What Is It?
What is the purpose of the MYMOM program?
The purpose of the MYMOM program is to gain insight into your own personal values, leadership styles, facilitation techniques, and decision-making through a semester long leadership program (fall semester). MYMOM is designed to be a springboard into authentic involvement at JMU.
How is MYMOM different from Kijiji?
Let's start with MYMOM:
Make Your Mark On Madison is a semester long leadership program focusing on helping Freshmen and Sophomore students find their place for authentic involvement at JMU. By providing programs for participants that help you gain insight into values, diversity, communication, and general leadership skills necessary for positive involvement on campus, it is our hope you will go out and live these ideals in your involvement on campus. MYMOM is offered only in the fall semester. Every participant is assigned to a Leadership Council, led by two upper-class facilitators with a wide range of experience and involvement on campus, as well as a lot of training for this position!
It is the goal of the program to help you connect with people and activities on campus that assist you in developing and finding your ideal involvement during your time here and allow you to "Make Your Mark" at JMU. MYMOM meets every Monday night from 7-9pm, beginning Sept. 21st, through the week before finals. The first hour is a formal program, followed by time spent in your "council" reflecting and discussing the program from that evening.
Now, about Kijiji:
It's a three-year program that meets once a week during both the fall and spring semesters. Each week there will be a "knock-your-socks-off" learning experience to help students become more familiar with who they are, what their passions are, and how they can be a citizen of influence. Focusing first on being a leader of one - themselves - students will then learn effective interpersonal skills for building teams and getting others involved. They'll also learn and apply core leadership skills and experience opportunities to solve real-world problems both on the JMU campus and in the surrounding communities. Kijiji program involvement begins with Sophomore students.
Who can be involved in the Program?
Any freshman or sophomore student who is looking to enhance their JMU experience through extracurricular involvement can apply to be part of the program.
When are the meetings?
Participants meet every Monday night from 7:00PM-9:00PM in the Highlands Room in Festival, beginning Monday, September 22nd and ending with a final banquet on Monday, December 1st. Attendance on Monday evenings is a requirement of the program.
How do I apply?
Applications can be accessed and downloaded by clicking the "Apply to be a Participant" tab above. The application must be printed out and turned into the Office of Student Activities and Involvement in Taylor 205 by Tuesday, September 8th at 5:00PM.
When would I hear if I was accepted?
The applicant pool will be narrowed down and select applicants will be asked to participate in fun group interviews from September 14th-16th. A final group of about 85 freshmen and sophomores will be chosen and notified no later than Wednesday, September 18th, to participate in the program. If you're planning to apply to the MYMOM program, save the date Saturday, September 20th, as we want full attendance to our MYMOM kick off retreat!
Will I get to meet new people?
The MYMOM program will not only introduce you to many freshmen and sophomore peers equally eager to make their mark on James Madison University, but also to fourteen of the most involved, talented, and vibrant student leaders, as well as some of the most dynamic faculty and staff JMU has to offer.
- You will attend a motivating and interactive retreat to kick off the program! This will be an opportunity to meet the other participants in your council along with your two upper class Leadership Counselors and begin to form friendships that will span your time here at JMU and beyond.
- You have the opportunity to interact with faculty and staff at JMU through weekly sessions on some of the most important issues facing student leaders and our University.
- You will participate in a community service project where the link between leadership and service will be experienced firsthand. Additionally, this service experience allows you to explore opportunities to volunteer in the Harrisonburg community.
Questions? Email Molly Manwaring and Layne Johnson at mymom2008@gmail.com
