5 p.m.

Join faculty and staff from the VCU School of Nursing and VCU's da Vinci Center for Innovation to learn about the graduate certificate program that provides opportunities for students to advance their knowledge and skills at identifying problems and implementing solutions to foster high quality, safe and accessible health care. General information will be shared and a current student, Alison Montpetit, Ph.D., RN, will take part in a Q&A. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Lloyd Young at youngel3@vcu.edu or visit https://connect.business.vcu.edu/register/hc-feb.

Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

This CTLE and VCU Online workshop will explore the importance of social presence in online and remote instruction. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Tiffany Freitas at freitast@vcu.edu or visit https://forms.gle/VTE5u3CdvXgHgVVp7.

Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021 from noon to 1 p.m.

The Health and Wellness Library will host a Zoom session featuring Michelle Gossip, cardiology program manager, who will discuss common heart conditions and steps to take to maintain a healthy heart. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact K.J. Ricasata at ricasatakj@vcu.edu or (804) 828-2432 or visit https://vcu.libcal.com/event/7345161.

Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021 from noon to 1:30 p.m.

Wavelength, an online lecture series, is a collaboration between VCUarts, the ICA at VCU and VCUarts Qatar. This series brings together a dynamic group of artists, designers, curators and scholars. American Artist’s work considers black labor and visibility within networked life. Their practice makes use of video, installation, new media and writing. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Stephanie Stanton at stantons@vcu.edu or visit https://icavcu.org/events/wavelength-american-artist/.

Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021 from noon to 12:45 p.m.

Join the Office of Student Experience as guest speaker Paul Perrin, Ph.D., will discuss how national events influence patients of color and their perceptions of clinical care. Explore the policies and practices in non-health sectors that have impacts on health and health equity. The session is designed with health sciences students in mind. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Office of Student Experience at studentexp@vcu.edu or visit https://www.pubapps.vcu.edu/vphs/OSEReg/Form.aspx?EventTypeID=13.

Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Poetry Club will virtually hold its first event, an introduction to the club. Click on the following URL for the Zoom link.

For more information, contact Maheen Farooqi at farooqims@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.zoom.us/j/99428908072.

Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021 at 7 p.m.

The 10-year anniversary of the RTR Teacher Residency will be celebrated with a keynote address by Chris Emdin, Ph.D., the New York Times best-selling author of "For White Folks Who Teach in the Hood ... and the Rest of Y'all Too." Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Cheyanne Brown at browncl27@vcu.edu or (914) 310-3287 or visit http://bit.ly/RTRkeynote.

Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2021 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

VCU's C. Kenneth and Dianne Wright Center for Clinical and Translational Research will host the third of its K Award Seminar Series. Participants will be offered tips and tricks on how to construct the candidate section (background, career goals/objectives, career development/training and mentoring) for a K award while exploring its intersection with the research strategy. Ananda Amstadter, Ph.D., will speak. K Awards, which focus on career development, are designed to help scientists, physician-scientists and clinicians conduct research while working toward independence and competitiveness for major grants.

For more information, contact Rob DiRenzo at direnzor@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_tE6SidutRE6COqsZF4YOFw.

Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2021 from noon to 1 p.m.

VCU's Biomedical Engineering will host Angela Harrivel, Ph.D., LaRC ExMC Center Lead Exploration Medical Capability NASA Langley Research Center. Harrivel will discuss "Applications of BME and Human Performance Monitoring at NASA." Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Rene Olivares-Navarrete, Ph.D. at ronavarrete@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_CsE6fr28TH2fpAYsg4S0iw.

Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2021 at noon

VCU Human Resources and the Association of Financial Educators will host a session about the effects of tax cuts and jobs act. Learn how to remain in control no matter what happens with tax laws moving forward. Register in Talent at the following URL.

For more information, contact Cindi Phares at cphares@vcu.edu or (804) 828-1521 or visit https://bit.ly/3oIUJvW.

Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2021 from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Salma Omer, Ph.D., an undergraduate alumna of VCU's Initiative for Maximizing Student Development Scholars Program, will be featured in the center's monthly Alumni Spring Speaker Series. The series includes a diverse selection of alumni from the VCU Center on Health Disparities Research Training Programs. Speakers will discuss their experiences and career paths as underrepresented minorities in the biomedical sciences. Questions: https://healthdisparities.vcu.edu/. Click on the Zoom link at the following URL.

For more information, contact Khiana Meade at khiana.meade@vcuhealth.org or (804) 827-0719 or visit https://vcu.zoom.us/j/98731295826.

Thursday, Feb. 18, 2021 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

VCU's Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence invites faculty to join a new Faculty Learning Community Virtual Book Discussion Group. Introductions only at this session; no prior reading is necessary. The first book discussion will be held March 11. Discussions will also be held April 1 and April 22. The goal is to build community through discussion and engage the author's insights, strategies and critical reflections on transformational pedagogical practice in the university classroom. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Tiffany Freitas at freitast@vcu.edu or visit https://ctle.vcu.edu/initiatives/communities/.

Friday, Feb. 19, 2021 from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

VCU's School of World Studies will host a virtual public lecture by Manlio Graziano, Ph.D., who teaches Geopolitics and Geopolitics of Religion at Sciences Po and la Sorbonne, Paris, and at the Geneva Institute of Geopolitics. He has recently written "Geopolitics of International Relations in the 21st Century." VCU Associate Professor Bernardo Piciché, J.D., Ph.D., will offer a brief response. An audience Q&A will follow. Click on the following URL for the Zoom link.

For more information, contact Rohan Kalyan at rkkalyan@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.zoom.us/j/97787674704.

Sunday, Feb. 21, 2021 at 4 p.m.

Trombonist, composer and Jazz Studies Director Antonio Garcia will present his virtual Faculty Jazz Recital featuring Mary Hermann García, VCU Jazz Orchestra I, VCU Commonwealth Singers, VCU Greater Richmond High School Jazz Band and The Nashville Avenue Stompers. The free concert can be streamed at the following URL.

For more information, contact Antonio Garcia at ajgarcia@vcu.edu or visit https://go.vcu.edu/concerthall.

Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2021 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The VCU Office of Continuing and Professional Education is partnering with Kaplan Test Prep to offer students who are in the testing cycle or looking to start their MCAT prep in the next year an opportunity to participate in a free MCAT sample class. The session will be presented by MCAT veteran instructor Petros Minasi. Learn more about the MCAT structure, how to best prepare for the test, MCAT sample questions and get an overview of Kaplan resources. Questions: https://ocpe.vcu.edu/mcat. Register 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://liveclass.kaptest.com/WKGL210008.

Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021 from noon to 1 p.m.

VCU's C. Kenneth and Dianne Wright Center for Clinical and Translational Research will continue its grant-writing series with a session via Zoom. Amanda Hall, Ph.D., director of VCU's Community-Engaged Research, will discuss best practices for writing a grant impact statement that conveys the potential benefit to society of your research. Questions: http://www.cctr.vcu.edu. Register 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/tJ0scOGppj8tHNeOnrl8oTjq1l7z0iK6pB0g.

Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021 from 9 a.m. to noon

This Canvas training session for faculty will provide a deep dive into advanced gradebook features and how to utilize these with assignments, quizzes and other graded items. The presenter will also answer and discuss questions from those in attendance. An hourly agenda and link to register is available on the VCU Canvas website at the following URL.

For more information, contact Jamillah Martin at canvaslearn@vcu.edu or visit http://go.vcu.edu/learn-canvas/.

Friday, Feb. 26, 2021 from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Learn about the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs graduate programs and how they can help advance your career. Register for the virtual session at the following URL.

For more information, contact Ross Losapio at losapior@vcu.edu or visit http://bit.ly/WhyWilderInfo.

New online Canvas training sessions are scheduled and ready for registration. Academic Technologies has partnered with VCU Online to provide a full schedule of training covering a variety of Canvas topics. Training will be delivered by members of both teams who have prepared the university's Canvas environment and resources to smooth the transition. View the training schedule at the following URL.

For more information, contact Brianne Jackson at onlinepd@vcu.edu or visit https://go.vcu.edu/learn-canvas.

Human Resources will present "Retiring With the VCU Optional Retirement Plan." These sessions are open to VCU faculty and VCU University and Academic Professionals, not VCU Health System employees. Questions: Email VCU Benefits at benefits@vcu.edu. Register for this Zoom session at the following URL.

For more information, contact Alexis Hobbs at hobbsad@vcu.edu or (804) 827-1723 or visit https://vcu.csod.com/ui/lms-learning-details/app/event/c9921b6a-d526-48c3-ac2f-b5a913a231f0.

VCU Human Resources will present "How to Retire With the Virginia Retirement System" for VCU employees. These sessions are open to VCU employees only, not VCU Health System employees. Questions: Email benefits@vcu.edu. View upcoming sessions at the following URL.

For more information, contact Alexis Hobbs at hobbsad@vcu.edu or (804) 827-1723 or visit https://vcu.csod.com/ui/lms-learning-details/app/event/cf698494-7201-467a-8b5b-c8739911e503.

The annual call for nominations for the Distinguished Faculty Awards Program has been made. Since 1982, VCU has paid formal tribute at Convocation to members of the faculty. The categories include Distinguished Teaching Award, Distinguished Scholarship Award, Distinguished Service Award, Outstanding Early Career Faculty Award, Outstanding Term Faculty Award and University Award of Excellence. Criteria, timeline and nomination instructions may be found at the following URL.

For more information, contact the Office of the Provost at vpfacaffrs@vcu.edu or visit https://president.vcu.edu/nominations/.

The Awards and Grants Committee of the advising board is accepting nominations through March 12. Excellence in Advising categories include Primary Role, Faculty Advisor, Advising Administrator, Outstanding New Advisor and Outstanding Advising Advocate. Nominations may be submitted at the following URL.

For more information, contact Cabel Newton at newtonc2@vcu.edu or (804) 828-0499 or visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScH0hf8HW3nbNLOX5Gjq6F-SS5K2-b--py_Lnvi0FwQLdMb_w/viewform?gxids=7628.

Experiencing computer issues? FixIT, VCU’s on-campus computer repair resource, is located in Barnes and Noble, 1111 W. Broad St. inside RamTech. FixIT can assess and repair most computer brands from any retailer, including Apple and Dell. FixIT is authorized for in-warranty repairs. FixIT is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

For more information, contact Erinn Budd at fixitservice@vcu.edu or (804) 827-9334 or visit http://ramtech.vcu.edu.

VCUDine has modified dining hours and locations based on results from a recent survey of dining plan holders. Beginning Feb. 15, Hours will be changed at the following locations: Market 810, AVO, Cabell Starbucks, Au Bon Pain, Pizza Hut and Chili’s. Bleecker Street will return soon in M810. See the new hours at the following URL or follow @VCU_Dining on social.

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

Check out "WELLcome Back," the latest episode of What the Well? The episode, produced by the student staff of the Health Promotion and Well-Being Center, focuses on healthy singleness on V-Day, taking care of your mental health and New Year's resolutions. Find the podcast on most streaming platforms or at the following URL.

For more information, contact Kendyll Graham at grahamk4@vcu.edu or visit https://shows.acast.com/what-the-well/episodes/wellcome-back.

The Peer Health Educators at The Health Promotion and Well-Being Center (The Well) and University Counseling Service's Advocacy Program are offering the opportunity for Rams to express love and gratitude to one another. Send a virtual card at the following URL to show someone you're grateful for them.

For more information, contact Keyuna Patterson at pattersonk7@vcu.edu or visit https://forms.gle/oaFqWJEjyZk4rTLM7.