4th 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
Designing Your Life
Sponsoring Unit: da Vinci Center
Date: 10/26
Time: 1:00 – 2:00 PM
Using design-thinking principles to turn insight into action and design the transformative experiences you want to have at VCU and beyond. Open to students, faculty, and staff.
Finding & Funding International Internships
Sponsoring Unit: Career Services & Global Education
Where: Virtual
Date: 10/27
Time: 3 PM - 4 PM
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.
Bagel Wednesday
Sponsoring Unit: Student Media Center
Where: Student Media Center offices inside the Cary and Belvidere
Date: 10/28
Time: Starts at 10:30 AM
We are hosting our regular Bagel Wednesday event, the event starts at 10:30 a.m. in the Student Media Center offices inside the Cary and Belvidere residence hall, 301 W. Cary St. We'd love to extend a special invitation to anyone who wants to learn more about the transformative student experiential learning that goes on behind the scenes of our eight SMC media outlets!
Fall Internship & Career Fair
Sponsoring Unit: Career Services
Where: Second floor of the University Student Commons
Date: 10/28
Time: Noon - 3 PM
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!
Emerging Researchers Academy: Synthesis Workshop
Sponsoring Unit: Undergraduate Research
Where: Virtual
Date: 10/27
Time: 3-4 PM
Synthesizing is a key skill in the reading and writing process. Through reflection and critical analysis, engaging in synthesis assures us that we understand with a text as readers, and as writers ensures that we engage with the text in a new and meaningful way. This workshop will go over tips to more confidently and effectively incorporate synthesis into your research.
Transformative Learning Information Fair
Sponsoring Unit: Institute for Transformative Learning in partnership with other units
Where: Commons Plaza
Where: ALC 4100
Date: 10/27
Time: 1:00 - 3:00 PM
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.
Undergraduate Research Panel
Sponsoring Unit: Institute for Transformative Learning
Where: Room 112 in the STEM Building
Date: 10/28
Time: 5:30-6:30 PM
The Undergraduate Research Series hosts staff from the VCU Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Inquiry as well as a panel of undergraduate researchers to share opportunities and insights for students at the undergraduate level who are interested in gaining research experiences. Students who join us will learn what it's like to do research as an undergraduate and next steps on how to get involved.
Inquiry and Research in the Classroom: Building Student Experiences through Project-Based Learning
Sponsoring Unit: VCU Graduate School
Where: Virtual
Date: 10/30
Time: 10-11:15 AM
Research and scholarly inquiry don't have to be confined to a traditional research paper or reserved for advanced courses. Research-Supportive Project-Based Learning (RS-PBL) offers a flexible way to build research into existing courses and assignments, helping students ask meaningful questions, investigate ideas, and apply their learning. Learn how to embed the foundational elements of research and scholarly inquiry directly into your existing course, in any discipline and at any level, using the RS-PBL framework! Project-based learning is proven effective as a form of experiential learning that fosters transferable skills and career readiness.
Service-Learning Teaching Assistant Info Session
Sponsoring Unit: Institute for Transformative Learning
Where: TBD
Date: TBD
Time: TBD
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.