Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2021 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Join VCU Human Resources and TIAA and learn the rules governing retirement assets and find out when to consider using different income sources. Questions: https://hr.vcu.edu/current-employees/worklife/. Register for the online session 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://hr.vcu.edu/current-employees/worklife/.

Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2021 from noon to 2 p.m.

VCU Police will host its 11th annual chili cook-off in Rodney’s at the Shafer Court Dining Center, 810 Cathedral Place. The event will feature chefs and judges from across VCU. For a $5 entry fee, guests can taste various chili recipes, receive a bowl of their favorite and vote for the one they like best. Guests can also enter a $5 raffle for VCU Men's basketball tickets. Masking and social distancing will be in effect. All proceeds will benefit FRIENDS Association for Children in Richmond.

For more information, contact Cheri Stickels at cdsticke@vcu.edu .

Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2021 from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.

VCU's Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence will present a virtual workshop on the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning. Lindsay Wheeler, Ph.D., University of Virginia, will be guest speaker. Participants will become familiar with references and resources to learn more about conducting SoTL in their own classrooms. Register for the Zoom link at the following URL.

For more information, contact Tiffany Freitas at freitast@vcu.edu or visit https://forms.gle/S5zjQD87rfi4tUsq9.

Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2021 from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.

VCU University Academic Advising will present Myriam Kadeba, Ph.D., director of the university's Office of Multicultural Student Affairs, as she shares the importance of mental health within the Black student experience. The virtual event is open to all students and staff. Register for the Zoom link at the following URL.

For more information, contact Shelley Bowers at bowers22@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMofu-rqz0rHtEZmoSDt502Q62V0yj5ri3Z.

Thursday, Nov. 4, 2021 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

VCU Learning Systems will lead an overview of how students are enrolled in Canvas courses and how multiple course sections can be merged into one course. Participants will also learn how to use Canvas groups and how to manage a merged course. This training is free and has no cancellation penalty. Questions: https://learningsystems.vcu.edu/. Register at the following URL (keyword: Canvas).

For more information, contact Jamillah Martin at canvaslearn@vcu.edu or visit https://training.vcu.edu.

Thursday, Nov. 4, 2021 from 11 a.m. to noon

Panel members Patricia Shazer, assistant director of payments, Office of Procurement Services; Monica Jackson, director, Financial Services, University Controller's Office; and Candy Gordon, associate director, Financial Management, Office of the Provost, will speak about their departments, career paths and the types of skills they are looking for in individuals they would hire and the skills that are needed to be successful in their roles. Panelists will also talk about positions that are currently open. Register in Talent at https://vcu.csod.com/ui/lms-learning-details/app/event/f6490c97-d44e-4bed-99e2-8ed65aed1e5f for the Zoom link at the following URL.

For more information, contact Anne Brown at azielinski@vcu.edu or visit https://zoom.us/j/92658036051?pwd=eUF1WFlkTDJQQjF4ZFlyRlhmLzgydz09.

Thursday, Nov. 4, 2021 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

VCU Phi Delta Chapter of Omega Psi Phi and the American Red Cross will sponsor a blood drive upstairs in the Ballroom of the University Student Commons, 907 Floyd Ave. All donors will receive a free T-shirt, free cookie coupon and a $10 Amazon e-gift card. Make an online appointment at the following URL.

For more information, contact Katie Miller at katherine.miller2@redcross.org or (804) 774-9739 or visit https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/drive-results?zipSponsor=VCU.

Thursday, Nov. 4, 2021 at noon

While some of us may have never left the office, it has been some time since many of us have been in a full office setting together and it may take some time before we settle back into what is considered standard office conduct. Join CommonHealth for this virtual "Return to the Office" program for tips on transitioning and returning to the office.

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

Monday, Nov. 8, 2021 from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

How important is your racial identity to you? Do you wonder how that differs for others? Engage with students, faculty and staff in an upcoming RAMmalogues session about race and ethnicity. Share your experience navigating our racialized society and bear witness to what others have to share in open dialogue. RAMmalogues is a space for intercultural, multigenerational and community-wide dialogues around who we are and what matters to us. The session will be in Room 250, James Branch Cabell Library, 901 Park Ave. All students, staff and faculty are invited, but registration is limited to 25. Questions: https://inclusive.vcu.edu/iexcel/rammalogues/. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Jan Altman, Ph.D., at iexcel@vcu.edu or visit https://training.vcu.edu/course.aspx?processFlag=2&itemID=17875.

Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021 from 10 a.m. to noon

This workshop is a follow-up to the course "Understanding Unconscious Bias." This virtual session encourages participants to explore personal bias and use the PAUSE method to address it. The goal is to provide practical tools for VCU populations to interrupt unconscious biases. Register for the Zoom link at the following URL.

For more information, contact Shana Ryman at sryman@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.csod.com/ui/lms-learning-details/app/event/e04e6a80-3d6f-4da0-a8b3-7935ca3006ea.

Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021 at 4:30 p.m.

Start any semester online and gain your add-on endorsement as a Reading Specialist. The VCU Reading program offers several degrees, Post-master's Certificate for Reading Specialist (for those who have a master's degree) and M.Ed. in Reading, K-12 Reading Specialist (for those who need to earn a master's degree), that lead to adding the Reading Specialist K-12 endorsement to an initial Virginia teaching license. The informational session will be held in Room 2116, Oliver Hall, 1015 W. Main St., and online. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Jazmin Tilfas at soeinfo@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJItcO2tqDstHtPxmxVCWHGd215SZoHwczWh.

Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021 at 5 p.m.

History teachers are at the heart of civic engagement and helping students find their voice. How do young people make sense of such confusing times? The role of secondary social studies teachers is more crucial now than at any time in recent history. This session, hosted by VCU's School of Education, will be held in person in Room 2116, Oliver Hall, 1015 W. Main St., and also online. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Jazmin Tilfas at soeinfo@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0rdOGrrjMjGdCncUipl3_BDSYhvJqrDfm7.

Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021 at 7:30 p.m.

Come to West Grace Street Student Housing – North, 830 W. Grace St., to join in a conversation with Diversity Ambassadors about navigating visibility in the transgender community. Questions: Email Nana Ferdnance at the following address or Noura Allen at allennc@vcu.edu.

For more information, contact Nana Ferdnance at ferdnancena@vcu.edu.

Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2021 at noon

Faculty members are requested to participate in a one-hour focus group about shared governance at VCU. A team of doctoral students in the Ed Leadership Program in the VCU School of Education is conducting a study seeking to learn more about how faculty at VCU understand and perceive shared governance. If you would like to take part in a focus group in November, please fill out the Google survey at the following URL by Nov. 5.

For more information, contact Melissa Tyler at mtyler@vcu.edu or visit https://forms.gle/PQwRYdMsGYjNYvw86.

Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2021 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

VCU's Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence will present a virtual workshop on engaging students through team- and project-based learning. Learn more about the design thinking process and how to facilitate a workshop in your own courses. Register for the Zoom link at the following URL.

For more information, contact Tiffany Freitas at freitast@vcu.edu or visit https://forms.gle/qvV3q9hReLu6xQjm9.

Would you like to feel more comfortable leading dialogue about difference? Apply now to learn about inclusive dialogue and to practice and increase your skills in leading inclusive dialogue about our diverse social identities. IExcel is accepting applications now for its new Diversity and Inclusion Facilitator Training, led by Tamisha Williams. Participants will reflect on identity, practice deep listening and discuss ways to address tension and conflict, among other core facilitation skills. Selected facilitators who opt for the RAMmalogues Facilitator Track will earn $500 and commit to co-facilitating RAMmalogues sessions (at least once per semester through 2022). All staff, students and faculty are invited to apply for training. Questions: Visit https://inclusive.vcu.edu/iexcel/rammalogues/ or the RAMmalogues website. Apply at the following URL by Nov. 19.

For more information, contact Jan Altman, Ph.D., at iexcel@vcu.edu or visit https://forms.gle/wTbMXkMzvULZAA4u9.