3 p.m. to 4 p.m.

First-generation students are aware of the hard work, determination and sacrifices necessary in pursuit of the American Dream. The trade-offs, including relationships with family and friends, community ties and self-identities, are often neglected in the traditional narrative of “success.” Ching-Yu Huang, Ph.D., and Camdyn Stewart will discuss the ethical costs of upward mobility and how to acknowledge and accept these costs as part of our journey. Questions: http://youfirst.vcu.edu. Click on the following URL for the Zoom link.

For more information, contact Elizabeth Bambacus at bambacuses@vcu.edu or (804) 827-3927 or visit http://bit.ly/YouFirstPresents040121.

5:30 p.m.

Mariah Williams, director of policy and research at Housing Opportunities Made Equal of Virginia, will discuss her work as an urban planner and researcher at an event to be hosted by the Urban Studies Student Organization. Questions: Email T.J. Boyce at boycetj@mymail.vcu.edu.

For more information, contact Jacqueline Stephens at stephensjl2@mymail.vcu.edu or visit https://rampages.us/ussavcu/.

7 p.m.

VCU's Department of English will host an event via Zoom featuring readings by Rachel Beanland ("Florence Adler Swims Forever"), Brian Castleberry ("New Shiny Objects"), Laura Davenport ("Dear Vulcan"), Tarfia Faizullah ("Registers of Illuminated Villages") and Rose Szabo ("What Big Teeth"). Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Kelsey Cappiello at cappiellokn@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_tMjHXReeRdS_0-CLC_6zpQ.

7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

VCU's Richard T. Robertson School of Media and Culture will host a virtual speaker series event with Ken Marcus, senior writer at The Martin Agency. Register for the Zoom webinar at the following URL.

For more information, contact Marcus Messner at mmessner@vcu.edu or visit https://robertson.vcu.edu/news/speaker-series-with-ken-marcus-of-the-martin-agency.html.

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

The Pace Center will host a reflective conversation on anti-Asian violence and dealing with ongoing aggression. Register on RamsConnect at the following URL.

For more information, contact Noelani Christy at christyne2@mymail.vcu.edu or visit https://www.thepacecenter.com/community-conversations.

Friday, Apr. 2, 2021 from 11 a.m. to noon

VCU Career Services advisors are offering multiple sessions based on industry and/or specialty. This session will include questions and answers on health careers. Register in Handshake at the following URL.

For more information, contact Haley Sims at careers@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.joinhandshake.com/events/704916/share_preview.

Friday, Apr. 2, 2021 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

VCU's Counseling Services Advocacy Program will present a virtual night of healing and community for survivors of sexual assault. Hear survivors from across Virginia tell their stories of resilience, hope and healing. Note that speakers are set and viewers will not be on camera. Register for the Zoom link at the following URL.

For more information, contact Dana Vandervelde at myoptions@vcu.edu or visit http://tinyurl.com/tbtn2021.

Monday, Apr. 5, 2021 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Interested in being featured in VCU’s "Make It Real" advertising campaign? VCU University Relations will conduct an open casting call and photo shoot at the Compass. The first 50 students will receive a $20 gift card. A valid VCU V# is required. University-established COVID guidelines will be followed at this outdoor event. (Rain date will be 10 a.m.-2 p.m. April 7.)

For more information, contact Shannon Cain at urvidpho@vcu.edu.

Wednesday, Apr. 7, 2021 from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

This session with artist, activist and educator Emily Sara, whose work intersects at the crossroads between disability and design, will cover practical strategies for addressing accessibility needs while looking at design innovations developed by artists with disabilities. The event will be hosted by the VCU Libraries Workshop.

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.

Thursday, Apr. 8, 2021 from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Leila Christenbury, Ed.D, talks about how getting children excited about reading is a critical step toward academic success and life-long learning. Questions: https://www.library.vcu.edu/about/events/2020-2021/community-zooms.html or email libdevelop@vcu.edu. Register for the Zoom link at the following URL.

For more information, contact Gregory Kimbrell at kimbrellgg@vcu.edu or (804) 393-2951 or visit https://forms.gle/RDxaKxY4opJEk6iJ9.

Saturday, Apr. 10, 2021 at 8 a.m.

VCU's Bioinformatics Graduate Student Organization and Society of Bioinformatics will host "BNFOthon" April 10 and 11. Sign up for a virtual immersive experience networking with other students and designing innovative solutions to real-world problems. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Bioinformatics Graduate Student Organization at bgso@vcu.edu or visit https://forms.gle/z3eYkPcJHCWz4e6c8.

Friday, Apr. 16, 2021 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Alpha Kappa Delta, International Sociology Honor Society will host a social activism panel featuring Richmond community leaders at its induction ceremony. Panelists will include Chelsea Higgs Wise, Omari Al-Qadaffi and Zenobia Bey, who will discuss personal experiences in social justice and community organizing. Questions: Email Alexandra Quezada at arquezada@vcu.edu. Click on the following URL for the Zoom link.

For more information, contact Alice Quach at quacham@mymail.vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.zoom.us/j/98376573164.

Monday, Apr. 19, 2021 at 5 p.m.

VCU's Center for Interprofessional Education and Collaborative Care announces the call for nominees for the Seventh Annual Excellence in Interprofessionalism Recognition Award.  This award serves to recognize full-time VCU students graduating in 2021, as well as full-time faculty members who have worked at VCU for less than five years who have demonstrated significant involvement and interest in promoting interprofessional activities.  Nominations and self-nominations will be accepted at the following URL before the close of business on April 19. Nominees are asked to include a letter of recommendation from a faculty member who is familiar with their involvement in interprofessional activities.  Questions: Email the Center for Interprofessional Education at ipecenter@vcu.edu.

For more information, contact Melissa Burton at mhburton@vcu.edu or (804) 828-2898 or visit https://forms.gle/6asHAvggtonedr44A.

VCU Technology Services is now sending a weekly summary of individual spam quarantines. Expect these weekly on Friday.

For more information, contact Doctor Gee at drgee@vcu.edu or visit https://collaborate.vcu.edu/security-privacy/spam--phishing/#d.en.439861.

VCU Career Services and Alumni Relations will present a series of events designed to connect students and alumni with employers, information and opportunities to support professional development. Attend as many events as desired in the areas of arts, media and communications, health care, public and social service, STEM and even a Create Your Own Adventure. Visit Handshake to register for events (search "Career Week").

For more information, contact Monique Sample at hirevcurams@vcu.edu or visit https://careers.vcu.edu/career-fairs---events/careerweek/.

RamTech, VCU’s on-campus technology store, is celebrating its seventh birthday through April 7 with giveaways every day on Instagram @RamTechVCU and a grand prize of a MacBook. Those who spend $200 on tech will receive a free Grande Starbucks beverage at the Barnes & Noble @ VCU Café. Follow @RamTechVCU for details and a chance to win.

For more information, contact Erinn Budd at budde@vcu.edu or (804) 828-8324 or visit http://ramtech.vcu.edu.

VCU's Shafer Court Dining Center has a number of special events planned for April. They include National Grilled Cheese Day, April 12, 11 a.m.-close; Plant Forward Earth Days at Shafer and AVO, April 20-22, see hours of operation; Surf & Turf Special, April 22, 11 a.m.-close; and National Pretzel Day, April 26, 11 a.m.-close. Questions: Follow @VCU_Dining.

For more information, contact Lauren Hay at dining@vcu.edu or visit http://vcu.campusdish.com.

This is a community-engagement research study to determine the role of genetics in predicting the risk of cardiovascular diseases in Filipino Americans. Also, the study is investigating the role of genetics in the response to medications among Filipino Americans. Additional details are available at the following URL.

For more information, contact Youssef Roman at romany2@vcu.edu or visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeRhUgJDAKRZasSJprwRikZ_0dvMRjVuUl65-_6Z4n0l_MIIw/viewform?usp=sf_link.