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Showcase of Graduate Student Scholarship and Creative Activity (AKA: The Grad Showcase) is scheduled for April 17, 2024 in the Hall of Presidents. Join your fellow graduate students for a day of research and scholarship, in which you share your achievements with the JMU community. There will be oral research presentations, followed by poster presentations, culminating in an evening awards ceremony and reception. More Information Poster Presentations are still being accepted, contact Laura Ryman at rymanle@jmu.edu

Graduate Student Association (GSA) News

Nominate a graduate student or faculty member who has made a positive impact on fellow graduate students and/or the local community for the Impact Award by Friday, March 29 at 11:59 pm. Fill out the form here

Apply for a Spring GSA Development Grant! These grants are to be awarded to students for entrance into professional societies, to attend workshops that will benefit their academic career, or other creative learning opportunities that would not be funded through travel grants or may not be supplemented by departments. Deadline is March 31 at 11:59 pm. Apply Here

Interested in taking the lead in supporting graduate students at JMU? We are looking for motivated people to join the GSA Executive Board for next year! 

  • The executive board is made up of the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Social Chair, and Program Representative Liaison. A description of each role here
  • If interested or want to learn more details, please reach out to gsa@dukes.edu

The GSA March Food Drive is still going! You can always continue to donate nonperishable food throughout the year and help out fellow grad students. Just leave food in the Grad&Go Food Pantry located inside the Graduate Student Lounge. 

Calling for suggestions regarding what to include in the GSA Lending Library, from which grad students can borrow items. Submit suggestions here

Events and Activities

Riva Lehrer is an artist, writer and curator who focuses on the socially challenged body. Recipient of multiple awards for her visual work, Lehrer is best known for representations of people whose physical embodiment, sexuality, or gender identity have long been stigmatized. Lehrer’s memoir, Golem Girl, won the 2020 Barbellion Prize for Literature and was a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award. She is represented by Regal Hoffman & Associates, NYC, and by Zolla/Lieberman Gallery, Chicago. Preregister 

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Join the International Graduate Community on a trip to D.C. to see the cherry blossoms, museums, the blossom kite festival and much more. Saturday, March 30 from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm. Contact Jyoti Levine at levin2je@jmu.edu or 540-568-8986.

International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) provides services, resources, and assistance to meet the students', scholars', and staff of JMU's visa and immigration needs, as well as programs and services to enhance their time at JMU. See the CGE website for more information.

Research Development Opportunities Abound This Semester! Keep abreast of these opportunities by subscribing. A full description of each event can be found here.

  • Wednesday, March 27, SPIN Database Training
    Virtual via ZOOM 11:30 AM-12:30 PM, Register
  • Thursday, April 11, April Madison Research Club
    Lakeview Hall 1104 11:30 AM-1:00 PM, Lunch provided Register

Duke Hall Gallery of Fine Art Exhibitions: Yulin Yuan MFA Thesis Exhibition - April 4, 2024 - May 4, 2024 - Her work explores identity, mythology, family history, and community through a multimedia artistic approach featuring collage, video, and photography. She is a Chinese-born South African international student pursuing her Master of Fine Arts degree at JMU having earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Cape Town.

Join us for an inspiring morning at Open Coffee with Emily Warden, hosted by the Gilliam Center for Entrepreneurship. Emily Warden, founder of Emily Warden Designs, will share her journey from metalsmithing in her dorm room at JMU to building a successful jewelry business. Recently named one of Forbes’ 30 Under 30, Emily brings valuable insights for aspiring entrepreneurs. RSVP now! The first 50 people will receive a free gift! For questions or information, please contact gcfe@jmu.edu. Free coffee and Dunkin' Munchkin donuts will be served, Friday, April 5 from 10-11:00 am in Hartman Hall, room 1040.

Attend the Annual LGBTQIA+ Student Conference: Lavender Student Conference happening April 6 in The Union. Our theme for this year is Visibility is Resiliency. Students, Faculty, AND Staff are invited to attend and hear speakers and panels discuss LGBTQ+ experience as it pertains to authenticity, visibility, and community. This one-day summit serves as an educational and a community building space to enhance knowledge and connection for LGBTQ+ students and allies at JMU. If you are interested in volunteering, please email sogie@jmu.edu. Registration and Information

Foreign Languages Spring Converence will be held at JMU on April 11 & 12. The theme this year is REFUGEES, DISPLACEMENT, FORCED MIGRATION: RESHAPING THE WORLD. More Information

Take a Researcher to Lunch! (Formally known as Take Your Professor to Lunch or Coffee program) This initiative supports graduate students seeking a research adviser and/or a research program to reach out to a professor and have lunch or coffee with them sponsored by STAIR. The Spring semester application deadline is June 15More Information

See JMU Master Events Calendar here.

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Funding, Scholarships and Fellowships

Apply for a Summer Research Opportunity at the Food and Drug Admnistration (FDA), Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER). The FDA encourages applications from American Indian and Alaska Native researchers (undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, or post-doctoral) from a federal or state recognized tribe or a descendant of an enrolled member, who will participate in practical scientific training experiences through temporary fellowship appointments. Appointments may range from three to twelve months. Applicants should demonstrate a commitment to improving public health and Native healthcare policy and research. Application Deadline is April 30, though mentors will start reviewing submitted applications before the deadline. More Information

Looking for a Graduate Assistantship or a Campus Job? Depending on your full-or part-time status and program of study, graduate students may be eligible to apply for graduate assistantships, student positions, and staff/wage positions. Search JMU Jobs

Scholarships can be found on The Graduate School website.

Enrich Your Life

JMU X-Labs Open Lab! The Lab is an innovative space that ignites creativity. JMU students, faculty and staff are all empowered to bring their ideas to life in this design-thinking studio. Our collaborative atmosphere also allows for consulting and prototyping assistance, making it the perfect breeding ground for entrepreneurial endeavors. We’re ready to give you the support you need to make your ideas a reality. Unleash your potential at The Lab!

Keep abreast of Research Development Opportunities by subscribing to the JMU Research Development notice board. A full description of the events can be found here

Places to study while Carrier Library is closed. While Carrier Library is closed for renovation and expansion, you still have four library locations to use, and dozens of buildings with study space all over campus! Check out this list of the top 15 places to study or work in JMU Libraries. There’s also a new JMU study spaces map that includes a wide range of buildings! Just select a pin to start reading about study spaces in each building.

Free access to New York Times and more. Did you know you have access to the New York Times and Wall Street Journal for free through JMU Libraries subscriptions? See our full list of news-related databases or learn more about Libraries services for grad students.

Join the Graduate Student Association (GSA). All JMU graduate students are considered members of the GSA. The GSA promotes interdisciplinary unity among JMU graduate students through social events, career-building workshops and professional
development grants. For questions email gsa@jmu.edu.

University Career Liaison. The University Career Center's Graduate School liaison Alyssa Hawley is a great resource to assist you with resume review and career preparation. Check out University Career Services for Graduate Students or contact Alyssa for more information.

Campus and Community Student Resources. Campus and community resources available to
support students’ basic needs can be found at the Student Support Hub, a website that will connect you
to food, financial assistance, housing and other resources. These resources will help you thrive at JMU.

Read the Chronical of Higher Education for Free! Looking for a source for higher education news, trends and job openings? You can read The Chronicle of Higher Education for free through JMU Libraries subscriptions! 

Military-Connected Students. JMU VALOR provides all military-connected students with
resources for success. More information

Need Food or Hygiene Items? Check out The Pantry in Taylor Down Under (The Union), room 112.
Shop in-person or place orders through The Pantry app, available in the Apple and Android stores. Use
the app to select the curbside pickup option or rapid pickup in The Pantry. The Pantry is open Mon 12-6
pm and Tues-Thurs 12-5 pm. Available to all students, no questions asked!

Mental Health Resources. The JMU Counseling Center is available to all students and they have
made available TimelyCare, 24/7 access to mental health professionals. More Information

Tips from The Graduate School

Study Space for Graduate Students Only. The Graduate Professional Development Center (AKA: Grad Lounge) is a dedicated study space for graduate students, located on the fourth floor of Holland Yates Hall. It is open 8 am - 5 pm. Need more time to study free of interruption? You can fill out an After-Hours form and submit it to The Graduate School for after-hours access. Find form here.

Dates and Deadlines. Keep up with important dates and deadlines by bookmarking the Academic Calendar.

The Student Handbook. The Office of Student Accountability and Restorative Practices (OSARP) has published an updated version of the 2023-2024 JMU Student Accountability Process and Standards of Conduct Handbook. The updates made were revisions to procedures to enhance clarity and update procedure regarding rationales in the Title IX Sexual Harassment and Sexual Misconduct processes. It is the responsibility of every student to know and follow the policies outlined in the JMU Student Handbook along with federal, state, and local laws. Student Handbook

Graduate Policies. You are responsible to read and follow the graduate policies set forth in the
Graduate Catalog. Important information regarding degree progress, including rules for successful
progression and continuous enrollment are also on the Graduate School website.

Approval of a Thesis or Dissertation Committee. Students who are completing these sorts
of projects must submit a signed approval form to The Graduate School by the second week of the
semester in which the student first registers for thesis or dissertation credits. Approval form

Monitor Your Dukes Email Account! Official information is sent to each student’s official
Dukes e-mail account. Check your @dukes.jmu.edu e-mail account on a regular basis.

Monitor MyMadison! The Student Center in MyMadison is where you will find advising
information, register for classes, and where you can view “To Do Items” that will keep you on track
towards graduation. Use the Student Center to update your mailing address and cell phone number. It is
your responsibility to maintain accurate contact information. Check your account regularly. Don’t miss
important information!


Questions?

Please contact the appropriate staff member with your question.

Have Suggestions?

We welcome suggestions for this newsletter, including events and opportunities. Please send your
submission to grad@jmu.edu

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