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Today

This week

Join VCU's Transfer Center for Transfer Tuesdays in Room 250, James Branch Cabell Library, 901 Park Ave. Come to this open study session to work on whatever you need to and meet other transfer students. These sessions will continue throughout the fall semester. For more information, contact Elizabeth Heck at ebheck@vcu.edu or visit http://transfer.vcu.edu.

The Health Sciences Library, 509 N. 12th St., invites all new and returning students and new faculty to visit and explore the library, Makerspace and Special Collections and Archives at their open house. Learn about library resources and services available in the building and virtually from anywhere you’re working or studying. Meet the staff and librarians assigned to your health sciences schools and programs. For more information, contact Sue Moss at mosssr2@vcu.edu or (804) 838-3737.

VCU's Office of Alumni Relations invites you to VCU Link Fest Ram Roundup at the Compass, where you can connect with alumni who are ready to support you with career exploration and building your professional network on VCU Link. For more information, contact Sharron McDaniel (B.S.W.’17), mentoring coordinator, at mcdanielst@vcu.edu.

Attention first-year students: The transition to college can be tough, especially in the classroom. Hear from all of VCU's nationally known academic resources in one virtual space. Leaders from the Campus Learning Center (think tutoring and academic coaching), University Academic Advising (think registering for classes) and the Writing Center (think support for anything you might need to write) will share all the information you need. Register at the following URL. For more information, contact Jonathan Fuller at fullerjd2@vcu.edu or visit https://cglink.me/2dV/r1933868.

Meet current students as they reflect on what they wish they had known before their first semester of college. The session, hosted by VCU's Campus Learning Center's Peer Academic Coaches, will be in Room B14, Hibbs Hall, 900 Park Ave. For more information, contact Bridget Prince at bprince@vcu.edu.

Calling all sophomores. Design thinking is helpful in tackling thorny, questions that don’t have one right answer. Feeling unsure about exactly what you want during your time at VCU? Did your plans change recently? This workshop, co-hosted by First and Second Year Experiences and the da Vinci Center, will provide an overview of the design-thinking framework and give you a chance to practice some of the techniques for your next year at VCU. Register at the following URL. For more information, contact Jonathan Fuller at fullerjd2@vcu.edu or visit https://cglink.me/2dV/r1933384.

Learn practical tips and resources from veteran graduate students about successfully getting through the first year of graduate school. Whether you are an international student, parent or older student returning to school, this virtual session will give you tools to make you feel ready to take on graduate school head on. Register for this virtual lunch-and-learn-style workshop on RamsConnect at the following URL. For more information, contact Erin Brown at embbrown@vcu.edu or visit https://cglink.me/2dV/r1933343.

VCU Academic Technologies will host two live, online, 30-minute overviews of Canvas for students during Weeks of Welcome. Students will learn how to login and navigate Canvas to complete class assignments, projects and more. Join us on Wednesday, Aug. 28 (2-2:30 p.m.) or Wednesday, Sept. 4 (11:30 a.m.-noon). Register at the following URL. For more information, contact Jana Avery at jcavery@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.campusgroups.com/Tech/CanvasTraining/.

Take part in a student scavenger hunt at the STEM Building, 817 W. Franklin St., that will take you to all six floors as you follow the clues. You could win gift certificates to local restaurants and shops, VCU swag and more. The hunt will be hosted by the College of Humanities and Sciences. Register at the following URL. For more information, contact Alexis Finc at alfinc@vcu.edu or visit https://chs.vcu.edu/welcome-back/.

Are you fascinated by creating solutions to complex problems? Have you always wanted to start a business or nonprofit? Learn about the undergraduate certificates at the da Vinci Center. Learn exactly what a certificate is and programs in product innovation and venture creation as well as classes in human-centered design and how they can fit individual academic plans. Register for this virtual session at the following URL. For more information, contact Mary Chris Escobar at escobarmc@vcu.edu or visit https://davincicenter.vcu.edu/news--events/.

Coming up

Do you receive a Pell grant? Do you know you can be awarded up to $5,000 to study abroad? Join VCU Global Learning and the National Scholarship Office for the biannual Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship Writing Workshop. This workshop is designed to help maximize your chances of receiving this nationally competitive scholarship. The session will be held in the SGA Senate Chambers, University Student Commons, 907 Floyd Ave., and will also be available via Zoom at https://vcu.zoom.us/j/87865217792 For more information, contact Alex Heyden at levya@vcu.edu or (804) 828-5794 or visit https://vcu.campusgroups.com/eduabroad/rsvp_boot?id=1933183.

Join the UNStoppable VCU Liver Team for the Liver Life Walk at William Byrd Park. 600 S. Arthur Ashe Blvd. This American Liver Foundation event provides participants an opportunity to come together and raise awareness and funds in support of the liver community. Registration is free through Wednesday, Aug. 28. On Aug. 29, a $20 fee will be implemented for walkers 18+ and up. Register or donate at the following URL. Select to join the VCU team as you register. For more information, contact Sarah McCall at Sarah.McCall@vcuhealth.org or visit https://liverlifewalk.org/virginia/.

Notices

Hourly Research Assistant Opportunity

The Research in Athletes and Military Health Sciences is seeking an hourly research assistant for a research study related to musculoskeletal health and development among adolescent patients. This individual will assist with study organization and scheduling, data collection and timely project completion. Applicants will need to dedicate 10 hours per week to this position for about 48 weeks (Anticipated start date is September 2024). Apply at the following URL. For more information, contact Alexandra Lempke at alexandra.lempke@vcuhealth.org or visit https://tinyurl.com/374dea8h.

Free U.S. Passport-Style Photograph at VCU Global Education Office

Did you know VCU students, faculty and staff are eligible for a free U.S. passport-style photograph? The Global Education Office (912 W. Grace St., fourth floor) offers this service on the first Tuesday of each month from 1-3 p.m. and the third Wednesday of each month from 9-11 a.m. Sign up for a 15-minute time slot at the following URL. Sign-ups are first-come, first-serve. For more information, contact Alex Heyden at abroad@vcu.edu or (804) 827-7882 or visit https://bit.ly/48vyeCK.

Career Opportunities for Students in Criminal Justice and Public Service Fields

Students interested in law enforcement are invited to speak with VCU Police. Take courses in all levels of degree programs for free, work toward student loan forgiveness and receive a competitive salary and benefits as an officer. VCU students receive a $5,000 bonus upon completing the academy and field training. The 50th Academy starts in fall 2024. Applicants who are made a conditional offer may qualify for the department’s Law Enforcement Apprenticeship Program. For more information, contact VCU Police at policerecruit@vcu.edu or visit http://police.vcu.edu/about/recruitment/.

Call for Applicants: Inclusive Excellence Student Fellows

VCU's Division of Inclusive Excellence is accepting applications for the Inclusive Excellence Student Fellows program. This program aims to empower students to actively contribute to campus-wide inclusion initiatives, enhance their leadership skills and promote inclusive excellence throughout the university and the broader Richmond community. Apply at the following URL by Friday, Aug. 30. For more information, contact Brooke Berry at inclusive@vcu.edu or visit https://forms.gle/RHjUPUqH7oMCDDKr6.

RecWell Group Exercise Classes

RecWell’s group exercise program offers free classes at Cary Street Gym, 101 S. Linden St., and MCV Campus Recreation Center, 900 Turpin St., for VCU students and RecWell members. RecWell classes cover a variety of exercise formats and are designed to increase cardio endurance, strength, flexibility and are appropriate for individuals of all fitness levels. Enjoy a wide variety of classes in a supportive, inclusive and fun environment. Register at the following URL. For more information, contact Nadine Madison at groupexprgm@vcu.edu or visit https://recwell.vcu.edu/play/group-exercise/.

American Red Cross First Aid/CPR/AED Course

The American Red Cross Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED course is open for VCU students, RecWell members, non-member faculty/staff and the Richmond community. Learn how to recognize and care for a variety of first aid, breathing and cardiac emergencies. Participants will earn a certificate that satisfies OSHA requirements for workplace First Aid/CPR/AED training in non-health care settings. September class dates are Saturday, Sept. 7; Saturday, Sept. 14, Wednesday,Sept. 18 and Saturday, Sept. 28. Register at the following URL. For more information, contact Mat Scott at aquatics@vcu.edu or visit https://portal.recwell.vcu.edu/Program/GetProgramDetails?courseId=157236e4-f012-4926-b19a-80ba87072981.

Join VCU's Choral Arts

Sing your heart out this semester with VCU's Choral Arts and Mozart’s Requiem. No audition? No problem. Just sign up with APPM359 CRN29766 and be part of something amazing. For more information, contact Christopher Hansen, Ph.D., director of choral activities, at hansenc3@vcu.edu or visit https://arts.vcu.edu/academics/departments/music/ensembles/vocal-ensemble/.

Using AI at VCU

Generative AI tools offer exciting possibilities for our learning, work and personal lives. VCU has licensed Microsoft Copilot, a generative artificial intelligence chatbot for all faculty, staff and students to use for free. For more information about using generative AI tools and logging into Copilot, review the VCU AI Guidelines page at the following URL. For more information, contact Hannah Steighner, VCU Technology Services, at hwpsteighner@vcu.edu or visit https://go.vcu.edu/ai.

Global Buddy Program Fall Registration Is Open

Registration is open for VCU's Global Buddies Program, which provides the opportunity for international and domestic students to learn about other people, places and cultures and to make meaningful connections with people from around the world. Register at the following URL by Sunday, Sept. 1. For more information, contact Kelly Richard at richardkj@vcu.edu or (919) 816-5318 or visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScR6wUkOczK4ik0JDnOPqEzS0xItYcNIML7lB6IFMzgaamlvw/viewform?usp=sf_link.

Updated eID Password Reset Process

Have you forgotten your VCU eID password? To enhance security for the VCU community and safeguard institutional data, the IT Support Center will now have three data elements to verify student and employee identities for an eID password reset. Contact VCU's IT Support Center at itsc@vcu.edu or visit the following URL. For more information, contact Gary Garbett at garbettgl@vcu.edu or visit https://ts.vcu.edu/askit/eid/eidpassword/.

Apply To Speak or Perform Live at TEDxVCU 2025

TEDxVCU is accepting applications from potential speakers and performers for its 2025 live event. The event will feature ideas from VCU Rams through roughly two hours of talks and performances. Speaker and performer applications will remain open until Friday, Sept. 20. Apply at the following URL. For more information, contact TEDxVCU at tedx@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.campusgroups.com/tedxvcu/speaker-guide/.

Soliciting K12 Faculty Scholar Applications in Women’s Health and Sex/Gender Differences Research

The VCU Institute for Women’s Health is soliciting faculty scholar applications for its institutional K award focused on women’s health and sex/gender differences. This award provides faculty scholars 75 percent salary support (up to $100,000 per year) for two years, along with $25,000 research support, a structured mentoring team, extensive access to university resources and individualized career development plans. Submit a letter of intent by noon Tuesday, Sept. 3 at the following URL. For more information, contact Molly Hyer at molly.hyer@vcuhealth.org or visit https://womenshealth.vcu.edu/bircwh/bircwh-application-information/.

Long COVID Study Participants Needed

VCU School of Nursing is looking for participants ages 0-25 to participate in a Long COVID study. Have you or your child experienced lingering health symptoms or behavior changes since having COVID or a virus? Participants will be paid for their time. Sign up for the study at the following URL. For more information, contact Amy Rider at recoverkidsva@vcu.edu or visit https://bit.ly/RECOVERkids.

Participants Are Invited for Study Examining the Impact of Acute and Chronic Stress on Cardiovascular Health

Individuals between the ages of 18 and 30 who identify as Black or African American are invited to participate in a research study examining the effect of acute and chronic stress on cardiovascular and inflammation responses to an acute mental challenge. Raffle drawings for financial compensation will be conducted. This study will take place at 500 Academic Centre on VCU’s Monroe Park Campus. Principal Investigator: Lee Franco, Ph.D., Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences. For more information, contact Jeremy Via at healthyheart@vcu.edu.

Participants Are Invited for a Study Examining the Effects of E-Cigarettes on Cardiovascular Health

Do you vape? We are seeking participants between 18 to 29 years old who regularly vape to participate in a study investigating the effects of e-cigarettes on cardiovascular health. We are also seeking non-users. Compensation is included. For more information, contact Tijana Simovic at theviplab@vcu.edu or (804) 396-4498.

Teen Health Brain Imaging Study

The VCU REPEAT Lab is recruiting parents with and without a history of an eating disorder and their teenage daughters (12-16 years) for a brain imaging study. The goal of the study is to understand how parent eating habits are related to eating habits and brain responding in their children. Parents and teens will be compensated for participating. For more information, contact VCU's REPEAT Lab at repeat@vcu.edu or (804) 828-2658 or visit https://tinyurl.com/25wnkh7z.

See a schedule of workshops and classes that teach how to use collections and databases.
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