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 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.

Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2021 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Learn to use the tools to articulate your own, unique ideas in the style of your discipline. The Zoom link for the workshop is hosted on the center's events page at the following URL.

For more information, contact Trey Burnart Hall at hallbr@vcu.edu or visit https://writing.vcu.edu/events/.

Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2021 from 4:30 p.m. to 5:15 p.m.

Learn about the da Vinci Center's undergraduate certificates at an online informational workshop. The session will focus on the definition of a certificate and da Vinci's programs in product innovation, venture creation and human-centered design. The discussion will also include how the programs can fit into individual academic plans. Register for the Zoom link at the following URL.

For more information, contact Lloyd Young at youngel3@vcu.edu or visit https://connect.business.vcu.edu/register/ug-nov3.

Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2021 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

VCU's Brandcenter will host a free event open to anyone interested in working at the intersection of branding and sports. A virtual panel with former college athletes and professionals working at athletic brands will discuss career paths and share personal experiences. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Rachel Ensing at ensingr@vcu.edu or (804) 828-8384 or visit http://bit.ly/branding_sportsf21.

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 from 3:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Interested in mental health care, counseling or a related field? Join VCU Career Services’ Employer Showcase via Zoom to connect with and learn about the work of Prince William Family Counseling, an outpatient mental health care center. Hear from a representative with the organization, learn about their services as well as employment and career opportunities and find out what they look for in an applicant. Register for the presentation and Q&A at the following URL.

For more information, contact Aimee Selleck at selleckap@vcu.edu or (804) 827-0409 or visit https://vcu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwpdOuqrDkuGtUb4Rh0xJVDMcbqMkL2cOZR.

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 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.

Are you above 18, Black/African American identifying and a current VCU student? Consider participating in our study exploring mental health literacy, behaviors and outcomes among Black college students via an online 20-minute survey. Participants have the option to enter a drawing for one of four $25 egift cards. Principal Investigator is Chelsea Williams, Ph.D., Department of Psychology.

For more information, contact Chloe Walker at walkercj6@vcu.edu.

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.