Faculty and Staff Clubs are open to all JMU employees. They are designed to encourage engagement and community among faculty & staff.
If you are interested in participating in any of these clubs, contact the person listed below.
If you would like to start a new faculty/staff club, or if you would like to promote your existing group on our page, please email Tara Torkelson – torkeltb@jmu.edu
Adult Fans of Lego (AFOL)
If you are a Master Builder, or if you have never picked up a piece, this is the group for you. We will have different building challenges, you can bring in your MOC’s (My Own Creations), or your favorite sets to show off. This group will meet periodically to get together and show off our lego skills.
Contact: Veronica Schweitzer, erbvs@jmu.edu
Badminton
Did you enjoy playing badminton on the beach as a kid? Do you love playing Pickleball or other racket sports? If so, you may also enjoy playing indoor badminton which is played on the same court using the same net as Pickleball. Whether you’re a beginner or an expert badminton player, this is the group for you.
Contact: Afzal Upal, upalma@jmu.edu | Adriana Banu, banula@jmu.edu | Sam Suggs, suggsss@jmu.edu
Charlottesville/Crozet Area Faculty & Staff
We welcome JMU staff and faculty living in the Charlottesville/Crozet area to become acquaintances and share JMU with their home communities. Along with meeting new neighbors and friends, the group will discuss and share service projects, carpooling, and other activities.
Contact: Sara Krivacek, krivacsj@jmu.edu
Dukes 4 Trees
Dukes 4 Trees is a group for fellow tree lovers, walkers, and nature enthusiasts. We will do tree focused walks covering different parts of campus once or twice a month, depending on the season. You may learn a new tree fact, identify a bird (or two) that call campus trees their home, meet fellow Dukes who share these similar interests and get some exercise. We can’t wait to take a walk with you!
Contact: Ali Sloop, witmanad@jmu.edu | Katie Rankin, rankinkt@jmu.edu
Foodies Read
Join us for a monthly book club where all selections will have a food-related element. From mouthwatering memoirs to tantalizing culinary mysteries, our book club promises a literary journey that tickles your taste buds.
Contact: Ashlyn Holz, holzal@jmu.edu | Leigh Ann Bowles, bowlesla@jmu.edu
JMU Green Thumb Society
This club will allow members to connect and enjoy fellowship across campus. The group will primarily function online, through Teams, in order to offer support/advice to one another, plan & participate in fun plant swaps/events throughout the year, and meet JMU community members who share your love of all things growing.
Contact: Barbara Shifflett, shifflbm@jmu.edu
JMU Water Floaters
If you love kayaking, paddleboarding, floating, or just the idea of getting in the water, this is the group for you! From beginners to experts, the JMU Water Floaters will explore the water ways of the valley in tubes, kayaks, paddleboards, or anything that will keep you afloat for several hours.
Contact: Kayla Corey, coreymx@jmu.edu
Madison Trail Treks
One Saturday each month, the MAdison Trail Treks Club will rendezvous and carpool with a group of kindred outdoor spirits for a six to twelve-mile hike on some of the myriad mountain paths within the Shenandoah Valley's awesome National Park and George Washington National Forest trail networks. This group leans toward invigorating, moderately strenuous hikes to mountain overlooks and waterfalls. If you are looking for some kind, adventure-loving people to share your end-of-week hiking experiences with, this club may quite possibly be a perfect fit!
Contact: Nathan Lapp; lappnl@jmu.edu
Noon Ball
Meet up with faculty and staff to play basketball. The group meets at noon on Mondays, Wednesday, and Fridays at UREC.
Contact: Brandon Crenshaw, crenshgb@jmu.edu
Page & Shenandoah County Faculty & Staff
Connect with other JMU staff and faculty who live in your home county! We welcome JMU staff and faculty living in Page and Shenandoah Counties to become acquaintances and share JMU with their home communities. Along with meeting new neighbors and friends, the group will discuss and share service projects, carpooling, and other activities.
Contact: Margaret Sloan, sloanmf@jmu.edu
Pickleball
This group will meet most weekdays (12:00 - 1:00pm) at UREC to play.
Join the listserv: UREC-PB-L@LISTSERV.JMU.EDU
Tennis Group
The tennis group will meet up and play sets/matches on the JMU tennis courts. This is a great way to get practice playing with different people and to challenge and improve your individual skills. Ideally, the faculty and staff that participate in this affinity group will have experience and some level of skill with tennis, as well as a passion and love for the game.
Contact: Priscilla Jones, jones2ps@jmu.edu
UNWIND
UNWIND is a social group formed around knitting, crochet, and other crafts open to all members of the JMU community. We meet up to work on our projects, chat, laugh, and support each other. No matter your experience level or your craft, join us for friendly conversation and sharing.
UNWIND meets on most Thursdays from 5-7 p.m. either on-campus, or in Downtown Harrisonburg. There's no program, agenda, or set start time. Drop in, stitch, and socialize with your crafty colleagues. All are welcome to participate!
Contact: Tanya Laffler, laffleta@jmu.edu | Kim Moubray, dellinkl@jmu.edu
Walking Groups
We have a walking group that meets on Thursdays at 10:00 am (see contact info listed below). If you would like to organize another walking group on campus, please reach out to us.
10:00am | Katrina Spickler – spicklkm@jmu.edu
Working Parents
Contact: Kathleen Sensabaugh, sensabkb@jmu.edu
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