3rd Annual Transformative Learning Week
Transformative Learning Week is an annual initiative that highlights and encourages collaboration on transformative learning experiences at VCU. This approach to education centers on reflection, personal development, and experiential learning through internships, research, and community engagement. By merging academic knowledge with real-world experience, students develop critical thinking and self-discovery, preparing them to be independent learners and active citizens. The week’s goals are to showcase opportunities, provide networking for faculty, staff, and students, foster cross-unit collaboration, and engage in service activities that benefit the Richmond community. Last year, VCU News featured Transformative Learning Week for celebrating experiential education at VCU. Read more here.
What is Transformative Learning at VCU?
Transformative Learning empowers you to connect what you learn in the classroom with real-world experience. Through programs like REAL, Service Learning, Undergraduate Research, and VIP, you will Connect, Create, and Contribute, building the skills and perspective to become a reflective, socially responsible, and career-ready graduate.
Learning in Action: VCU Student Stories
Have you had a learning experience that changed the way you think, learn, or engage with others? Transformative Learning wants to feature you! We’re highlighting VCU students who’ve participated in experiential learning opportunities—like service-learning, internships, research, study abroad, or leadership programs. Share your story and inspire others to take their learning beyond the classroom!
Why Partner?
Partnering in Transformative Learning Week helps highlight the innovative, experiential learning happening across VCU. Showcase your unit’s expertise, engage students beyond the classroom, and strengthen collaboration across campus.
Want to get involved? Co-host an event, provide a speaker, or share opportunities through your channels to help make the week a success.
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Want to get involved?
Transformative Learning Week is your chance to experience VCU’s hands-on, reflective approach to learning. Attend events, connect with students and faculty, and discover how real-world experiences shape personal growth and success.
See the full schedule of events below.
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Transformative Learning Week Events
Advancing Scholarship Through Community Engagement
Sponsoring Unit: Division of Community Engagement
Date: 10/22
Time: 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM
This workshop will feature tenured VCU faculty who have successfully transformed their community engagement and outreach activities into scholarly outputs and contributions to the science of community engagement. Participants will also join small group discussions to share experiences and explore strategies for their own scholarship.
Vertically Integrated Projects Showcase.
Sponsoring Unit: Transformative Learning/VIP Program
Where: The Shift Retail Lab
Date: 10/24
Time: 12-3pm
Students and faculty leading current Vertically Integrated Projects share their research and project-based learning initiatives. Students interested in joining a VIP team, as well as faculty who are considering starting their own VIP, are invited to attend and learn about projects, models, and best practices.
REAL RAPP for Supervisors: Empowering Growth Through Raw, Authentic, Purposeful Practices
Sponsoring Unit: Shay Lumpkin, TRIO Programs & Career Services
Where: Virtual
Date: 10/27
Time: 11:00a – 12:00p
Supervisors play a critical role in helping student workers develop essential life skills, gain self-awareness, and strengthen workplace morale. This session invites supervisors to reimagine development in their everyday work by integrating feedback, reflection, and shared learning opportunities. Participants will identify practical ways to turn management into mentorship, connect daily tasks with long-term goal-setting, and build more empowered teams.
REAL RAPP for Student Staff: Empowering Growth Through Raw, Authentic, Purposeful Practices
Sponsoring Unit: Shay Lumpkin, TRIO Programs & Career Services
Where: Virtual
Date: 10/27
Time: 1:00-2:00pm
Every role you hold shapes the skills, mindset, and confidence that build your future. When you learn to connect everyday work experiences with long-term goals, you become more intentional, adaptable, and empowered. This session invites working learners to explore how self-awareness and development can guide professional growth. Participants will practice tangible goal-setting, engage in guided reflection, and identify practical tools to measure success.
Finding & Funding International Internships
Sponsoring Unit: Career Services
Where: Virtual
Date: 10/27
Time: 3-4pm
Want to learn about internships, including those abroad from VCU Global Education Office and VCU Career Services? We'll discuss what an internship is & why it's important, how to find and fund internships, and next steps.
Designing Your Life: Reflect, Connect, Transform
Sponsoring Unit: Mary-Chris Escobar & Lloyd Young
Where: ALC 4100
Date: 10/27
Time: 4:30 - 5:30pm
Using design-thinking principles, turn insight into action and design the transformative experiences you want to have at VCU and beyond. Open to students, faculty, and staff.
Transformative Learning Information Fair
Sponsoring Unit: Transformative Learning in partnership with other units
Where: Commons Plaza
Date: 10/28
Time: 10am - 12pm
Explore Transformative Learning at VCU! Visit the Transformative Learning Information Fair to meet program leaders, learn about hands-on opportunities, and discover how to connect your academic experience with real-world impact. Participate in a Scavenger Hunt to explore VCU’s Transformative Learning spaces and win prizes! The first 100 students to attend the fair between 10-11am will receive free Kona Ice!
“Making the Most of Your Graduate Mentor Relationship” with Dr. Michael Hunt
Sponsoring Unit: VCU Graduate School
Where: Virtual
Date: 10/28
Time: 12:30-1:30pm
Learn how to build and sustain an effective mentor relationship in this virtual workshop with Dr. Michael Hunt. Discover strategies for clear communication, setting expectations, and navigating challenges for a more productive graduate experience.
Building Our Future: A Sustainability Workshop
Sponsoring Unit: VCU da Vinci Center & VCU Sustainability
Where: Shift Retail Lab
Date: 10/28
Time: 12-1:30pm
Your mission: build a better tomorrow. From sketches to LEGO® builds, explore how creativity can shape a more sustainable future for VCU and beyond.
Every Ram’s a Researcher: Information Session for Faculty Interested in Becoming QEP Fellows
Sponsoring Unit: QEP
Where: Focused Inquiry Learning Lounge (Harris 5116)
Date: 10/28
Time: 2pm
Learn how to become a QEP Fellow and support VCU students in hands-on research experiences. This session is for faculty interested in engaging with transformative learning through the Every Ram’s a Researcher initiative. Announcement coming soon to coincide with call for faculty fellows applications.
Bagel Wednesday and Pizza Friday at the Student Media Center
Sponsoring Unit: Student Media Center
Where: Student Media Center
Date: 10/29 & 10/31
Time: 10:30a (Bagel Wednesday) & 12:30p (Pizza Friday)
Get to know other students at the SMC and find out how to get involved in any of the eight award-winning student-run media organizations.
Fall Internship & Career Fair
Sponsoring Unit: Career Services
Where: Second floor of the University Student Commons
Date: 10/29
Time: 12-3pm
Connect with organizations offering authentic, real-world work that advances your career development. Are you looking to explore potential careers through part-time or full-time jobs, internships, volunteering, or international experiences? We've got that! Or network with organizations seeking part-time or full-time employees. This is your chance!
Enhancing Student Reflection with Adobe Express
Sponsoring Unit: LEDStudio & VCU Libraries
Where: Virtual
Date: 10/29
Time: 12-1pm
Looking for engaging assignment ideas that encourage students to reflect on and showcase their learning? This introductory workshop will explore how Adobe Express can support transformative learning experiences by helping students creatively document their journeys through videos, podcasts, and visual presentations. Learn how to integrate these tools into your course to deepen student reflection and demonstrate impact in meaningful ways.
VCU Globe Tabling Event
Sponsoring Unit: VCU Global Education Office
Where: Cabell Library
Date: 10/29
Time: 12-2pm
Interested in learning more the VCU Globe Certificate Program? Meet folks from the VCU Global Education Office to learn more about the program and VCU Globe!
Emerging Researchers Academy-Personal Narrative Workshop
Sponsoring Unit: VCU Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program & Writing Center
Where: Virtual
Date: 10/29
Time: 3-4pm
This online Writing Center workshop is designed to make you more familiar with personal narrative assignments and writing in a more personal way. Narrative Writing is a piece of writing that tells a story and often makes connections from personal experience. These types of assignments are typical in Focused Inquiry courses but are assigned across disciplines. It can be difficult to write in this form because you may not be familiar with writing in a more personal way, especially in academia, but this workshop will give you the tools to write personally and confidently!
Service-learning Info Sessions
Sponsoring Unit: Transformative Learning
Where: Virtual
Date: 10/30
Time: 10:30 – 11:15 AM
Learn how to get involved with Transformative Learning at VCU! Join an upcoming info session to discover programs and opportunities that help students connect classroom learning with real-world experiences through research, internships, service, and creative projects.
Service Event: 3rd Annual Cards for Seniors
Sponsoring Unit: Transformative Learning
Where: Shift Retail Lab
Date: 10/30
Time: 1:30-4
Join us for the 3rd Annual Cards for Seniors event, where VCU students and community members come together to create handwritten cards for older adults in Richmond. This Transformative Learning experience fosters connection, empathy, and joy across generations.
No RSVP needed.
Service Event: Movie & Popcorn & Craft & Kindness Volunteer Opportunity with RPS
Sponsoring Unit: Transformative Learning
Where: Lois-Harrison Jones Elementary and Dogwood Middle
Date: 10/31
Time: Multiple Time Slots Available!
Join students at Lois-Harrison Jones Elementary and Dogwood Middle for a Movie and Popcorn incentive event. Volunteers are needed to help with the Craft & Kindness station, a fun hands-on way to support students while spreading positivity.
Service Event: Volunteer With Ram Pantry
Sponsoring Unit: Transformative Learning
Where: Ram Pantry
Date: 10/27 - 10/31
Time: Multiple Time Slots Available
Join students at Lois-Harrison Jones Elementary and Dogwood Middle for a Movie and Popcorn incentive event. Volunteers are needed to help with the Craft & Kindness station, a fun hands-on way to support students while spreading positivity.