Partnership Cites JMU for Supporting Students' Higher Education Goals

HARRISONBURG - James Madison University is the recipient of a Helping Hand Award from the Partnership for the Future, an organization that provides scholarly activities, internships and support for Richmond students in preparation for higher education. 

The award recognizes "individuals or organizations that go above and beyond the call of duty in support of Partnership for the Future students and/or the organization as a whole." JMU affiliated with the partnership in 2005 to join the organization in supporting Richmond area high-school students in enrolling and graduating from institutions of higher learning. As part of the partnership, JMU students are placed as interns to work in the Richmond area as role models to current PFF students each summer. 

"Partnership for the Future has many partner institutions and for JMU to be recognized by the Helping Hand Award is a testament to the work of the university and especially Monyette Martin, JMU's Richmond-based undergraduate admission assistant director," said Arthur T. Dean II, special assistant to the president for diversity. "Monyette has led the charge to provide PFF participants access to JMU summer programs and awareness of JMU scholarships and opportunities. She has also encouraged PFF's participation in various Office of Admission recruitment programs. 

"The Helping Hand Award belongs to the university and represents the efforts of JMU faculty, staff and students reaching out to high-school students within Richmond and throughout the commonwealth." 

Presented Aug. 8 in Richmond, the award was accepted on behalf of JMU by Martin and James Robinson, director of the university's Office of Equal Opportunity.