SPCS offering free classes among 'Fifty Events' during School's Fiftieth Anniversary celebration

The School of Professional and Continuing Studies will offer over fifty different ways to engage with the School during its yearlong fiftieth anniversary celebration. Among these engagement opportunities—titled “Fifty Events”—will be a series of free noncredit classes.

All events will be detailed on the School's Fiftieth Anniversary website. The website will be unveiled on September 17, the fiftieth anniversary of the first classes offered at University College.

The following free courses are now available for online registration.

Designer Secrets for Decorating with Style

Thursday, September 13, 2012, 6-8 p.m. | Register Online | Instructor Marilyn Creech

Do you dream of having your rooms look like they stepped out of the pages of decorating magazines? This is the class for you! Learn exclusive secrets of the trade to decorate with lavish style. We will explore 25 different design and decorating ideas used by the pros. Solve the mystery of how to get the "wow" factor in every room of your home.

Free GRE & LSAT Strategy Workshops

Tuesday, October 2, 2012 | 5:30-7 p.m. GRE; 7-8:30 p.m. LSAT | Register Online

Join the School of Professional & Continuing Studies for its free GRE and LSAT Strategy Workshops. Each session is free to attend and open to the public, but registration is required. Follow the Register Online link to reserve a space. The Strategy Workshop will introduce the GRE and LSAT exams; focus on test mechanics; review test administration and scoring; provide students with ideas about preparing for the exams, either on their own or through SPCS prep courses; and provide valuable tips for taking each exam.

Richmond’s Women: The Civil War & Emancipation Era

Tuesday, October 2, 2012, 6-7 p.m. | Register Online | Instructor Dr. Lauranett Lee

Dr. Lauranett Lee, Curator of African American History at the Virginia Historical Society, weaves the life stories and contributions of twelve women into the fabric of Richmond’s mid-19th century history.

Thursday, October 4, 2012, 7-9 p.m. | Register Online | Instructor Sam Bruce

Is it time to update your resume? Learn the best ways to highlight your experience, education and abilities with this résumé-writing workshop! Sam Bruce, from the University's Center for Career Management, will teach you the newest resume formats and how to choose the best format for you. He will also show you how to make your resume stand out and get noticed.

iMassage For Quick Relief

Saturday, October 6, 2012, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. | Register Online | Instructor Samantha Anderson

Do you find that your fingers and hands are aching after a day of texting and responding to emails on your smart phone or i-device? Come learn some quick and easy massage techniques to use yourself or with friends and family to relieve the pain and discomfort associated with continual use of hand-held electronics. Samantha Anderson, Certified Massage Therapist, and program coordinator for the Massage Therapy Studies program, will show you how to save your hands and arms from pain!

Hello Richmond! What You Always Wanted to Know

Sunday, October 7, 2012, 5:30-7:30 p.m. | Register Online | Instructor Alyson Taylor-White

What a fun, fabulous way to learn what's 'Really Richmond!' Taking this course will give you exciting opportunities to explore our richly diverse city and see what it has to offer from historical, cultural, and social perspectives. Learn more about Richmond's fun and sometimes quirky history so that you can be your family's or your group's personal guide through historic sites in our own back yard!

Interviewing Skills

Thursday, October 11, 2012, 7-9 p.m. | Register Online | Instructor Sam Bruce

Learn the best ways to prepare for that job interview and stand out from the crowd. Sam Bruce, from the University's Center for Career Management will discuss the best practices of interviewing and teach you the skills you need to answer any interview question.

What NOT to Wear

Saturday, October 13, 2012, 12-1 p.m. | Register Online | Instructor Ranee Kamens

Join Ranee Kamens, professional organizer and stylist for the What NOT to Wear workshop. With her keen eye and impeccable fashion sense, Ranee will help participants determine which clothes work well for their body type, what clothes are appropriate for certain settings, and how to accessorize.

Organizing Basics

Thursday, October 25, 2012, 5:45-7:15 p.m. | Register Online | Instructor Kathy Jenkins

Even though a sheet of paper is only 0.004 inches think, several can add up to bury your desktop under miles of bills, letters, reminders, and other important documents. Come join professional organizer Kathy Jenkins, of Come To Order, to learn the basics of organizing.

Coaching and Counseling: There IS a Difference!

Tuesday, November 6, 2012, 6-8 p.m. | Register Online | Instructor Dr. Dick Leatherman

The words coaching and counseling are often used synonymously. Yet, coaching and counseling are two very different actions. Coaching is helping a person become even more effective. Counseling is a skill used to correct an individual's problems. This practical and applied, hands-on workshop will deal with both subjects and help you become effective in using both with your associates.

Meditation I: Introduction to Meditation

Sunday, November 11, 2012, 12:30-2 p.m. | Register Online | Instructor Marc McGahee

This course is designed for those who are new to meditation or those who would like to enhance their meditation skills. By learning how to meditate successfully, you will be able to better manage the everyday stresses that come into your life and move beyond any blocks that keep you stuck in old patterns of thinking and behavior. By learning to calm the mind, harmony and wholeness in your life can be enhanced and specific goals can be met.