12 p.m.

The Department of Painting + Printmaking will present a visiting artist lecture by Alex Jackson. He is an artist and writer in the Philadelphia area, forever working on “Color Theory for Ghosts,” a novel in three-dimensional space, each of its chapters unfolding in the form of an exhibition. The lecture will be at the Institute for Contemporary Art at the Markel Center (ICA), 601 W. Broad St.

For more information, contact Emmy Garcia at garciaem2@vcu.edu or visit https://arts.vcu.edu/event/alex-jackson-visiting-artist-lecture/.

12 p.m. to 1 p.m.

The Disability Advocacy and Accessibility Caucus (DAAC) will meet via Zoom and in person (SGA chambers, University Student Commons, 907 Floyd Ave.) The organization works to improve VCU’s infrastructure, expand accessible campus mapping and create educational resources for student organizations. See the Zoom link at the following URL.

For more information, contact Shady Habib at habibss@vcu.edu or (703) 314-2515 or visit https://vcu.zoom.us/j/84402801731.

2 p.m.

The VCU Writing Center will host a workshop via Zoom. Learn more about AI and explore how it can be an innovative tool if used properly. Register at the following URL.

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

2 p.m.

Sophomores and juniors interested in pursuing graduate research in the STEM fields: this session will provide information on the Goldwater Scholarship, which awards its scholars with up to $7,500 for educational expenses and a mentoring network. The session will be held in person (NSO Conference Room, Room 1210, Honors College, 701 W. Grace St.) and virtually. Register at the following URl.

For more information, contact VCU National Scholarship Office at natlscholar@vcu.edu or (804) 828-6868 or visit https://forms.gle/pDokC2ATWcTr7wUD7.

9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Cup of Kindness is a two-hour, open-invitation program with warm beverages and social time followed by a mindfulness and stress management activity. Join us on the second Friday of each month for a conversation led by Leslie Stelljes Nanson, co-founder and clinical psychologist with Aspen Grove Wellness. The meeting will be centered on the importance of our social well-being and the relationships in our lives. Explore how connection supports mental health, resilience and our sense of belonging. This event will be at the VCU Health Hub, 1330 N.25th St., Suite A.

For more information, contact VCU Health Hub at vcuhealthhub@vcu.edu.

Saturday, Apr. 11, 2026 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Join the Public Health Student Association to plant seedlings at Stockton Community Garden, 3901 Stockton St., to support healthier, more sustainable urban green spaces.

For more information, contact Maggie Christ at christmm@vcu.edu or visit https://sph.vcu.edu/about/nphw2026/.

Saturday, Apr. 11, 2026 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

TEDxVCU is once again bringing ideas that spark and stories that shine to VCU’s Commonwealth Ballrooms, VCU Student Commons, 907 Floyd Ave. Come for an afternoon of inspiration, innovations and ideas worth spreading. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact TEDxVCU at tedx@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.campusgroups.com/tedxvcu/rsvp_boot?id=1944833.

Sunday, Apr. 12, 2026 from 9:30 a.m. to noon

Join Hillel at VCU and the Richmond Jewish community to honor the memory of the Holocaust through education and reflection. Come together at Congregation Or Atid, 10625 Patterson Ave., in remembrance, reflect on the legacy of those who were lost and stand in solidarity as a community. Tommy P. Baer will be the guest speaker. A light breakfast will be served and several items will be raffled. All are welcome. RSVP at the following URL by Friday, April 10.

For more information, contact Sheri Rodman at sheri@hillelatvcu.org or visit https://www.hillelatvcu.org/calendar.

Monday, Apr. 13, 2026 from noon to 1 p.m.

Jinze Liu, Ph.D., professor, Biostatistics, will speak via Zoom at a Discovery Dialogues seminar hosted by VCU's C. Kenneth and Dianne Wright Center for Clinical and Translational Research. Liu’s work was funded by the Wright Center’s Translational Science Pilot Funds. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Pamela Dillon, Pharm.D., research liaison, at pmdillon@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.zoom.us/meeting/register/oI2r8tLQRdyAJM9qBOofcA.

Monday, Apr. 13, 2026 at noon

The Department of Focused Inquiry will present its annual expo in the Focused Inquiry Learning Lounge, Room 5116, Grace E. Harris Hall, 1015 Floyd Ave. The expo will showcase the creativity and research of students in UNIV 111, 112, 200 and 299. This is a chance to celebrate FI students and their accomplishments. Students will give talks and readings, display their multimodal projects and more. Refreshments will be provided.

For more information, contact Focused Inquiry Learning Lounge at fill@vcu.edu or (804) 827-0838 or visit https://cglink.me/2dV/r1945360.

Tuesday, Apr. 14, 2026 from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 a.m.

The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) at VCU will host the Unwritten Rules of the Workplace: An HR Insights Panel, in Room B3187/3189, Snead Hall, 301 W. Main St. Come to the Q&A panel at which Carol Bensusan, Regional Senior HR Director at the American Heart Association, and Jennifer Stern, Chief of Staff at Defiant Food Group, will share real-world insights on workplace expectations, professional communication, office dynamics and common early-career mistakes to avoid. RSVP at the following URL. Questions: Contact vcu.shrm@gmail.com. The sponsor for the event is Dorothy Fountaine (fountainedr@vcu.edu).

For more information, contact Cooper Meidinger at meidingerca@vcu.edu or visit https://cglink.me/2dV/r1945498.

Thursday, Apr. 16, 2026 at noon

Jesse Senechal, Ph.D., will explore a Richmond-based partnership supporting multilingual youth through collaborative, community-rooted research at a virtual division session of Commmunity Engagement via Zoom. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Challen Wellington at wellingtonc@vcu.edu or visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf2vmjIHdAct5Ht1e82XWr2pbVQ6MzLTg8G497vk9t_DOtGOg/viewform?usp=header.

Thursday, Apr. 16, 2026 from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Health Professions Organization will present HPO: Hands of Hope Volunteer Event in Room 2105, Grace E. Harris Hall, 1015 Floyd Ave. The event is geared for those who need volunteer hours and want to network and make new connections.

For more information, contact Tobi Ojo at ojote@vcu.edu.

Friday, Apr. 17, 2026 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Explore practical tools – such as web accessibility checkers, color contrast analyzers and descriptive link practices – for making your course materials accessible and Title II-compliant. This session via Zoom offers guidance on applying these strategies to PDFs, slides and online content. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to refine your accessibility practices, you’ll leave with clear, actionable steps to support inclusive teaching. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Michele Murray at mmurray2@vcu.edu or visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfoaAkV0iyJu3bB3d6QE0N0fMxz-63uqnMjztCiAzv6ldKk8w/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=108408918132427679850.

Tuesday, Apr. 21, 2026 from noon to 2:30 p.m.

The L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs Research Institute for Social Equity (RISE) and Policy Pathways, Inc. will present the UNCOUNTED Virginia Kick-Off at VCU's Raleigh Building, 1001 W. Franklin St. This event will mark the official launch of Uncounted: Virginia, an initiative focused on preventing, documenting and analyzing in-custody deaths across the Commonwealth as part of a broader national effort. The program will feature a panel discussion with members of the Uncounted National team, followed by a book discussion and signing with UCLA professor and author of "The Coroner's Silence," Terence Keel, Ph.D. This event is free and open to the public, but an RSVP is requested at https://tinyurl.com/3c9xa2rs.

For more information, contact Tivoli Dabney at dabneytt2@vcu.edu or (804) 912-8922 or visit https://rise.vcu.edu/.

Tuesday, Apr. 21, 2026 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Do you have questions about résumés and cover letters, or how to find an internship? Chat with a Peer Career Adviser (PCA) from Career Services at the Science Hub in the STEM Building, Room 201, 817 W. Franklin St. PCAs will be ready to review documents and answer questions. Register in advance at the following URL to reserve your spot.

For more information, contact Ashley Worthington at worthingtonar@vcu.edu or visit https://forms.gle/GEPZ2uZWtHs4cQPq5.

Wednesday, Apr. 22, 2026 at 10:30 a.m.

VCU's Graduate School, in collaboration with the Graduate Students Association, will host the 29th annual Graduate Research Symposium in the ballrooms of the University Student Commons, 907 Floyd Ave. The event will feature the work of over 140 graduate students.

For more information, contact Ronald Byamungu at ronaldb@vcu.edu or visit https://graduate.vcu.edu/current-students/professional-development/graduate-research-symposium/.

Thursday, Apr. 23, 2026 at noon

In this virtual session, brought to you by VCU HR and Atlantic Union Bank, we will discuss why personal insurance coverage matters. We will also focus on protecting what matters most to you. Register in Talent@VCU or at: https://bit.ly/4dE7IMD

For more information, contact Cindi Phares at cphares@vcu.edu or visit https://hr.vcu.edu/worklife-at-vcu/employee-events/.

Thursday, Apr. 23, 2026 from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Health Professions Organization presents HPO: Study and Snack in Room 2105, Grace E. Harris Hall, 1015 Floyd Ave. As the semester winds down and the push for finals is underway, HPO offers space to study while enjoying some free food. Join the group for productive and fun studying.

For more information, contact Tobi Ojo at ojote@vcu.edu.

Tuesday, Apr. 28, 2026 from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The abstract deadline has been extended to 5 p.m. Friday, April 17 for the 20th Annual Women's Health Research Day, a celebration and promotion of research activities in women’s health at VCU, presented by the Institute for Women's Health. This year’s symposium, “Midlife Matters: Integrating Menopause Research, Innovation and Impact,” begins at 1 p.m. and will be followed by a poster session and reception from 3-4:30 p.m. in the Jonah L. Larrick Student Center, 900 Turpin St. Abstract submissions are welcome from all fields that incorporate elements of women’s health and/or sex and gender differences. Awards will be presented for outstanding posters in Basic Science, Clinical/Translational Science and Community Science, as well as monetary awards for the Early Career Investigator Award and the Building Bridges in Interdisciplinary Women’s Health Research Award. Visit the following URL to register and to submit an abstract.

For more information, contact Molly Hyer at molly.hyer@vcuhealth.org or visit https://womenshealth.vcu.edu/research/womens-health-research-day-2026/.

Richmond Public Schools is working to establish a local teachers institute modeled after the nationally recognized Yale National Initiative, a professional development program that strengthens content knowledge for K-12 teachers. As part of this effort, VCU tenured faculty who teach are invited to participate in a sponsored four-day program at Yale University July 6–9, 2026 (travel July 5 and 10). Contact Valerie Schwarz at the following email address by Friday, April 17. Limited slots are available.

For more information, contact Valerie Schwarz at vschwarz@rvaschools.net or visit https://teachers.yale.edu/.

VCU celebrates all working learners (student employees) and their supervisors during National Student Employer Week. Working learners perform invaluable services with enthusiasm, dedication and initiative. This week is an opportunity to celebrate and recognize the 4,000+ VCU student staff and their supervisors who contribute in critical and valuable ways to our community. Check out the week’s happenings, which include a bingo card and prizes for students, at the following URL.

For more information, contact Aimee Selleck at selleckap@vcu.edu or visit https://tinyurl.com/VCUNSEW26.

VCU's Council for Community Engagement is accepting nominations for the 2026 Excellence in Community Engagement Awards. These awards recognize individuals, teams and partners who exemplify community engagement, collaboration and a commitment to addressing real-world challenges. Nominees demonstrate meaningful partnerships that bridge the university and community, creating impactful, reciprocal learning across teaching, research and service. The five award categories are Excellence in Community Engaged Teaching, Excellence in Community Engaged Research, Excellence in Community Engagement (Faculty or Staff), Excellence in Community Engagement (Students or Postdocs) and Outstanding University Community Partner. Nominations should be submitted along with a letter of support by Friday, April 17 at the following URL.

For more information, contact Misti Mueller at muellermr@vcu.edu or visit https://forms.gle/N8487Vzr9v9zc9he9.

Want to turn your experience into impact? This 3-credit course fulfills Virginia’s 72-hour Peer Recovery Specialist training requirement and is open to all majors. The class will meet Mon/Wed 2–3:15 p.m. with monthly Friday labs. The class will meet in-person at VCU. You are eligible if you have at least one year of lived experience in substance use or mental health recovery or are a family member of someone with a mental health/substance use challenge. Complete the course and 500 hours and qualify to sit for PRS certification. Spots are limited.

For more information, contact Lauren de Treville Powell, Ed.D. at detrevillelj@vcu.edu or visit http://recovery.vcu.edu.

The Research in Athlete and Military Health Sciences (RAMHS) group is seeking participants ages 14-30 years to complete a research study assessing hip muscle function following ankle sprains. You may participate if you either have a first-time lateral ankle sprain or have no ankle sprain history and are healthy (control group). This study will require one in-person study visit at our research laboratory at Biotech 8, electronic questionnaire about your health and sport participation, ultrasound imaging assessments of your hip at rest (lying down) and during light activity (squatting, treadmill walking) and hip muscle strength assessments. Participants with ankle sprains will also be asked to complete remote, electronic surveys at three and six months after the in-person visit.

For more information, contact Crystal Figueroa at crystal.figueroa@vcuhealth.org or (804) 827-0871.

A study in the Department of Psychology at VCU is recruiting participants to investigate the effects of alcohol use and mood within friendships. In this in-person experiment, you will bring a close friend from your real life to the laboratory session and complete several behavioral tasks and surveys. You may be randomly assigned to consume alcohol. The in-person portion of this study will not take longer than two hours to complete. You may earn either SONA credit or $20 USD. Your eligibility is determined by a screening survey. To participate in this event, click on the following URL.

For more information, contact Wyatt Brown at brownw8@vcu.edu or visit https://vcupsych.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8icpTWvtLFvjbo2.