JMU Summer Programs

Mahatma Gandhi Center for Global Nonviolence

Dr. Sushil Mittal, Director of The Gandhi Center for Global Nonviolence seeks to advance the understanding and practice of nonviolence through Gandhi′s principles. The Children′s Global Nonviolence Summer Camp was one of the recent activities of the Gandhi Center.

The Center hosted this week–long opportunity for local children to explore principles of nonviolence in a fun and educational environment. A newly established partnership with Skyline Middle School promotes reading books about peace and nonviolence, and provides opportunities to integrate these concepts in discussions and classroom interactions.

The Gandhi–King Prison Initiative is involved locally with residents at Gemeinschaft Home for nonviolent offenders through a book group. Regionally, nonviolence is explored through class lectures and a book group with a class of students at Powhatan Correctional Center, a maximum security complex in Powhatan, Virginia. For additional information please contact the Gandhi Center.

CyberCity

CyberCity at JMU is a unique, hands-on, and project-based summer program for under–represented high–school students and their teachers that increases awareness of information technology skills and careers, as well as enhances the students′ aspirations for a college education.

Three professors from the Computer Information Systems & Management Science program in JMU’s College of Business, Thomas Dillon, Harry Reif and Daphyne Saunders Thomas, created CyberCity in 2007.

The technology camp is free and teaches students how to use real world tools in an open exploratory environment, and allows students to explore advanced technology as a means of solving real–world business and industry problems. CyberCity′s topics and activities are presented by JMU professors, alumni, students and business leaders.

During the four–day stay on campus, CyberCity attendees gain first–hand experiences of college life at JMU. Targeted participants include students and teachers from under–represented socio-economic populations across Virginia. The program demonstrates a commitment to diversity and academic excellence by creating a format that encourages high–school students to foster their interest in technology and to simultaneously prepare for successful matriculation from high school to college. For information on the program, contact Dr. Daphyne Thomas

 

 

Male Academy and Female Institute

The Center for Multicultural Student Services hosted 72 rising 9th through 12th grade high school students for a two–week academic summer program. During their time at JMU, the students engaged in academic sessions in the areas of math, history, and writing, as well as, UREC recreational activities. In addition, multiple speakers took the opportunity to share with students on various topics related to personal and character development issues.

Each year, the two–week period culminates in a Rites–of–passage ceremony that serves as the highlight of the program for the students and the parents. Additional details on these programs can be obtained from Trey Lewis, Associate Director of CMSS.

 

 

Middle School Leadership Academy Programs

JMU′s Middle School Leadership Academy works with students on three levels: academic support, community projects and college career readiness activities. This summer JMU hosted two camps, each lasting a week, with over 30 participants. Students participated from Richmond, Norfolk, Waynesboro, and Harrisonburg.

Among the many activities organized for the participants were workshops on college study skills, science experiments, presentation skills, and time management. If interested in partnering, providing a workshop or laboratory experience for MLSA, please contact Dr. David Owusu-Ansah, Special Assistant to the President for Faculty Diversity.

 

 

JMU Outreach & Engagement: Identity Camp

The office of Outreach & Engagement extends the resources of JMU′s campus by encouraging the creation and implementation of innovative educational opportunities within the community. The recently concluded Identity Camp explores diversity for children ages 7–12 by providing a better understanding on race, gender, conflict resolution, and family structure through activity–based learning. The focus was on explaining that there are different family systems, and that each of them was important.

Children maintained journals and reflected on the day′s activities in order to encourage a dialogue with their parents and share their learning experiences for the entire duration of the camp. For additional details on how to get involved with Identity Camp, please contact Carol Fleming, Director of Outreach and Engagement.

 

 

 

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