Student Issue for August 14, 2025

Today

Petersburg Wellness Consortium To Present VCU Research and Real Talk

Add to calendar 14-08-2025 12:45:00 14-08-2025 America/New_York Petersburg Wellness Consortium To Present VCU Research and Real Talk 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. Petersburg Public Library Katelyn Schifano schifanokr@vcu.edu DD/MM/YYYY

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.

This week

Blackbird Literary Podcast Launch Party

Add to calendar 15-08-2025 18:00:00 15-08-2025 20:00:00 America/New_York Blackbird Literary Podcast Launch Party 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. Shop Two Three, 1437 Hull Street, Richmond, VA, 23224 Professor Jessica Hendry Nelson, Faculty Editor, Blackbird nelsonjh3@vcu.edu DD/MM/YYYY

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/.

Coming up

Central Va. SOCRA Chapter Meeting: Communication Charcuterie

Add to calendar 20-08-2025 12:00:00 20-08-2025 13:00:00 America/New_York Central Va. SOCRA Chapter Meeting: Communication Charcuterie 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. zoom: https://vcu.zoom.us/meeting/register/jXYpkin1QPapayrIcC60HQ Shirley Helm shelm@vcu.edu DD/MM/YYYY

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.

Canvas Training for Students

Add to calendar 20-08-2025 14:00:00 20-08-2025 14:30:00 America/New_York Canvas Training for Students VCU Academic Technologies will host three live, online 30-minute overviews of Canvas via Zoom for students during Weeks of Welcome. Students will learn how to log in and navigate Canvas to complete class assignments, projects and more. Sessions will be on Wednesdays, Aug. 20, Aug. 27 and Sept. 3. Register at the following URL in VCU RamsConnect. Online, via Zoom Jana Avery jcavery@vcu.edu DD/MM/YYYY

Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025 from 2 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

VCU Academic Technologies will host three live, online 30-minute overviews of Canvas via Zoom for students during Weeks of Welcome. Students will learn how to log in and navigate Canvas to complete class assignments, projects and more. Sessions will be on Wednesdays, Aug. 20, Aug. 27 and Sept. 3. Register at the following URL in VCU RamsConnect.

For more information, contact Jana Avery at jcavery@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.campusgroups.com/Tech/CanvasTraining/.

Notices

Dining Plans Start Today, Aug. 14

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.

RecWell Massage Therapy Services

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/.

Join the Choir

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/.

RecWell Aquatics Fitness Swim

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.

Enhanced Gmail Security Features Now Live

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.

Join the VCU Career Services Team as a Peer Career Adviser

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.

Risk-Taking in Eating Disorders Study

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.

Participants Invited for a Study Examining Psychosocial Stress and Cardiovascular Health in Sexual and Gender Minority Adults

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.

Other resources

VCU Libraries workshops

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

LinkedIn Learning @ VCU

Navigate a vast library of online video tutorials to supplement teaching, learning, and professional development.

RamsConnect events

View all of the student events happening on campus and register for events that interest you.