibbs Hall, 900 Park Ave. Hear experiences from fellow first-gen students Terry and Terrence Everett, VCU seniors who made a name for themselves through viral videos. Their brand, Bthemovement, was created with the purpose of inspiring students to excel and achieve.

For more information, contact Elizabeth Bambacus at bambacuses@vcu.edu or (804) 827-3927 or visit http://youfirst.vcu.edu.

Wednesday, Apr. 3, 2019 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Peer Health Educators of VCU's Wellness Resource Center will host a session on strategies to prevent violence as an active bystander. The event will be held in Monroe Park. Free swag from The Well will be available.

For more information, contact Kaylin Tingle at tinglekm@vcu.edu or (804) 828-7695.

Wednesday, Apr. 3, 2019 from noon to 1 p.m.

VCU Human Resources and CommonHealth will host a session about the physical and mental benefits of mindfulness and meditation. The event will be held in Room 250, James Branch Cabell Library, 901 Park Ave. All who participate will receive a mindfulness guide. Register at the following URL (keyword "re-learn to relax").

For more information, contact Cindi Phares at worklife@vcu.edu or visit http://training.vcu.edu.

Wednesday, Apr. 3, 2019 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

VCU's Campus Learning Center will hold a weekly French conversation group open to students of all levels (enrolled or not). The sessions, to be offered throughout the semester, will meet in Room B014, Hibbs Hall, 900 Park Ave. The schedule is available at the following URL.

For more information, contact VCU Campus Learning Center at clc@vcu.edu or (804) 827-8108 or visit https://clc.vcu.edu/group-learning/.

Wednesday, Apr. 3, 2019 from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

VCU Globe will host a talk by Doug Mercado, a visiting lecturer at Princeton University's Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs. The lecture will be in Room 1030C, West Grace Street Student Housing – North, 830 W. Grace St. Mercado has worked in the field of international disaster assistance and post-conflict recovery over the past 28 years on assignments with the United Nations, the U.S. Agency for International Development, the Organization of American States and various nongovernmental organizations.

For more information, contact Audrey Short at aeshort@vcu.edu or visit http://tinyurl.com/y4nf6cg5.

Thursday, Apr. 4, 2019 from noon to 1 p.m.

Jason Purnell, Ph.D., an associate professor at Washington University in St. Louis, will discuss Health Equity Works, a research-based initiative. The program, based at Washington University in St. Louis, specializes in bringing quality, accessible research on health disparities into communities. The event is co-sponsored by VCU's C. Kenneth and Dianne Wright Center for Clinical and Translational Research, the Department of Family Medicine and Population Health and the Center on Society and Health. It will be in Room 644, One Capitol Square, 830 E. Main St.

For more information, contact Jill Hellman at jill.hellman@vcuhealth.org or visit https://rampages.us/vcucctr/2019/03/26/advancing-health-equity-in-st-louis-and-beyond/.

Thursday, Apr. 4, 2019 at 5 p.m.

Alpha Kappa Delta of VCU, the university's branch of the International Sociology Honor Society, will hold its annual induction event to admit qualified undergraduate and graduate inductees to society membership. The event will be in Room 2100, Academic Learning Commons, 1000 Floyd Ave. Zeynep Tufekci, Ph.D., an associate professor at the University of North Carolina School of Information and Library Science, will speak.

For more information, contact Niko Leiva at leivamn@vcu.edu or (703) 554-7698.

Friday, Apr. 5, 2019 from noon to 1 p.m.

The VCU Center on Health Disparities hosts "Building Lives to Independence and Self Sufficiency" presented by program coordinator Sandra Smith of the Office of Community Wealth Building at the Jonah L. Larrick Student Center, 900 Turpin St. Lunch will be provided. RSVP at the following URL.

For more information, contact Alisa Brewer at alisa.brewer@vcuhealth.org or visit https://goo.gl/forms/Lq1H6QpOntZvGD1E2.

Friday, Apr. 5, 2019 at 4 p.m.

The ICA offers extended gallery hours until 9 p.m. with free tours, performances and other special events the first Friday of each month. Food and beverages are available at Ellwood’s Café at the Institute for Contemporary Art at the Markel Center, 601 W. Broad St. Visit the following URL for a full schedule of events.

For more information, contact Institute for Contemporary Art at ica@vcu.edu or visit https://icavcu.org/events/firstfriday-0405/.

Friday, Apr. 5, 2019 from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

VCU's Relevant, Experiential and Applied Learning (REAL) initiative is hosting a poster session. The event will be in Rooms 1231-1232, Grace and Broad Residence Center 2, 1010 W. Grace St. More than 40 presenters across campus will be displaying research posters showcasing the experiential learning activities happening in their units. Invite your students, and come discover opportunities for collaboration.

For more information, contact Erin Webster Garrett at real@vcu.edu or visit https://provost.vcu.edu/about/events/feed-for-home-and-events-page/doing-real-poster-session.html.

Sunday, Apr. 7, 2019 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

VCU Career Services, VCU Alumni and the VCU Chapter of National Association of Black Accountants are hosting "Suit Up With JCPenney." The event will be at The Shops at White Oak Village, 4541 S. Laburnum Ave. Students and alumni will receive a 40 percent discount on regularly priced and sale items that are business casual and business professional, including suits, dresses, sports coats, dress pants, shoes and accessories. Bring a valid VCU ID. Sign up for free transportation at the following registration link.

For more information, contact Jeanette Hickl at jwhickl@vcu.edu or (804) 828-1645 or visit http://tinyurl.com/VCUSuitUp19.

Monday, Apr. 8, 2019 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Black Women in STEM will host a networking and career panel. The event will be held in the Commonwealth Ballroom, University Student Commons, 907 Floyd Ave. Black professionals in various STEM fields talk about their experiences and network after the discussion. Business attire is required.

For more information, contact Crissy Brown at browncj9@vcu.edu.

Tuesday, Apr. 9, 2019 from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

VCU's Institute for Women’s Health will host its 15th annual Women’s Health Research Day. The event will be held at the Court End Ballroom, Jonah L. Larrick Student Center, 900 Turpin St., and will focus on "Sex Matters: At the Bench and the Bedside," Young investigator and interdisciplinary research awards, a poster session and reception. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Benoit Meyrieux at benoit.meyrieux@vcuhealth.org or visit http://www.womenshealth.vcu.edu/research/researchday.html.

Wednesday, Apr. 17, 2019 from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Volunteers are sought for the Young Aces Open. The tennis event, hosted by VCU's Division of Community Engagement and Richmond Public Schools, will be at the Mary and Frances Youth Center, 120 S. Linden St. More than 200 fourth- and fifth-graders from each of the city's 26 pubic elementary schools participate. Volunteers welcome participants, serve as court monitors, facilitate fun activity stations and assist with event management logistics. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Rachel Rhoney at rhoneyrb@vcu.edu or (804) 828-9276 or visit https://givepul.se/5ijfn.

Thursday, Apr. 25, 2019 at 11:30 a.m.

Join fellow employees and students for the 15th annual Marquita Aguilar Walk-A-Thon. Participants will walk around Monroe Park led by Rodney the Ram and The Peppas. Lunch and door prizes will follow. By making a gift of any amount, registrants for the walk support the Virginia’s Caring University Scholarship, which benefits rising juniors and seniors at VCU. Learn more and register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Emma Coates at ekcoates@vcu.edu or (804) 828-2694 or visit https://walkathon.vcu.edu.

Saturday, Apr. 27, 2019 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

VCU Recreational Sports will host its first Ram Strength Powerlifting Meet. The event will be at the MCV Campus Recreation Center. Participants will compete against other VCU students for prizes and trophies. Register at the following URL (ends April 12).

For more information, contact Sydney Dale at dalesm3@vcu.edu or (804) 827-6411 or visit https://bit.ly/2MEa7vu.

Wednesday, May 1, 2019 at noon

The VCU Office of Alumni Relations will host award-winning author Lee Smith at the ninth annual Monroe Scholars Book and Author Luncheon. The event will be held at Jefferson Lakeside Country Club, 1700 Lakeside Ave. Those in attendance will have the opportunity to meet Smith and purchase an autographed copy of her latest book, “Dimestore.” Cost is $75 per person or $600 for a table of eight. $50 of each ticket and $400 of each table is a tax-deductible contribution. Proceeds from the luncheon fund the Monroe Scholars Book Award program. The award provides special recognition and a $1,000 scholarship to high school students who meet the criteria of leadership and scholarship and who enroll at VCU.

For more information, contact Patrick Heckel at pcheckel@vcu.edu or visit https://www.support.vcu.edu/event/mspluncheon2019.

Saturday, May 4, 2019 from 8:30 a.m. to noon

VCU's School of Pharmacy will host preview day, a half-day event for students interested in pursuing a career in pharmacy. The event will be held at the Robert Blackwell Smith Building, 410 N. 12th St. Participants will have the opportunity to meet admissions faculty and current professional students. Tours of the School of Pharmacy, conducting hands-on medication compounding and participation in mock interviews will also be available.

For more information, contact Taryn Hayes at hayesta5@vcu.edu.

Barnes and Noble at VCU reminds faculty and staff that textbook adoptions for summer and fall are due April 15. Visit the following URL to submit using FacultyEnlight or email adoption information to textbooks@vcubooks.com.

For more information, contact Amy Randolph at arandolph@vcu.edu or visit http://VCUbooks.com.

VCU's Office of the President is currently accepting applications to become a Presidential Student Ambassador. The program is designed to provide professional development experience and leadership opportunities for students. Apply by 11:59 p.m. April 12 at the following URL.

For more information, contact Wyatt Booth at psambassadors@vcu.edu or (804) 828-1203 or visit https://goo.gl/forms/iv1r6C4psYQ2wws62.

The Rice Rivers Center will fund a limited number of undergraduate student research awards for projects mentored by VCU faculty. Successful student applicants will receive a cash stipend of $1,400 to defray expenses of the research project. The Center’s mission is to support research, innovative instruction and community engagement in areas including conservation biology, ecological restoration, water resources and applications of environmental technology. The deadline for proposals is April 13.

For more information, contact Herb Hill, Director of Undergraduate Research Opportunities at hhill@vcu.edu or visit https://research.vcu.edu/ugresources/rice_rivers.htm.

Through a new education partnership with Kaplan Test Prep, students can save on live online prep courses for the MCAT when enrolling through the VCU Office of Continuing and Professional Education. View a schedule of available courses at the following URL.

For more information, contact VCU Office of Continuing and Professional Education at ocpe@vcu.edu or (804) 828-1322 or visit https://ocpe.vcu.edu/mcat.

VCU's Wellness Resource Center is providing information and programming about alcohol for the campus community during April in conjunction with Alcohol Awareness Month.

For more information, contact Kat Corrin at corrinkh@vcu.edu or (804) 828-7815 or visit http://thewell.vcu.edu.

In conjunction with National Public Health Week, VCU's Delta Omega Honor Society is sponsoring a collection of menstrual hygiene products to benefit displaced and homeless women and girls in the Richmond area. Donations of tampons or pads can be dropped off in the box outside Room 805, One Capitol Square, 830 E. Main St. from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., April 1-5. The donated products will be going to The Period Patch, a Richmond-based nonprofit which will distribute the products to local charities and service organizations.

For more information, contact Rose Bono at bonors@vcu.edu or (804) 839-2875.

Open forum videos and candidate feedback forms are now available for the Director of Faculty Success search. Videos and feedback at the following URL will be available to the university community until 5 p.m. April 2.

For more information, contact Tiffany Freitas at freitast@vcu.edu or visit https://provost.vcu.edu/searches/dirfacsuccess/candidates/.

A draft of the revised Tuition Benefits, Educational and Training Opportunities policy is now open for university comment through April 10. The draft policy can be found at the following URL.

For more information, contact Squig Moore at imoore2@vcu.edu or visit https://policy.vcu.edu/policies-open-for-public-comment.

VCU's Office of Research and Innovation announces the 2019 Grant Academy, which is accepting applications until 5 p.m. May 6. The academy provides training and support for faculty investigators working with senior faculty, research development experts and research administrators to submit successful funding proposals. The academy is open to all university faculty in any discipline. Submit applications at the following URL.

For more information, contact Melissa Throckmorton at throckmortms@vcu.edu or (804) 827-1443 or visit https://research.vcu.edu/vpr/grant_writing/index.htm.

VCUDine will offer a number of special events in April. The offerings include PB&J Lunch at Shafer and Jonah’s on April 2; Shafer Seafood Lunch on April 10; Jonah’s Grilled Cheese Day on April 12; Shafer Frank’s Red Hot Lunch on April 16; Jonah’s Shrimp Night on April 16; Shafer Steak Night on April 18; Shafer Earth Day Lunch on April 22; VCUDine Food Truck Fest on April 23; Jonah’s Rib Night on April 25; and Midnight Breakfast on April 30.

For more information, contact Lauren Hay at lhay@vcu.edu or (804) 828-1148 or visit http://vcu.campusdish.com.

A revised draft of the Criminal Conviction Investigations policy is open for another round of university comment through April 11. The draft policy can be found at the following URL.

For more information, contact Angela Nicholas at anicholas@vcu.edu or visit https://policy.vcu.edu/policies-open-for-public-comment.

Supported by the A.D. Williams Trust Fund, endowment funds designated for specific health sciences research and the Office of the Vice President for Health Sciences, the C. Kenneth and Dianne Wright Center for Clinical and Translational Research Endowment Fund supports research that applies discoveries generated in the laboratory and pre-clinical studies to the development of clinical trials. Multidisciplinary research teams may apply for up to $130,000 to support research that involves collaborators from at least two VCU schools.

For more information, contact Pam Dillon at pmdillon@vcu.edu or visit https://cctr.vcu.edu/support/funding/endowment-fund?fbclid=IwAR1qpWvE-XkQdYGHI81qGIP11XktaLvUFrjoyS_qlm6YuYKFAglGvZU6QmU.