12:45 p.m.

VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center and the Petersburg Wellness Consortium will host VCU researcher Alexander Lucas, Ph.D., for a presentation at the Petersburg Public Library, 201 W. Washington St., on his research regarding exercise and cancer. A Q&A will follow. A virtual option will be available. A free lunch will be available to those who attend in person. Registration is required. Register at the following email address.

For more information, contact Katelyn Schifano at schifanokr@vcu.edu or (804) 628-0284 or visit http://www.pwcpetersburg.org.

Friday, Aug. 15, 2025 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Join VCU's Creative Writing Department and Blackbird, an online journal for literature and the arts, for a celebratory launch of the Blackbird Literary Podcast’s debut episode. The event also marks the official welcome of the university's newest faculty members, Edgar Kunz and Devon Walker-Figueroa. The event will be at Shop Two Three (1437 Hull St.), with parking available just up the block at Studio Two Three. Beverages will be available for purchase. The evening will feature live performances from the podcast team and poetry readings by new faculty.

For more information, contact Professor Jessica Hendry Nelson, Faculty Editor, Blackbird at nelsonjh3@vcu.edu or (267) 467-2812 or visit https://blackbird.vcu.edu/.

Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025 from noon to 1 p.m.

The Central Virginia Chapter of the Society of Clinical Research Associates and the Kenneth and Dianne Wright Center for Clinical and Translational Research will host a virtual meeting. Laurie Cathers, Ph.D., LMSW, VCU director of the BS Health Services Program, will present a selection of skills to enhance your conversations. CE will be provided to SOCRA members. Registration is required. Register for the Zoom link at the following URL.

For more information, contact Shirley Helm at shelm@vcu.edu or (804) 241-7340 or visit https://vcu.zoom.us/meeting/register/jXYpkin1QPapayrIcC60HQ.

Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025 from 11 a.m. to noon

This workshop will cover the various functions within Canvas and in a course shell. Authenticate into Zoom meeting using your eID and password. Register at: https://training.vcu.edu/course.aspx?processFlag=2&itemID=18527 The session is sponsored by Academic Affairs and Technology Services. The Zoom link is https://vcu.zoom.us/j/2324828315?omn=85327778666

For more information, contact Jon Reed at reedjj@vcu.edu or visit https://learningsystems.vcu.edu.

Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2025 from 11 a.m. to noon

This workshop will cover the various functions within Canvas and in a course shell. Authenticate into Zoom meeting using your eID and password. Register at: https://training.vcu.edu/course.aspx?processFlag=2&itemID=18528 Sponsored by Academic Affairs and Technology Services. The Zoom link is https://vcu.zoom.us/j/2324828315?omn=82626850189

For more information, contact Jon Reed at reedjj@vcu.edu or visit https://learningsystems.vcu.edu.

Dining plans start today, Thursday, Aug. 14 at 7 a.m. Use your swipes and dining dollars at 20-plus locations, including Choolaah, located in the University Student Commons, 907 Floyd Ave., opening Monday, Aug. 18. Look for Weeks of Welcome pop-ups, free food and more outside Shafer Court Dining Center, 810 Cathedral Place. For dining hours and location information, visit vcu.campusdish.com. To enroll in a dining plan, go to the following URL.

For more information, contact Margaret Massie at dining@vcu.edu or (804) 828-1148 or visit http://vcu.campusdish.com/DiningPlans.

Table massage is an effective way to support a healthy and active lifestyle, alleviate stress and muscle tension and aid in injury rehabilitation. RecWell’s licensed massage therapists will discuss your needs and provide a personalized treatment plan. Sessions are open to VCU students, RecWell members and facultRegister at the following URL.Visit our website to register.

For more information, contact Tanika Santos-MacSwain at massage@vcu.edu or visit https://recwell.vcu.edu/thrive/massage-therapy/.

Looking for a welcoming way to become involved on campus? Join a VCU choir this fall. Make music, make friends and be part of something meaningful. Open to all majors. Choral Arts Society (APPM 359, CRN 29766) No audition required. Commonwealth Singers (APPM 358, CRN 29770) is an advanced mixed choral ensemble. Audition required. Vox Concordia (APPM 378, CRN 32996) is an advanced treble choral ensemble. Audition required.

For more information, contact Christopher Hansen, Ph.D., at hansenc3@vcu.edu or visit https://arts.vcu.edu/music/ensembles/.

The Fitness Swimming program focuses on enhancing swimming techniques, endurance and physical conditioning in the water. Participants should expect to develop their swimming proficiency for fitness or competitive purposes. This is an advanced-level class and will average about 1,000 yards of swimming per class. Classes are held on Fridays from 7-7:55 a.m. 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=e9401580-e161-45db-9b79-9ef3ddebb02a.

VCU HR Benefits will host on-campus days for retirement plan providers at the Lindsey House, 600 W. Franklin St. TIAA will be onsite Monday, Aug. 18; Fidelity on Thursday, Aug. 21; and Voya on Friday, Aug. 22. Contact your provider directly at the following URL to schedule your one-on-one appointment.

For more information, contact Kelvin T. Allen at benefits@vcu.edu or (804) 827-1723.

The Federal Work-Study Program will process work-study Fall hiring requests (ePAFS) only up until Friday, Aug. 29, and all FWS postings in Handshake will close on Friday, Aug. 22. This is to successfully manage the limited work-study funds VCU has been allocated from the federal government, considering both high program usage in recent years and the goal to allow for hiring in Fall and Spring. If you anticipate additional needs within your unit/department beyond that date, you are encouraged to consider alternative funding sources with your fiscal administrator(s).

For more information, contact Federal Work-Study at VCU at workstudy@vcu.edu.

These features work in the background to provide an extra layer of protection against phishing and malware. They will identify external senders and warn users of possible impersonation.

For more information, contact Doctor Gee at drgee@vcu.edu.

The Global Education Office's Teaching English as a Foreign Language Certificate Program (TEFL) is accepting applications. The TEFL certificate program is an intensive course designed for individuals interested in teaching English to students. In this program, participants will gain work experience, travel abroad and earn money simultaneously. The next program start date is Tuesday, Aug. 19. Apply at https://global.vcu.edu/outreach/specialprograms/tefl/

For more information, contact Nicol Tinsley at nctinsley@vcu.edu or visit https://global.vcu.edu.

Peer Career Advisers (PCAs) assist and advise students during weekly drop-in advising hours with résumé and cover letter writing, job and internship searching and more. They also host presentations for classes and on-campus organizations. Participants must be eligible for the Federal Work-Study Program and able to commit to the 2025-2026 school year. Apply on Handshake at the following URL.

For more information, contact Ashley Worthington at worthingtonar@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.joinhandshake.com/jobs/9984702/share_preview.

Breastfeeding is an essential part of infant feeding and provides all the nutrients a baby needs in the first 6 months of life. Help our colleagues on this important journey by encouraging them to take regular breaks, keeping the designated breastfeeding stations open, clean and free of clutter. Cabell Library offers a lactation room on the fourth floor and is central to the campus. Follow the link to locate the closest lactation room to meet your needs https://advocacy.vcu.edu/resources/lactation-rooms/ Visit the following URL to meet with your Wellness Team at 800 W. Broad St.

For more information, contact VCU Employee Health at ehs@vcu.edu or (804) 628-2594 or visit http://go.vcu.edu/employeewellness.

The Translational Research on Eating and Affect (TREAT) Lab is recruiting adolescents and young adults assigned female at birth (aged 12 to 25 years) for a brain imaging study to understand risky decision-making in individuals who have concerns about their body shape/weight, or overeat, purge, use laxatives, diet severely or exercise excessively. We are also investigating these processes in individuals without a psychological disorder. There will be compensation for participation.

For more information, contact Kelsey Hagan, Ph.D., PI at treatlab@vcuhealth.org or (804) 827-4174 or visit https://redcap.vcu.edu/surveys/?s=48YEAYT8MK33E8EJ.

This study is inviting individuals between the ages of 18 and 30 who identify as LGBTQ. We are also inviting individuals between the ages of 18 and 30 who identify as cis-gender heterosexual for the control group.

For more information, contact Karen Gorgey at healthyheart@vcu.edu.