1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

This workshop, sponsored by VCU Online and VCU Learning Systems, is for faculty who want to learn how to transition their Blackboard courses to Canvas. Register at https://training.vcu.edu/course_detail.asp?ID=17683. An hour-long session will also be offered at 10 a.m. Dec. 17. Register at https://training.vcu.edu/course_detail.asp?ID=17684. Join either session via Zoom at https://vcu.zoom.us/j/96890108620.

For more information, contact Ginny Thompson at vthompson5@vcu.edu.

8 a.m.

The VCUarts Faculty Lecture Series launched in fall 2020 as an opportunity for faculty to share their research and creative works with the wider community. Through lectures on interdisciplinary collaboration, research and culture and innovative practices, the series is intended to inspire conversation and passionate debate. Questions: http://arts.vcu.edu. View the lectures on YouTube at the following URL.

For more information, contact Teresa Ilnicki at engleta@vcu.edu or visit https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5N8P5n16iHtF_Y9kwdX874LAV-uIM6fq.

Monday, Jan. 11, 2021 from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

The Commons will host a virtual RamsConnect Training: Tracks, Checklists and Badging. The training will explore these functions in depth and review common use cases with a representative from CampusGroups. Faculty, staff and students who are interested in expanding their virtual toolkits through RamsConnect are encouraged to attend. Register in RamsConnect at the following URL.

For more information, contact Laura O'Brien at lbobrien@vcu.edu or (804) 840-6220 or visit http://cglink.me/r899645.

Thursday, Jan. 14, 2021 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The Center for Psychological Services and Development at VCU is beginning its Spring Adult Anxiety Group on Zoom. This 12-week group helps members target anxiety-related concerns by learning specific coping skills. Questions: cpsd@vcu.edu.

For more information, contact Scott Vrana at srvrana@vcu.edu or visit https://anxietyclinic.vcu.edu/.

Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021 from noon to 1 p.m.

VCU's C. Kenneth and Dianne Wright Center for Clinical and Translational Research and VCU's Health Sciences Library will present the next session of its "Whetting Your Appetite for Research" via Zoom. Stacey Wahl, Ph.D., research and education librarian, will discuss scholarly profiles that can be used to track individual scientific progress, find information about contributions to science and display work for grant reviewers. 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/meeting/register/tJMkd-6gpjsoHdVCG6dAixK2tBEdsIjVR_Cs.

The Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration returns to VCU for the eighth year from Jan. 17-Jan. 23. Organizations can submit event information via the following URL to the VCU Office of Institutional Equity, Effectiveness and Success for inclusion on the VCU MLK Week Events website.

For more information, contact VCU Office of Institutional Equity, Effectiveness and Success at inclusive@vcu.edu or visit https://forms.gle/598Vr1sXGgXLgnE56.

Part of the mission of the VCU Alumni African American Alumni Council is to promote and contribute to the recruitment and retention of African American students. The AAAC’s Mentoring Circle is seeking VCU African American alumni to serve as mentors to VCU students for the 2020-21 academic year.

For more information, contact Larry Powell, B.S.’85/MC, at wlpowell@vcu.edu or visit http://go.vcu.edu/mentoringcircle.

In partnership with the Department of Rehabilitation Counseling, VCU's Office of Continuing and Professional Education is offering registration for a new Counseling and Behavioral Health Continuing Education Program. The modules offer flexible and convenient self-paced online learning around a variety of topics, including understanding suicide risk and trauma, alcohol use and addiction and cultural competency. View a full list and select and register by topic 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 http://go.vcu.edu/behavioralhealth.

Are you looking for discount tickets to Busch Gardens? Luray Caverns? Discounts on pet insurance? Verizon Fios? VCU employees are eligible for a variety of services and discounts. Visit the following URL to see the full list of discounts and get discount codes.

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

Many of VCU’s faculty and staff are also first-generation graduates, meaning they were among the first in their families to earn a bachelor’s degree. About 90 are listed on the You First at VCU website. Students can browse the list to see if they know anyone. First-gen faculty or staff who wish to be included in the list should email the following address.

For more information, contact Elizabeth Bambacus at youfirst@vcu.edu or visit https://youfirst.vcu.edu/resources/faculty-and-staff/.

VCU's Honors College invites faculty to participate in the Berglund Seminar and Diverse Conversations Series. The series engages honors students with a variety of topics and current events. It is also an opportunity for faculty to highlight research, practice for an upcoming conference or spread the word about a course they will be teaching. Speakers are asked to sign up using the Google Form at the following URL. All spring events will be virtual.

For more information, contact Jared Johnson at jajohnson4@vcu.edu or visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1_XpOYkMR27i9AmonpxN3nYUfVb5sVZr1j1MHtYqHqzo/edit.

VCU's Honors College is requesting proposals for fall 2021 courses and modules (five-week courses). Submit a proposal at the following URL by Jan. 15.

For more information, contact Jared Johnson at jajohnson4@vcu.edu or visit https://honors.vcu.edu/for-faculty/teach-honors/.

VCU Libraries, in support of open and affordable course materials across the VCU community, announces that a new round of VIVA Open Course Grants is open for applications. These $2,000 to $30,000 grants empower Virginia faculty with the resources and time they need to redesign courses by swapping expensive course materials for open, no cost, or library options. Applications are due Feb. 23.

For more information, contact Sue Robinson at srobinson26@vcu.edu or visit https://www.library.vcu.edu/about/news/2020-news/viva-grants.html.

Does your degree require a fine arts credit? If you would like to play in a concert band, consider University Band APPM-357. University Band meets every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 3-3:50 p.m. Students will receive one credit upon successful completion of the course. No audition is required and enrollment is open to all VCU students, faculty and staff.

For more information, contact Duane Coston at costonpd@vcu.edu or (804) 240-7974.