10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

The VCU Writing Center will present an interactive session focusing on the tools necessary to establish ideas in a strong, logical manner to hook readers and entice them to read more. Register for the Zoom link at the following URL.

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

12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.

To celebrate Open Access Week 2020, join VCU Libraries for an online screening of a documentary on inequality of access to scholarship, profit margins of for-profit academic publishers and the need for open access to research and science. A discussion led by VCU librarians will follow the film starting around 1 p.m. Sign up to receive the viewing link at the following URL.

For more information, contact Gregory Kimbrell at kimbrellgg@vcu.edu or (804) 393-2951 or visit https://www.library.vcu.edu/about/events/2020-2021/paywall.html.

12 p.m. to 1 p.m.

This training for VCU instructors will demonstrate how to install and use third-party tool integrations in Canvas. Examples: content from publishers, curricula-specific materials, interactive content, quiz builders and more. Questions: https://go.vcu.edu/learn-canvas. Register for the training with your VCU eID at the following URL. You will receive a confirmation email with the Zoom training URL and password.

For more information, contact Eric Harvey at canvas@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0vcOqopj8iHdddFkVevU6iuC4eGOR0OEoC.

3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

VCU School of World Studies will host anthropologist Nicholas Copeland, Ph.D., Virginia Tech, for a public Zoom lecture. He will speak about his research on international social justice and environmental politics in Mayan Guatemala. Register at the following URL. The meeting ID is 935 8221 6398. The pass code is YgA1J1.

For more information, contact Rohan Kalyan at rkkalyan@vcu.edu or visit https://bit.ly/33D8cyf.

3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

This workshop covers workflows and strategies for conducting, recording and editing podcasts created over the Internet. This session will provide overviews of SoundTrap and CleanFeed, web-based tools that can be used for live interviews, and share tips for cleaning and restoring audio recorded over Zoom or other video-conferencing software. The session will be hosted by the VCU Libraries Workshop. See details at the following URL.

For more information, contact Gregory Kimbrell at kimbrellgg@vcu.edu or (804) 393-2951 or visit https://www.library.vcu.edu/about/events/2020-2021/wednesdays-in-the-workshop.html.

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

VCU Votes Student Coalition will present a webinar and Q&A on the True Authority of the President, from executive orders to veto power, featuring guest speaker Alex Keena, Ph.D., VCU Political Science Department. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Jordan Roberts at robertsje6@mymail.vcu.edu or visit http://cglink.me/r868823.

6 p.m.

VCU's Office of Multicultural Student Affairs will present a keynote speech by Schuyler Bailar, internationally known inspirational speaker and inclusion advocate. As seen on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" and The Olympic Channel, Schuyler will tell his groundbreaking journey as the first transgender athlete to compete on an NCAA D1 men’s team, as a swimmer at Harvard University. Register for the Zoom link at the following URL.

For more information, contact Tiana Ingram at ingramtd@vcu.edu or visit https://linktr.ee/vcuomsa.

6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

In celebration of National Transfer Student Week, the Transfer Student Association and Transfer Student Leadership have come together to host a virtual paint night. Channel your inner Bob Ross by following a fall-inspired Bob Ross tutorial. Supply kits will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis. Limited supplies are available. RSVP is required to receive a paint kit. The painting session will be via Zoom.

For more information, contact Alexzane at taylorac22@vcu.edu or (804) 426-1103 or visit http://cglink.me/r850382.

7 p.m.

United Healthcare Network will hold a Plan for the Future Event on Zoom. Students can reflect on the semester and how to best prepare for upcoming semesters. UHCN will discuss final exam tips, how to register for classes and more. Register for the Zoom link at the following URL.

For more information, contact Suzannah at uhcnatvcu@gmail.com or visit https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81924356081?pwd=MHF6dHliUzhRNnVqc0kwcmo1dm9TUT09.

Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020 from 1 p.m. to 1:50 p.m.

Myriam Kadeba, Ph.D., interim director, Office of Multicultural Student Affairs, and senior staff clinician, University Counseling Services, will discuss the reasons and ways to make mental health a priority this year. She will also talk about how to rediscover motivation and will share her personal experiences as a first-gen graduate. The talk will be hosted by You First at VCU. Calendar: youfirst.vcu.edu. Register for the Zoom link at the following URL.

For more information, contact Elizabeth Bambacus at bambacuses@vcu.edu or (804) 827-3927 or visit https://bit.ly/YouFirst102220.

Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020 at noon

The Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Clinical Research program is accepting applications for Spring 2021 admission. The program, managed by the C. Kenneth and Dianne Wright Center for Clinical and Translational Research and sponsored by the Office of the Vice President of Research and Innovation, prepares students for entry or transition into clinical research and provides professional development for current clinical and allied health professionals. Course and admission requirements can be found at https://cctr.vcu.edu/education-and-training/certificate-program/. Apply online at https://www.vcu.edu/admissions/apply/graduate/. The application deadline is Dec. 11. Register for the informational session at the following URL.

For more information, contact Catherine Brown at crbrown@vcu.edu or (804) 628-6511 or visit https://vcu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJcrdO6rqz0uEtEKhHDd8IgjCJoL9Kk8fagP.

Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

VCU's Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence will present a workshop on invisible and emotional labor in the academy. This session will define invisible and emotional labor and the ways in which it impacts work in the academy. Participants will be able to share their own experiences. Ways and practices to manage invisible and emotional labor will also be discussed. Register for the Zoom link at the following URL.

For more information, contact Tiffany Freitas at freitast@vcu.edu or visit https://forms.gle/9fyJ6gXmFGG4Nty96.

Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020 from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.

VCU's C. Kenneth and Dianne Wright Center for Clinical and Translational Research will host an event to demonstrate how to access and use the Protocol Builder application and the CITI Research Study Design course to develop a research protocol/proposal. A representative from the application development company will provide basic user training and answer questions. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Maureen Olmsted at meolmsted@vcu.edu or visit https://training.vcu.edu/course_detail.asp?ID=17635.

Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

In this workshop, the Society of Bioinformatics will be expanding the library of code to create reusable functions in Python that can be used in an academic or professional setting. No prior coding experience is required, but participants will need an IDE capable of understanding Python. Register for the Zoom link at the following URL.

For more information, contact Jacob Essig at societyofbioinformatics1@gmail.com or (804) 901-1706 or visit https://vcu.zoom.us/my/sobnfo.

Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Make an appointment Oct. 21 to get a flu immunization on Oct. 22 in Room 115, Human Resources Training Room, 922 W. Grace St. This is the third of four clinics on both campuses. Set up an appointment at the following URL.

For more information, contact Cindi Phares at cphares@vcu.edu or (804) 828-1521 or visit https://hr.vcu.edu/current-employees/worklife/flu-clinics/.

Friday, Oct. 23, 2020 from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

The Pace Center Student Organization will host a virtual community conversation at which speakers from the VCU community will address the following question: How are your personal experiences motivating or discouraging your current political or social action? Hear speakers’ experiences and engage in reflection with other students and members of the community. Questions: http://www.thepacecenter.com. Register on RamsConnect at the following URL.

For more information, contact Elizabeth Roderick at eroderick@vcu.edu or visit http://cglink.me/r8637.

Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2020 from 10 a.m. to noon

The purpose of Safe Zone is to reduce homophobia, transphobia, biphobia and heterosexism on the VCU campus. This will make the campus a safer and freer environment for all members of the community regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity and/or gender expression. Register for the Zoom link at the following URL and search for Safe Zone.

For more information, contact C.J. Polihronakis at safezone@vcu.edu or visit http://training.vcu.edu.

Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2020 from 2:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Join Mia Liadis from The Health Promotion and Well-being Center for a virtual 30-minute guided meditation session hosted by VCU Human Resources and VCU Recreational Sports. Register in Talent.

For more information, contact Cindi Phares at cphares@vcu.edu or (804) 828-1521 or visit https://hr.vcu.edu/current-employees/worklife/.

Friday, Nov. 6, 2020 at noon

The VCU Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute, L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs, announces registration is open for its 14th Annual HIGHER Ground Women's Leadership Conference. The theme, Not Waiting to Lead, encourages women to explore how to break free of leadership models that undervalue women and embolden women to take the lead without needing to hold position. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Kiara Faulks at gehli@vcu.edu or visit https://gehli.vcu.edu/conference/.

Although COVID-19 presents uncertainty regarding study abroad and when it will resume, its importance remains. During this time, VCU's Education Abroad Office will continue to promote study, research, service learning and internships abroad to students who will be able to take advantage of these opportunities once it is safe and possible to do so. Virtual global education opportunities are now also available. Education Abroad provides a toolkit with resources to assist in publicizing study abroad.

For more information, contact Education Abroad Office at abroad@vcu.edu or visit https://global.vcu.edu/abroad/edabroadtoolkit/.

PennyAppeal at VCU is hosting a winter clothing drive for students to donate clothes to the homeless residents of Richmond. All items received from the drive will be donated to Grace and Holy Trinity Episcopal Church. Gloves, coats, shirts and pants are most needed. The drive will run through Oct. 29. A drop-off bin will be available next to the information desk in the University Student Commons, 907 Floyd Ave.

For more information, contact Samah Nor Bouyakoub at bouyakoubs@vcu.edu.

The Health Promotion and Well-Being Center (The Well) is sponsoring the Fall Into Wellness Challenge, a variety of activities including hiking, group exercise, decorating pumpkins and stargazing. Follow the challenge on Instagram @thewellvcu or the following URL.

For more information, contact Kendyll Graham at grahamk4@vcu.edu or visit https://thewell.vcu.edu/health-topics/fall-into-wellness/.

Women in Science presents the YWCA Supply Drive. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, which is especially important this year because the incidence of domestic violence has risen worldwide since the onset of COVID-19. Donations will help meet the educational needs of students at the Sprout School and those at YWCA shelters who have experienced domestic violence or sexual assault. Collection boxes will be available through Nov. 6 in the lobbies of Sanger Hall, 1101 E. Marshall St., and the Molecular Medicine Research Building, 1220 E. Broad St. Questions: kovilakathap@vcu.edu.

For more information, contact Women in Science at vcu.wis@gmail.com or visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/vcu.wis.