5:30 p.m.

Understanding how to protect your skin from the sun will help prevent the development of skin cancer, the abnormal growth of skin cells that most often develop on skin that has been exposed to the sun. Lydia Johnson, M.D., a dermatologist at VCU Health, will discuss steps to protect your skin and advanced screening technology and treatment options for patients at high risk of or diagnosed with skin cancer. This event will stream live on VCU Massey Cancer Center's Facebook page at facebook.com/VCUMasseyCancerCenter.

For more information, contact Blake Belden at beldenba@vcu.edu or visit https://events.vcu.edu/details.asp?myVal=75884.

Friday, May 7, 2021 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

VCU Human Resources will offer a virtual Benefits and Wellness Fair for university faculty and staff through May 7. Highlights for May 7 will include live presentations by Securian Life Insurance, Wells Fargo, T-Mobile and Nationwide Pet Insurance. See full details, including a schedule and giveaways, at the following URL.

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

Saturday, May 8, 2021 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Join Yara Shahidi, actress/producer/advocate, for an online webinar to be hosted by VCU's Activities Programming Board and the Commons. Shahidi’s TV and movie work includes "grown-ish," "black-ish," "Salt" and "Alex Cross." Born Feb. 10, 2000, in Minneapolis, Minn., she recently landed a producer role to bring Cole Brown’s book "Greyboy: Finding Blackness in a White World” to TV. Find Yara on Instagram @yarashahidi. Register in advance on RamsConnect at the following URL.

For more information, contact Bria Taylor at taylorbc7@vcu.edu or visit http://cglink.me/2dV/r1094555.

Saturday, May 8, 2021 at 7 p.m.

The Trauma Center at VCU Health will host its annual Shining Knight Gala to recognize dozens of team members for their role in saving the life of a trauma patient. Proceeds will benefit the injury and violence prevention programs at VCU Medical Center. Questions: https://www.vcuhealth.org/support-vcu-health/events/shining-knight-gala/event-details or email Amanda Van Thunen at Amanda.VanThunen@vcuhealth.org. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Dedrain Davis at didavis@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJIsf-Gppz0tH9xqpv62KCY0syU5TmEMiR-T.

Monday, May 10, 2021 from noon to 1 p.m.

Ashlee Loughan, M.Ed., Ph.D., assistant professor of neurology, will present her research into mental health interventions for patients with a brain cancer diagnosis. The Discovery Dialogues seminar will be hosted by VCU's C. Kenneth and Dianne Wright Center for Clinical and Translational 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/tJEsf-GqqDwqEtVS1_LZPWFFeHheK3bJVVb_.

Tuesday, May 11, 2021 at 10 a.m.

Speakers will discuss current maternal and child health research and statewide initiatives that improve the health delivery system for mothers and their children. The session, hosted by VCU's C. Kenneth and Dianne Wright Center for Clinical and Translational Research, will feature Kenesha Smith Barber, Ph.D., Va. Dept. of Health, and Amy Paulson, M.P.H., Eastern Virginia Medical School, and will be moderated by Alethia Watford, M.S.W., LCSW, clinical social worker at VCU Health and the Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Lauren Harris at cctrhlthdis@vcu.edu or visit https://cctr.vcu.edu/events/health-equity-series/.

Friday, May 14, 2021 from noon to 12:30 p.m.

This session will be a slower 30-minute practice focused on active stretching of muscles and opening of connective tissue. Release built-up tension, prevent injury, increase blood flow to muscles and increase long-term flexibility. No equipment is required, though a yoga mat is recommended. This class is hosted by VCU Human Resources and VCU Recreational Sports. Questions: https://hr.vcu.edu/current-employees/worklife/. Register in Talent@VCU or at the following URL.

For more information, contact Cindi Phares at cphares@vcu.edu or (804) 828-1521 or visit https://bit.ly/32MB4Ts.

Tuesday, May 18, 2021 from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

VCU's Black Education Association will sponsor a workshop with the virtual keynote address “The New Normal: Life After COVID-19.” VCU and VCUHS Staff are encouraged to attend. Questions: http://bea.vcu.edu. Register (required) at the following URL.

For more information, contact Marquita Aguilar at mcaguila@vcu.edu or (804) 828-1200 or visit https://tinyurl.com/VCUProfessionalStaff.

Thursday, Jun. 3, 2021 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

VCU's Center for Corporate Education at the School of Business will present an online workshop to focus on the benefits of a coaching conversation. Learn helpful tools to shift the conversation from managing to coaching. The registration fee is $40. The session is part of its Level Up Learning series. Questions: corp-ed@vcu.edu. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Carrie Hawes at cjhawes@vcu.edu or visit http://go.vcu.edu/corped.

Wednesday, Jun. 16, 2021 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

The VCU Office of Continuing and Professional Education will present its first session as part of this year's 3rd Wednesdays FREE Community Series. Join Catherine MacDonald with VCU Gerontology to talk about how social connectedness and social isolation can impact health: physically, mentally, emotionally, and cognitively – no matter what age. Learn about the science behind these health effects, how to strengthen social health and help others. 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 https://ocpe.vcu.edu/community.

Because students are out later in the evenings to study for finals, VCU's Police Department has increased patrols for RMC Events security officers from 9 p.m.-3 a.m. on the Monroe Park Campus. Security officers will patrol on foot in areas near Cabell Library and the University Student Commons. VCU Police can be reached at any time by calling (804) 828-1234 (Ext. 81234 from a campus phone) or by using the LiveSafe app.

For more information, contact VCU Police at policedept@vcu.edu or (804) 828-1234 or visit https://police.vcu.edu/stay-safe/.

On May 7, VCU will recognize the new building names for seven de-commemorated buildings on its Monroe Park and MCV campuses. Building managers, administrators, IT managers, website editors, purchasers and others directly involved are asked to ensure all necessary physical, technological and operational changes are made by May 7. Visit the following URL for the list of de-commemorated buildings.

For more information, contact VCU Facilities Management at askFMD@vcu.edu or visit https://fmd.vcu.edu/buildings-de-commemoration/.

The Transforming Accessibility Initiative is a collaborative of individuals and teams dedicated to inclusion and access for individuals with disabilities. The initiative offers expertise, assistance and resources to plan or otherwise support high-impact events. TAI is seeking a few individuals to contribute to the initiative's team. Applicants are welcome who identify with a disability and/or wish to be allies. The interest form is available at the following URL.

For more information, contact Kristian Carden at kcarden@vcu.edu or visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfdJ3zBnz18YvmaCPUxfiseawFrn5lxrtCWUw6-VUQgZ2HUDg/viewform?usp=sf_link.

Digital badges are web-enabled versions of a credential, certification or learning outcome that can be shared and verified in real-time, online. Learn more about the benefits of digital badges and how to demonstrate your skills in a new way. View VCU's current badge collections at the following URL.

For more information, contact VCU Office of Continuing and Professional Education at badging@vcu.edu or (804) 828-1322 or visit https://ocpe.vcu.edu/badges.

VCU's Office of Continuing and Professional Education, in partnership with the School of World Studies, will hold live online Cultural Competency and Language Classes for VCU and VCU Health employees and community members for one academic credit. Courses begin the week of Aug. 23 and run through early December. Introduction to Conversational German I, Italian I and Spanish I and II will be available, in addition to Intermediate Spanish I. Contact Human Resources for tuition benefit or education assistance eligibility. 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 https://ocpe.vcu.edu/languages.

The All of Us Research Program at the National Institutes of Health is inviting more than a million people across the United States to help build one of the most diverse health databases of its kind. VCU has partnered with the NIH and All of Us to help patients at VCU Health contribute to that database. People who join will give information about their health, habits and where they live. By looking for patterns, researchers may learn more about what affects people’s health.

For more information, contact Jackie Kruszewski at allofus@vcu.edu or visit https://www.joinallofus.org/VCU.