10:30 a.m.

The Office of Multicultural Student Affairs will host Queer Coffee Hour. The session will include dialogues around sexuality, gender and their intersections while continuing to provide a (virtual) space for authentic conversations and identity expression. Register (mandatory) for the Zoom link at the following URL.

For more information, contact Kim Green at greenk2@vcu.edu or visit https://linktr.ee/vcuomsa.

12 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Artist Amal Khalaf is director of programs at Cubitt, an artist-run cooperative based in London, and civic curator at the Serpentine Galleries, also based in London. She has commissioned and developed residencies, exhibitions, workshops and collaborative research projects at the intersection of arts and social justice. Her talk will be part of Wavelength, an online lecture series presented by VCUarts, VCUarts Qatar and the Institute for Contemporary Art at the Markel Center. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Kelly Kerr at kkerr@vcu.edu or visit https://arts.vcu.edu/event/wavelength-amal-khalaf/.

2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Catherine Ingrassia, Ph.D., professor and chair, VCU English Department, will discuss poet and memorist Laetitia Pilkington as part of the English Faculty Forum. Pilkington (c. 1708-1749), an intimate of Johnathan Swift who publicly and acrimoniously divorced her husband in 1738, supported herself and her children by running a pamphlet shop and working as a writer for hire. Register at https://vcu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJAsdeCsqDsrG9N0v_OGQbz3ll41_Z-jTBrY.

For more information, contact Rivka Swenson at rswenson@vcu.edu or (804) 564-4939 or visit https://english.vcu.edu/news--events/faculty-forum/.

1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

VCU Globe will host a panel discussion with Mark Stroh, acting principal deputy assistant secretary and managing director for international media in the Bureau of Public Affairs at the Department of State, and Doug Mercado, humanitarian affairs advisor to the U.S. Agency for International Development. Contact Angela Lehman for the event link at the following email address before 9 a.m. Oct. 27.

For more information, contact Angela Lehman at aglehman@vcu.edu or visit https://docs.google.com/document/d/1r_RhsFRM18mWk-2B8Lru7KTVHfzzo8ky0XefdGSZKus/edit?usp=sharing.

3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The Focused Inquiry Learning Lounge will host librarian Jenny Stout for virtual office hours. Students in UNIV 111, 112 or 200 can receive assistance with their library research. Questions: https://vcu.mediaspace.kaltura.com/media/FILL+Promo+Update/1_b7ksju33. Register for the Zoom link at the following URL.

For more information, contact Hannah Franz at askinh@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.zoom.us/j/3311078055.

6 p.m. to 7 p.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/.

Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2020 at 1 p.m.

Assistant Professor Hema Ramsurn, Ph.D., Russell School of Chemical Engineering, University of Tulsa, Okla., will speak at a remote seminar hosted by VCU Chemical and Life Science Engineering. Her topic will be "Vacuum- and Hydrogen-Free Synthesis of Graphene from Biochar." Register for the Zoom link at the following URL.

For more information, contact Desiney Lowery at dlowery3@vcu.edu or (804) 828-7789 or visit https://vcu.zoom.us/j/94466072898.

Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2020 from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.

The second of VCU's Bioinformatics Graduate Student Organization's fall faculty seminar series will feature Michael Rosenberg, Ph.D., director of the Center for the Study of Biological Complexity. Questions: https://vcu.campusgroups.com/bgso/events/. Register for the Zoom link at the following URL.

For more information, contact Bioinformatics Graduate Student Organization at bgso@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJAqdOygrT8jGdeNGXrCKmP9DeZRYxnXcbxw.

Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2020 at 6 p.m.

Grab a front-row seat at the second annual VCU Alumni Pitch Competition, hosted by the university's Office of Alumni Relations. Five finalists will pitch their business ventures virtually to a panel of judges for a chance to win funding, resources and the ultimate title: 2020 VCU Alumni Pitch Competition champion. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Latisha Taylor at Lntaylor2@vcu.edu or visit https://www.vcualumni.org/Calendar/Details/41080.

Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2020 at 7 p.m.

How was the prison of white supremacy built? If it is more than just monuments to the Confederacy, how can we take it down? Join "Writing Our Way Out-The Podcast" for a watch party and dialogue about the group's latest episode with hosts Dave Coogan and Stan Craddock and special guests Chelsea Higgs Wise, Danita Rountree Green, Dale Brumfield and Christopher Graham.

For more information, contact David Coogan at dcoogan@vcu.edu or visit https://fb.me/e/5yRlb2pjf.

Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020 at 11 a.m.

The VCU Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute will host a HIGHER Ground Women's Leadership Development Program Virtual Open House. Hear firsthand experiences from program alumnae about how the program has affected them personally and professionally. A Q&A will also be included. Questions: https://gehli.vcu.edu/programs/higher-ground-womens-leadership-development-program/. Register for the Zoom link at the following URL.

For more information, contact Kiara Faulks at GEHLI@vcu.edu or (804) 827-1169 or visit https://vcu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMqdOGqqz4uGNDZEuO6VQV342BQPwv2K8r_.

Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020 at 11 a.m.

How can we be sure those collecting our own personal data are being responsible with it? How can we ensure that trust is built and maintained? These questions and more will be addressed at the fourth of five Fall Virtual Rams Mini-Forum Series. Dan Han, VCU chief information security officer, will speak. Register at Talent@vcu and search for Rams Forum for the Zoom link.

For more information, contact Stacy West at smwest@vcu.edu or (804) 827-1446.

Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020 from noon to 1 p.m.

The VCU C. Kenneth and Dianne Wright Center for Clinical and Translational Research and the Department of Biostatistics will present an online lunch research seminar. Ekaterina Smirnova, Ph.D., VCU biostatistics assistant professor, will discuss formulating a research hypothesis, common types of studies, data collection, sample size and the analysis plan. Questions: http://www.cctr.vcu.edu. Register for the Zoom link at the following URL.

For more information, contact Pam Dillon, Pharm.D., research liaison, at pmdillon@vcu.edu or (804) 827-1519 or visit https://zoom.us/j/94075867520?pwd=Vmp5bmxvcDIxbGpob0xTMjZhRG1Bdz09.

Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020 from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Sharon Zumbrunn, Ph.D., associate professor, VCU Foundations of Education, will explore how higher education can be the perfect ecosystem for breeding imposter syndrome dragons. She will offer strategies for slaying your own personal dragon. The talk will be hosted by You First at VCU. Many first-generation students feel like double-dealing tricksters, wondering, “Do I really belong here? We’re talking about smart people!" Why do so many first-generation students have impostery beliefs? Questions: https://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/YouFirst102920.

Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Storytelling and Healing and Active Minds will present a two-part exploration of student mental health narratives and artistic self-expression in healing. Students are invited to join via Zoom for an open discussion, reflection and creative exercises and from 6-7 p.m. Nov. 12 for a student presentation of artistic and written work. Submissions in any creative and narrative format will be accepted, including but not limited to testimonies, fiction or nonfiction pieces, poetry, musical compositions, visual media and more. Questions: storytellingandhealing@gmail.com. The Zoom link is https://vcu.zoom.us/j/97403531494. Students interested in submitting works should complete the application form at the following URL by Nov. 4.

For more information, contact Rachel Bastien at bastienrd@vcu.edu or visit https://forms.gle/2m4DJobB9W8gorRV9.

Friday, Oct. 30, 2020 from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

VCU's Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence will present a workshop on establishing national prominence. The session is geared to tenured associate professors and promotion to tenured full professor. Gypsy Denzine, Ph.D., will focus on strategies and tips for developing a national prominence narrative. Register for the Zoom link at the following URL.

For more information, contact Tiffany Freitas at freitast@vcu.edu or visit https://forms.gle/bo46vVSsEdepDzUr5.

Thursday, Nov. 5, 2020 at 11:30 a.m.

Everyone is protected by fair housing laws. Join VCU and VCUHS Human Resources and HOMEofVA to learn more about your rights in this virtual session. 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/.

Thursday, Nov. 5, 2020 from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

This training, led by a Canvas learning specialist, has been customized specifically for VCU faculty. Learn how to make Canvas courses more personalized by using best practices for interacting and engaging virtually with students. Register at the following URL, keyword "Canvas." For more training opportunities, visit the VCU Canvas website at https://go.vcu.edu/learn-canvas.

For more information, contact Eric Harvey at teharvey@vcu.edu or visit https://training.vcu.edu.

Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2020 from 10 a.m. to noon

Join Patrick Nana-Sinkam, M.D., of VCU Health and Rita Miller of the Virginia Department of Health for presentations, discussion and a call to action on lung health in African-American communities. The event will be hosted by the VCU C. Kenneth and Dianne Wright Center for Clinical and Translational Research. The Health Equity Series is a quarterly exploration and community discussion of health disparities from collaborating partners locally, in Virginia and nationwide. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Rachel Hunley at hunleyre2@vcu.edu or visit https://cctr.vcu.edu/health-equity/.

During Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October, VCU Police posted information and support resources on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. The department’s victim-witness officer, Ofc. Jasmine Merricks, is seeking feedback from VCU students, faculty and staff about what messages resonated with them throughout the month. Those who send in feedback will be entered into a raffle for $25 Barnes & Noble gift cards; feedback should be emailed to Ofc. Merricks at the following address.

For more information, contact Ofc. Jasmine Merricks at jnmerricks@vcu.edu or (804) 828-6356.

VCU Human Resources announces a new and improved version of employee self-service will take effect on Oct. 28. The new version retains the same features in a more user-friendly format. New features include the ability to see activities on your job(s) at VCU, employment dates and information for direct reports. There are no changes to how employees log into eServices.

For more information, contact VCU HR Information Systems at hrsecurity@vcu.edu or (804) 828-0177 or visit http://hr.vcu.edu.

Construction and related utility work at and around the VCU Health Adult Outpatient Pavilion and Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU building sites will affect traffic patterns on the MCV Campus. Visit the following URL for current information and updates.

For more information, contact Carrie Carroll at carrie.carroll@vcuhealth.org or visit https://www.vcuhealth.org/traffic.

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.