Looking for help? You’ve come to the right place.
Getting started with your new Compass website can be tough, so here's some helpful resources to get you on your way:
- The university brand guidelines to understand how our brand works and download royalty-free images
- The Compass website to learn the ins and outs of the web framework
- The Compass example site, a deep-dive in how the web framework can be used through documentation and examples
- Enterprise Marketing and Communications, collaborators to the Compass Web Framework and the folks in charge of all things VCU branding and marketing
- Technology Services, collaborators to the Compass Web Framework and the folks in charge of technology at the university
- The university web standards and guidelines, a definitive guide to ensure your website meets the university's requirements for web properties
- Come to a Web Services open consultation for hands-on help with your website
The 26th Annual Graduate Research Symposium was held on April 25, 2023, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Commonwealth Ballrooms of the University Student Commons.
- 1st Place: Bryan Mckiver, Pharmacology and Toxicology Doctoral Program, School of Medicine
- 2nd Place: Natalie Truby, Neuroscience Doctoral Program, School of Medicine
- 3rd Place: Christiana Appiah, Clinical and Translational Sciences Doctoral Program, School of Medicine
The 25th Annual Graduate Research Symposium was held on April 19, 2022, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Commonwealth Ballrooms of the University Student Commons.
- 1st Place: Sam Gottlieb - School of Medicine
- 2nd Place: Lois Akinola - School of Medicine
- 3rd Place: Tie
- Rachel Barbieri - College of Humanities and Sciences
- Emily Brocato - School of Medicine
Why Should You Participate?
In today's interconnected world, the ability to communicate complex ideas to a broad audience is a critical skill. Whether you're talking to a potential employer, a grant funding committee, or a family member, making your research accessible and exciting is key to your success.
By participating, you will:
- Receive Professional Development: Get professional development support on public speaking and slide deck design in workshops leading up to the event.
- Develop Essential Communication Skills: Learn to strip away jargon and convey the core value and impact of your work to non-specialists.
- Prepare for Your Future Career: Gain invaluable practice for job talks, conference presentations, and networking events where making a clear, concise impression is crucial.
- Gain a Fresh Perspective: Receive feedback and questions from an intelligent, non-expert audience that can spark new ideas and reveal blind spots in your communication strategy.
- Build Your Interdisciplinary Network: Connect with fellow graduate students and faculty from across the university, opening doors for future collaborations.
- Earn a Digital Badge: Receive a verifiable badge upon completion to showcase your presentation skills on your CV, portfolio, or LinkedIn profile.
Why Attend?
Experience Graduate Research. Curious about the groundbreaking work happening at VCU? Join us for the Research Talks event, a dynamic presentation series where graduate students share their cutting-edge research in clear, compelling, non-technical language.
In just 12 minutes and 10 slides, presenters share the core impact of their work. It is a unique opportunity to explore diverse research from across the university in an accessible, engaging format.
See the full event agenda and speaker information on the Research Talks digital event program.
- Discover: Explore innovative projects from the arts to sciences.
- Connect: Network with peers and faculty across disciplines.
- Engage: Participate in lively interdisciplinary Q&A sessions.
Event Details
- When: Friday, Feb. 27, 2026 | 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
- Where: Cabell Library, Rooms 205 and 250
Register for sessions of your choice on RamsConnect.
Who Is This For?
Any graduate student who wants to improve their public speaking, prepare for an upcoming defense or conference, or simply learn how to make their research more impactful. Students are welcome to participate at any stage of their research from methodology to dissemination.
Ready to take the stage?
Develop your skills and share your passion.
The call for presenters will be open until Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025. Abstracts will be reviewed in early January and presenters will be confirmed by Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026.
- The Graduate School’s Office of Professional Development offers a series of short courses and experiences to assist graduate students seeking to gain broad, interdisciplinary skills for the workforce.
- These courses are open to all graduate students. The areas of study will include enhancing communication skills, resume writing, negotiation skills, and opportunities to discover alternative career paths.
- The courses include:
- GRAD 610 Career and Professional Development Planning for Graduate Students
Semester course, two lecture hours per week for seven weeks, one credit, fall and spring semesters. Tuition rates apply for GRAD courses based on your academic discipline. - GRAD 612 Oral Presentation Skill-building for Career Professionals
Semester course, one lecture hour, one credit, spring semester. Tuition rates apply for GRAD courses based on your academic discipline. - GRAD 693 Graduate Internship
Semester course; variable hours (60 hours per credit). 1-9 credits. Tuition rates apply for GRAD courses based on your academic discipline.
- GRAD 610 Career and Professional Development Planning for Graduate Students
The Graduate School is committed to ensuring that students have a broad support network of mentors and professionals to assist with career development and advancement. Throughout the year, several interactive workshops will be conducted to assist graduate students at all levels with developing a mentoring network.
VCU is a member of the Center for the Integration of Research, Teaching, and Learning (CIRTL), a network of research universities committed to preparing outstanding future faculty with the ultimate goal of improving undergraduate education across all disciplines.
CIRTL offers benefits for graduate students and postdoctoral scholars.
Virginia Commonwealth University has partnered with Credly to provide students with a digital version of their credentials. Digital badges can be used in email signatures or digital resumes, and on social media sites such as LinkedIn, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter). This digital image contains verified metadata that describes your qualifications and the process required to earn them. Benefits of digital badges include:
- a web-enabled version of your achievements that can be shared online
- a more efficient way of posting your skills to social media platforms
- access to labor market insights that relate your skills to top occupations
- a trusted method for real-time training verification
The Graduate School offers several badges that students can obtain.
To meet the growing demand for well-trained qualitative researchers, both nationally and internationally, the VCU Graduate Credential of Completion in Qualitative Research recognizes doctoral students who pursue an advanced course of study in qualitative research methods. The GCCQR requires that VCU doctoral students in good standing complete 12 hours of coursework in qualitative research methods, including a 3-credit introductory course and 9 credits of an advanced course. This is a great opportunity for doctoral students who plan to do a qualitative or mixed-methods dissertation.
Throughout the year, the Graduate School provides ongoing support and resources for students serving as Graduate Teaching Assistants. This includes an orientation at the beginning of the fall semester which partners with the Office of Student Conduct and Academic Integrity and Student Accessibility and Educational Opportunity to ensure all graduate students serving in a teaching capacity understand their roles and responsibilities. Additional workshops on inclusive teaching, best practices, and critical reflection occur throughout the year. Students can register for these free sessions through the Graduate School Rams Connect page.
The Graduate School is committed to ensuring that students have a broad support network of mentors and professionals to assist with career development and advancement. Throughout the year, several interactive workshops will be conducted to assist graduate students at all levels with developing a mentoring network. All mentoring professional development opportunities are free and available for registration through the Graduate School Rams Connect page.
The Three Minute Thesis Competition and Graduate Research Symposium are research presentation opportunities sponsored by the Graduate School that provide students with opportunities to share their research with the broader VCU community. Students are encouraged to use these university-wide events to gain experiences with sharing their research, presenting, and public speaking.
The Preparing Future Faculty Program at VCU offers short courses and professional development opportunities for graduate students interested in pursuing careers in higher education.
The Graduate Student Travel Grant program provides funds to support students presenting their research or academic work at conferences, summits, etc.
Through this program, the Graduate School will provide financial support of up to $500 for eligible graduate students. The grant can be used to cover conference costs, travel, lodging, etc.—any expenses incurred for participation as a presenter.
- Who is eligible? All degree-seeking students enrolled in master’s or doctoral programs at VCU are eligible to apply for this opportunity. Students receiving funding from this program must be a presenter at the academic event they are attending. Please note that first-professional students (D.D.S., M.D., Pharm.D.) are not eligible to apply.
- What are the restrictions? Awards are made without regard to quotas or distribution among fields and departments. However, no student will be funded for more than two trips in an academic year. Funding is limited, so students applying to the program are not guaranteed support.
- When is the deadline? Students may apply only in the semester in which they are presenting and must turn in their application at least one month before their proposed travel dates.