1 p.m.

VCU's Office of First and Second Year Experiences invites you to learn about the incoming first-year class of 2026. Come hear about what our newest first-year students tell us about their start at VCU to help inform your work at the start of this new semester. Visit the following URL to register for a virtual session or sign up to receive a recording.

For more information, contact Jonathan Fuller at fullerjd2@vcu.edu or visit https://forms.gle/3E73td2mCANXaX6XA.

11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

VCU Health Hub, 1330 N. 25th St., Suite A, will host the RVA Street Singers, a group that meets to build community through song. The group shares lunch and converation, rehearses and performs.

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

11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Join VCU Health Hub, 1330 N. 25th St., Suite A, for food, conversation and community resources that promote resilience, mental wellness and stronger connections for individuals and families.

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

6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Join Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center to welcome Chidinma Ibe, Ph.D., Johns Hopkins University, to share her research via Zoom on the involvement of community members in the research process. She will share how she has partnered with community to create a tool to help monitor and evaluate community engagement in research. This session is geared for those who want to learn more about community engagement in research, become more involved in the research process and are interested in learning more about the scientific discoveries that are changing how groups work together to imagine a future without cancer. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Katelyn Schifano at engagemassey@vcu.edu or visit https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/T43ciYKZQUGFAtgN9dn3MA.

Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

VCU Health Hub, 1330 N. 25th St., Suite A, will host an active learning and support program for people living with dementia and their care partners.

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

Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Join the Health Hub on weekly walks around Church Hill. All walks will start and end at the VCU Health Hub at 1330 N. 25th St., Suite A.

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

Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026 at noon

Start saving smart. Join VCU HR and Virginia Credit Union (VACU) in one of their top seminars. They will help you find the right goals and show you how to meet (and exceed) them. Register in Talent@VCU or at: https://bit.ly/4puAYcS

For more information, contact Cindi Phares at cphares@vcu.edu or visit https://ramstrong.vcu.edu/events/upcoming-events-for-employees/.

Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026 at 3 p.m.

Top Hat will host a new webinar for instructors via Zoom. Discover how to leverage the new Ace AI tool intentionally to personalize learning, generate interactive content in seconds and streamline your workflow both inside and outside the classroom. For more details and additional Top Hat training session information, please visit https://blogs.vcu.edu/classroomtechnology/2026/07/30/whats-new-with-top-hat-elevating-engagement-and-efficiency-with-ai. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact VCU Instructional Computing Services at tophat@vcu.edu or visit https://tophat.zoom.us/meeting/register/8BhkSY6xSIKi3b1dd7aoug#/registration.

Friday, Aug. 14, 2026 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

One of the benefits of working at a university is the access to pursuing or continuing your own education. The benefit may be used for academic credit in a VCU undergraduate, graduate or first-professional degree course. Whether you are taking advantage of or interested in taking advantage of the tuition benefit, join this informational session to learn more about the benefit and the tax rules that apply to you as a student. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Veronica B. King at vbking@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.zoom.us/meeting/register/VLCJ6BO9TByvIdahmTlL1w.

Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026 at noon

VCU's Department of Epidemiology will host the Fall 2026 Epi Forum Seminar Series. This year's theme highlights epidemiology as an interdisciplinary field, showcasing the breadth of its faculty’s research. Through these presentations, the department seeks to discover opportunities for collaboration across disciplines and foster meaningful connections within and beyond the department. The session will be at One Capitol Square, Room 644, 830 E. Main St. Refreshments will be provided. Register for the Zoom link at the following URL.

For more information, contact Maggie Christ at christmm@vcu.edu or visit https://epidemiology.vcu.edu/seminar/.

Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026 from 11 a.m. to noon

The Central Virginia Society of Clinical Research Associates (SOCRA) Chapter and VCU's C. Kenneth and Dianne Wright Regional Center for Clinical and Translational Research will host a virtual meeting via Zoom. Laura Adkins (MAP, CCRP, CCRA, AdvCRS), Director of Research Regulatory Affairs at the University of Arkansas, will lead a discussion about best practices for monitoring clinical research studies. CE will be provided to SOCRA members. All are welcome. Registration is required. Register 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/KysY7UXjSpCUEjhrLrVg2w.

Grade sheets are now available on faculty eServices. Grades are due by noon today, Tuesday, Aug. 11, at which time grade entry will no longer be available. It is imperative to meet this deadline to complete all end-of-the-semester processes. Faculty may choose to use the feature to upload grades from an excel file into eServices. Faculty may only access grade sheets for courses to which they have been assigned.

For more information, contact Office of the University Registrar at rar@vcu.edu.

VCU Procurement Services announces that beginning Friday, Aug. 15, VCU departments will be able to purchase industrial, medical and specialty gases, laboratory and safety products, welding supplies and related items through the new Airgas eCatalog in RealSource. Airgas will offer two virtual training sessions covering catalog navigation, account selection, quotes and order placement. Date and time: Wednesday, Aug. 12 at 3 p.m. Registration: https://vcu.zoom.us/meeting/register/cZqhWAKgQnKurqzbzjvvqg Date and time: Thursday, Aug. 13 at 10 a.m. Registration: https://vcu.zoom.us/meeting/register/hB7DwwdoQ5ay-8XLULCQWA

For more information, contact Abigail Zaremba at apzaremba@vcu.edu.

Stay connected to the supportive programs and resources provided by VCU HR by following their social media platforms. Daily posts share reminders and updates that can enhance your workplace experience and strengthen your connections to the VCU community. Follow on Facebook (vcuhumanresources), Instagram (vcuhumanresources), and X (@VCUHR)

For more information, contact VCU Human Resources at askhr@vcu.edu or visit https://www.hr.vcu.edu.

VCU tenure-track faculty are invited to join an in-person community of scholars focused on strengthening community-engaged research through peer exchange, shared learning and connections to funding pathways and institutional supports. Apply by Monday, Sept. 14 at the following URL.

For more information, contact Mitsuko Cedras at cedrasmd@vcu.edu or visit https://community.vcu.edu/community/cersc/.

If you have worn the uniform and now call VCU home, this is for you. Whether you are student, faculty or staff, we want you to be a part of the HERO Study – a clinical trial funded by the Department of Defense. We are studying a noninvasive technique that may help people with a history of concussion or mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) who still suffer from lingering effects. Be part of a federally funded initiative to transform care for military service personnel. Get financial compensation for your time and commitment. Your best interests will be at the forefront of all study obligations, including flexible scheduling and confidential participation. Help shape the future of brain health - for yourself and for others. See if you qualify at the following URL.

For more information, contact HERO Study at herostudy@vcu.edu or (804) 827-9692 or visit http://hero-study.org.

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 Eight (737 N. Fifth St.), an 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. Questions: Contact Crystal Figueroa at the following URL.

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

Recruiting adolescents between the ages of 13 and 19 who have 1) never had a diagnosed concussion OR 2) sustained a concussion within the last 14 days. This noninvasive study is investigating the acoustic startle reflex and acoustic startle potentiation in relationship to subsequent injury following concussion. Participants will be compensated for their time. See the interest form at the following URL.

For more information, contact Jessie Oldham at oldhamjr@vcu.edu or visit https://redcap.vcu.edu/surveys/?s=YKDWLNYWDNK7M7KX.

The Neurology Continuing Education team is seeking eight to 10 adults to serve as patient models during the VCU Neurovascular Ultrasound Course hands-on laboratories. Models are needed the for following dates and times: Saturday, Sept. 19: 7:30 a.m.–3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 20: 7:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Compensation: $25 per hour. Models will receive noninvasive transcranial Doppler and carotid ultrasound examinations. Regular breaks will be provided.

For more information, contact Briana Garnett at briana.garnette@vcuhealth.org or visit https://neurology.vcu.edu/education/cpe/.

This study is seeking individuals between the ages of 18 and 35 years who have GAD or symptoms of GAD. The purpose of this research study is to examine the effect of cold water immersion on GAD symptoms with specific focus on blood vessel function. This study will be conducted at 500 Academic Centre on VCU’s Monroe Park Campus. Principle Investigator: Ryan Garten, Ph.D., Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences.

For more information, contact Ryan Garten at rsgarten@vcu.edu.

This study is seeking individuals between the ages of 18 and 55 years who have PTSD or symptoms of PTSD. The purpose of this research study is to examine the effect of heat therapy (infrared sauna) on PTSD symptoms with specific focus on blood vessel function. This study will be conducted at 500 Academic Centre on VCU’s Monroe Park Campus. Principle Investigator: Ryan Garten, Ph.D., Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences.

For more information, contact Ryan Garten at rsgarten@vcu.edu.