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Today

Stop by the VCU Intersession hot chocolate bar at the Compass to learn about taking a class during winter break. You can use the opportunity to catch up, get ahead or explore a new subject. Grab a free hot chocolate and cookie when you visit. For more information, contact Elizabeth Bambacus at bambacuses@vcu.edu or visit http://winter.vcu.edu.

Purchase a 2025 Dogs on Call calendar and show your support for the therapy dog teams who visit patients and staff at VCU Health and students at VCU. Additional sales are contingent upon stock: Monday (Nov. 18), 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Main 1 ticket office by the floor compass; Thursday (Nov. 21), Friday (Nov. 22) and Tuesday (Dec. 3), 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Main 1 kiosk near the floor compass; Thursday (Dec. 5), 11 a.m.-2 p.m. in front of the Health and Wellness Library near the Gateway Starbucks; Monday (Dec. 9), VCU Health Adult Outpatient Pavilion, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.; and Friday (Dec. 13), VCU Health Stony Point Lobby 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Purchases can also be made online and mailed to you at www.support.vcu.edu/event/CHAI_Calendar For more information, contact Karl Dorn at chai@vcuhealth.org or (804) 628-2532 or visit https://chai.vcu.edu/.

Stop by the Compass to grab a sweet treat from VCU HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America). The group will have a table to raise funds by selling homemade baked goods. For more information, contact Luke Munro at munrol@vcu.edu.

Are you interested in working with other students across different disciplines? Are you fascinated by creating solutions to complex problems? Have you always wanted to start a business or nonprofit? Attend a virtual informational session to learn about undergraduate certificates at VCU's daVinci Center. The session will also include the center's programs in product innovation and venture creation, as well as classes in human-centered design and how they fit into individual academic plans. Questions: Mary Chris Escobar at escobarmc@vcu.edu or the following email address. For more information, contact Caslin Applewhite at applewhiteec@vcu.edu or visit https://connect.business.vcu.edu/register/Undergrad-Info-Nov-18.

Join Katie's Art Project for the group's annual holiday care packages event, which will take place in Richmond Salon IV, University Student Commons, 907 Floyd Ave. All care packages will be donated to the Children's Hospital of Richmond. For more information, contact Safa Saad at saads@vcu.edu.

Unleash your creative potential by mastering the principles of design thinking. Emphasis is increasing on skills such as problem-solving, adaptability and empathy in current as well as future job roles. Through this immersive workshop, participants will be introduced to the six foundational steps in the design thinking process: defining How Might We challenges, seeking extremes, creating options, selecting ideas, prototyping and feedback. Register at the following URL for this virtual session. For more information, contact Manjari Kumarappan at kumarappanma@vcu.edu or visit https://connect.business.vcu.edu/register/Design-Thinking-Nov-18.

SCAN (Save the Children Action Network) will host a case files event in the Academic Learning Commons (MCALC), Room 2107, 1000 Floyd Ave. Eat Oh Mochi doughnuts while solving the mystery of who committed political espionage. For more information, contact SCAN at scanatvcu@gmail.com.

This week

In celebration of International Education Week, VCU's Global Education Office will host a showcase of more than a dozen upcoming faculty-led study abroad programs. The event will be at the Richmond Salons, University Student Commons, 907 Floyd Ave. Register at the following URL. For more information, contact Alex Heyden at levya@vcu.edu or (804) 828-5794 or visit https://vcu.campusgroups.com/eduabroad/rsvp_boot?id=1935938.

Apply a social justice framework to access issues and gain essential tools for creating spaces — virtual or in-person — that are inclusive, accessible and open to all. You can choose to attend one or more of the following virtual sessions: Tuesday, Nov. 19; Wednesday, Nov. 20 and Thursday, Nov. 21. Choose a date and register: https://vcu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYtfuGpqj0iHtMT5vkR3tzro7tUCeiuqert#/registration The sessions are hosted by VCU's Division of Inclusive Excellence. For more information, contact Tre Straughter at inclusive@vcu.edu or visit https://inclusive.vcu.edu/education/.

Learn about the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs graduate programs and how to fund your graduate education through the school's scholarships and Wilder Graduate Scholars Fellowship program. Register for the virtual session at the following URL. For more information, contact Ross Losapio at losapior@vcu.edu or (804) 827-0364 or visit https://bit.ly/wilderfunding.

Learn the basics of artificial intelligence and prompt crafting by developing effective strategies for understanding Large Language Models. The VCU Writing Center and Focused Inquiry Learning Lounge will host the workshop (in-person in Room 5116, Grace E. Harris Hall, 1015 Floyd Ave. or online via Zoom). Register at the following URL. For more information, contact Trey Burnart Hall at hallbr@vcu.edu or visit https://writing.vcu.edu/calendar/.

VCU's Department of African American Studies will present the documentary "Black Studies: An Intellectual Genealogy" at the University Commons Theater, University Student Commons, 907 Floyd Ave. How did the Black experience become a university major? Learn about the struggle and triumph that produced Black Studies, African American Studies and Africana Studies from leading figures in the discipline and movements that shaped it. For more information, contact Christian Thompson at thompsonc19@vcu.edu or (703) 789-2994 or visit https://afam.vcu.edu/events/.

VCU's School of Pharmacy will host seminars designed to highlight innovative research programs led by VCU faculty while creating opportunities for cross-disciplinary interactions and engaging research discussions. Dave Dixon, Pharm.D., professor at the Department of Pharmacotherapy and Outcomes Science, will discuss "Pharmacist-Led Interventions to Improve the Quality of Blood Pressure Control." The session will be in Room 129, Robert Blackwell Smith Building, 410 North 12th St. For more information, contact Karolina Aberg at kaaberg@vcu.edu or (804) 628-3023.

Join PennyAppeal at its Pack-A-Bag event in Room 2129, Grace Harris Hall, 1015 Floyd Ave., to help make care kits for the local homeless population. Can't make it? Join the group's Instagram (@pennyappealatvcu) or RamsConnect to keep up to date on future events. For more information, contact PennyAppeal at officialpennyappealatvcu@gmail.com.

VCUArts Craft/Material Studies Department Clay Area will have its yearly fundraiser pottery sale. Faculty and student ceramic work will be available for sale to raise funds for students attending the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts Conference, which will be held in Salt Lake City, Utah, in March 2025. The sale will take place in the first-floor lobby of the Murry N. DePillars Building, 1000 W. Broad St., from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday (Nov. 20) and Saturday (Nov. 21) and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 22. Payments can be made via Venmo or exact cash only. For more information, contact Rice Evans at evansb5@vcu.edu.

Black & Gold = Green in 2025. Cheer for the Rams and help VCU Facilities Management reach Zero Waste. Volunteers are needed to support VCU Athletics and VCU Sustainability at one or two Zero Waste Rams basketball games, on Saturday, Jan. 25 and Tuesday, Feb. 4. For details about the men's and women's games and how you can become involved, come to the Free Store/Ram Pantry, 930 W. Grace St., on Nov. 20-22 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. (walk-ins welcome, no registration needed). Staff, students and student groups are welcome For more information, contact Parker Long at longpj@vcu.edu or visit https://sustainability.vcu.edu/get-involved/.

Rams in Recovery will partner with each school on the MCV campus for a series of lectures featuring health care professionals who are in recovery from addiction. The first lecture will take place in Younger Auditorium, Room 1009, VCU School of Nursing, 1100 E. Leigh St., and will feature James “Barney” Tormey, Ph.D, RN, CEN. For more information, contact Thomas N. Bannard at bannardtn@vcu.edu or (804) 366-8027 or visit http://bit.ly/MCVRecoverySeries.

VCU's C. Kenneth and Dianne Wright Center for Clinical and Translational Research will host a virtual scholar presentation featuring Aline de Souza, Ph.D., a Georgetown-Howard University CCTS Scholar. De Souza will discuss the long-term cardiovascular risks associated with severe caloric restrictions. This presentation will delve into the latest research on how extreme dietary measures can impact heart health over time, offering takeaways for both clinical practice and personal health decisions. Register at the following URL. For more information, contact Brad Williams at williamsb12@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcqfuyppjgvEtEy2nHslrDR_K0L5UrEjJHB.

This interactive Zoom workshop is a guide to finding, reading, evaluating and incorporating academic sources into your work. Register at the following URL. For more information, contact Trey Burnart Hall at hallbr@vcu.edu or visit https://writing.vcu.edu/calendar/.

Come to an online alumni panel discussion featuring past interns at Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center, who will share their experiences into the world of cancer researchers. Learn how the internships can have an impact on your career and help you build a strong foundation in cancer research. Register at the following URL. For more information, contact Caroline Blair at blaircp@vcu.edu or visit https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEuceyhqjkqE93bt-5rZWsAnOeB20O6i5Ng.

Empower yourself to make your next move in the Unlock Your Potential: Gallup Clifton Strengths Workshop, presented by the Office of Alumni Relations. Whether you’re a student or a professional, discover and maximize your strengths to achieve your personal and professional goals in this interactive Zoom session. Register at the following URL. For more information, contact Tiera Byrd (B.S.’12), assistant director of alumni career and personal development, VCU Alumni, at mcguiretj@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_NK0CMthaS3COc0Ajuh1QOA#/registration.

Learn about the purpose and value of VCU career communities in an interactive virtual session. Career communities are employee-led groups, allowing employees to network, strengthen competencies, promote innovation and share best practices. Also, several open positions are available in various career communities. Register for an in-person or virtual session at https://vcu.csod.com/ui/lms-learning-details/app/event/e6e9a8aa-58a0-408c-b079-cef7d3c673a3 For more information, contact Beverly Walker at bwalker@vcu.edu or visit https://hr.vcu.edu/career-development/career-communities/.

This interactive workshop will familiarize students with the required components for a laboratory report and explore the essential elements of a lab report across various scientific disciplines. Register at the following URL. For more information, contact Trey Burnart Hall at hallbr@vcu.edu or visit https://writing.vcu.edu/calendar/.

Join the Latinx Student Association and Students for Justice In Palestine at VCU in raising money to support the Middle East Children's Alliance, a nonprofit organization working for the rights and the well-being of children in the Middle East. The screening of "A Quiet Place: Day One" will be in the theater of the University Student Commons, 907 Floyd Ave. Doors will open at 3:45 p.m. Tickets are $5 online or pay-what-you-can at the door. Grab a ticket at the following URL. For more information, contact Suhylah Sharif at sharifs3@vcu.edu or visit https://givebutter.com/LSAxSJPmovie.

Have a passion for children? Want a high-impact career? Want to champion social justice? Fuel dreams? Dedicate your life to making a difference while getting a fully paid degree? RTR is for you. RTR is a teacher residency program in the VCU School of Education that equips passionate future teachers with the tools to teach for change. Learn more at this virtual informational session. Register at https://tinyurl.com/RTRInfoSession2425 For more information, contact Sabrina Evans at teachrtr@vcu.edu or visit http://teachrtr.org.

Coming up

The training will cover a number of different steps, including: - How to use LockDown Browser to prevent digital cheating in proctored testing environments, - How to use Respondus Monitor in non-proctored environments to protect exam integrity and confirm student identity, - Advanced settings including combining proctored and non-proctored settings and using external tools in quizzes without compromising exam integrity. Register at https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3665032237821668444 For more information, contact Jon Reed at reedjj@vcu.edu or visit http://learningsystems.vcu.edu.

VCU's History Department will host a brown-bag lunch featuring a talk by Elizabeth Shanks Alexander, Ph.D., professor of religious studies at the University of Virginia. She will explore the strategies that the Bible’s ancient authors and contemporary translators employed to construct a gender-neutral subject in which each noun, verb and adjective is marked with grammatical gender and has no neuter option. Drinks and light snacks will be provided. The event will be in the department's conference room, 811 S. Cathedral Place. For more information, contact Samuel Kessler, Ph.D., at kesslers2@vcu.edu or visit https://history.vcu.edu/events/event-items/what-might-the-ancients-have-thought-about-recent-gender-sensitive-translations-of-the-bible.html.

The HR Learning, Development and Organizational Culture team will host a workshop for managers via Zoom. Register in Talent@VCU at https://shorturl.at/9docj Managers must first complete the Leading with Emotional Intelligence eLearning before attending the workshop available at https://shorturl.at/JZrjD For more information, contact Penny McFarline at mcfarlinep@vcu.edu or visit https://shorturl.at/9docj.

Considering a career in advertising, marketing or branding? Join Brandcenter admissions and the faculty concentration chairs to learn more about application requirements, prerequisites and what to keep in mind when completing the application. The qualities and skills of a successfull applicant will be discussed. A Q&A will follow. Register at the following URL for the Zoom link. For more information, contact Emma Barone at brandcenter@vcu.edu or visit https://connect.business.vcu.edu/register/BC-Virtual-App-Workshop?utm_source=TelegRam.

The Virginia Executive Institute is now accepting applications. This program offers a forum for current and emerging leaders to connect with a network of state executives dedicated to strengthening their leadership skills and driving positive change for Virginia's future. Questions: Visit https://pmg.vcu.edu/professional-development/vei/ For more information, contact Mandy Fowler at afowler3@vcu.edu or visit http://GEHLI.vcu.edu.

Notices

Google Sites Decommission

The ability to create and edit Google Sites is no longer available. The Google Sites service will be fully decommissioned as of December 2024. University-related sites and course-related sites should be moved or created in the appropriate university systems. Personal sites should be created on non-university hosted platforms. For more information, contact Dr. Gee at drgee@vcu.edu or visit https://collaborate.vcu.edu/apps/sites/.

VCU Leadership Development Program

Are you a VCU or VCU Health professional eager to elevate your leadership skills? Learn more about VCU and join the Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute in its immersive program designed to enhance your leadership capabilities through assessments, mentorship, team projects and direct interaction with university and state leaders. Deepen your understanding of higher education challenges while expanding your network and connecting with senior leaders across VCU. Register at the following URL. For more information, contact Ron Jones at jonesre22@vcu.edu or visit https://gehli.vcu.edu/programs/vcu-leadership-development-program/.

Staff Accessibility Survey

The Accessibility and Inclusion Working Group and the VCU Staff Senate are conducting a voluntary survey of VCU staff members about perceptions of accessibility and inclusion at VCU. Please take a few moments to review and respond to the form at the following URL. The group's mission is to advance accessibility by partnering with those who make decisions and set policies at VCU, seek out and address community-identified barriers and broadly champion inclusivity with a focus on people with disabilities. All responses are anonymous. For more information, contact Abigail Zaremba at apzaremba@vcu.edu or visit https://forms.gle/Mv5ornehgNvqHdZ48.

'Appreciation at Work' Training Sessions (Virtual or In-Person)

To support the university's culture of care and appreciation, VCU HR has developed "Appreciation at Work" training sessions based on the book “5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace” by Gary Chapman and Paul White. Those who attend will learn about the languages of appreciation in the workplace; understand the core concepts of meaningful appreciation and be able to use those skills to build and maintain good working relationships. Register and see session dates and times at the at the following URL. For more information, contact VCU HR Learning, Development and Organizational Culture at learndev@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.csod.com/samldefault.aspx?returnUrl=%252fDeepLink%252fProcessRedirect.aspx%253fmodule%253dlodetails%2526lo%253d60cd0c5a-816d-4c53-833e-68963d01f171.

Students Caring About Cancer Chemo Care Package Drive

Students Caring About Cancer at VCU is collecting items for a Chemo Care Package Drive until Monday, Dec. 2. Suggested items include but are not limited to art supplies, tissues, lip balm, small notebooks, puzzles, pens, pencils, unopened socks and adult coloring books. Donation boxes are placed in the psychology reception area of the White House, 806 W. Franklin St.; the ninth floor reception area at One Capital Square, 830 E. Main St. and Human Resources, 104 N. Belvidere St. For more information, contact Gabrielle Maldonado at siricagt@vcu.edu.

RVA Views Fall 2024 Survey

RVA Views' annual survey aims to understand how residents of Central Virginia think and act regarding topics of health and wellness, financial prosperity, technology and more. The insights of those who respond play a pivotal role in enhancing understanding its societal impacts. Participants can choose to be entered into a drawing to win one of six $50 gift cards. See the survey at the following URL. For more information, contact Jodie Ferguson at jlferguson@vcu.edu or visit https://vcubusiness.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_d74Jqwe72d8zUbA.

Do You Want to Lead a Healthier Lifestyle?

Researchers at Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center are testing a new program to help improve health and well-being among emerging adults age 18-29 with a history of cancer. The program is designed specifically for emerging adult cancer survivors who are interested in making healthy lifestyle changes (e.g., healthy eating, physical activity, sleep, stress, mood) to decrease chronic inflammation. Visit the following URL to learn more and take a brief screening questionnaire to see if you may be eligible. For more information, contact Autumn Lanoye at lanoyeam@vcu.edu or visit https://www.mccheal.com/.

See a schedule of workshops and classes that teach how to use collections and databases.
Navigate a vast library of online video tutorials to supplement teaching, learning, and professional development.

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