As we welcome new families, we want to take a moment to remind you that the Office of Family Engagement is here to support you throughout your student’s journey at James Madison University. Whether you’re navigating the excitement of their first year or preparing for graduation, we are committed to providing resources, communication, and opportunities to keep you informed and connected. This newsletter is just one example of that commitment, and it wouldn’t be possible without the support of these incredible contributors.
We hope you enjoy this edition of the Madison Family Newsletter and look forward to a fantastic summer!
Warm regards,
Tracey Kite, Director, Office of Family Engagement
In This Issue:
- A Letter from Dr. Miller
- New Students: One Book Steps & Summer Orientation
- First-Year Send Offs & Parents Council
- 2025-2026 Financial Aid Offers
- Save the Date for Family Weekend Sept 26-28, 2025
- Become a Duke Club Member Today for Early Access to Single Game Tickets
- Jumpstart your Duke's Adventure with MOAT
- Dukes Making A Difference (DMAD) & Madison Community Scholars
- Authorized User and Payment Plan
- The University Career Center is Open This Summer
- Families: Are Your Companies Hiring?
- Dukes Ride: The Smart Way to Get Around
- Student Travel Home: NY, NJ, CT & PA
- Last Chance to Get Your Bookmark
- June Events at the Arboretum
A Letter from Dr. Tim Miller
Hello JMU families,
Welcome to the newest members of the JMU family! Each month you will receive this newsletter with a letter from me that provides updates, reminders, some questions to ask your Duke, and some musings from me. We have adjusted this format over time based on feedback from you as well as members of the Parents Council. If you have any suggestions or topics that would be helpful, please let me know. In addition to this monthly letter, we will forward any messages we send to your Duke along to you, so you are aware of what we are sharing with them. This is part of how we engage and partner with you as part of your Duke’s journey at JMU.
For all our returning families, I hope the summer has started off well and that you’re getting to spend some quality time with your Duke if they are home with you. I just returned from our annual trip to the Outer Banks with Jamie and Duke Dog and as always it was so great seeing JMU represented everywhere we went. If you aren’t already doing this, be sure to wear JMU gear when you’re traveling. You’ll be amazed at some of the places you get a “Go Dukes!” from other travelers. For example, Sunday night my brother Chris (a teacher at South County Middle School in Fairfax County) and I went to Wolf Trap to see Heart and over the course of the night we ran into over a half dozen Dukes at the show!
Updates
Campus is much quieter than usual right now, so this is the time we’re able to work on construction projects and maintenance that is more difficult during the school year. The new residence hall, Potomac Hall, is nearing completion and we’re excited to welcome the first residents there in August! Construction on Carrier Library and Spotswood Hall have made great progress already this summer too.
We’re all preparing to welcome our newest Dukes to campus for orientation starting later this month. For the families of our amazing students who help with orientation and other areas on campus, thank you for sharing your Duke with us. These student leaders make a huge difference in the lives of our community. To all our incoming families, we’re looking forward to meeting you soon! Be sure your student completes the steps in their New Student Checklist so you and your Duke have everything ready for the start of the fall semester. If they haven’t already, encourage your student to check out the Pre-Weeks of Welcome Experiences for some great opportunities to connect with other new students before classes start.
Reminders
Our offices are open during the summer, so please reach out to the appropriate areas if needed. The JMU website, specifically the Parent & Family Resources and the Student Gateway pages, are also great options that are available all the time.
Questions to ask your student
I was asked by Parents Council members a couple of years ago to include some conversation starters in this letter each month, so I hope you find them helpful. As part of learning how to navigate life, it’s valuable for your Duke to hear your voice and advice, and while you may not always believe it, they do listen to you.
How are you enjoying your summer?
Tip: This sounds so simple, but it’s good to step back and chat about life in general. They may be happy for a break from classes, enjoying their summer job (or not), and maybe missing JMU. Focusing on them as a person shows that you care about more than planning their future and gives you both a chance to enjoy life where you are right now. This can also transition into a conversation about what they (and you) could do to help them enjoy their summer more fully and make some plans.
How are you feeling about your academic progress this past year and what do you want to adjust or change for next year?
Tip: This may change over time, so it’s good to review expectations before each semester. Be sure to plan a time for them to show you their academic progress in Canvas each month. This will give you insight into how classes are going, so you can recommend resources if needed and there are no surprises at the end of the semester.
For new Dukes, there is real value in establishing clear expectations about grades and communications before they leave for JMU in the fall. This helps your Duke know your hopes for them and also creates the space for open conversations about this important part of their JMU experience.
Enjoy this time!
You don’t need me to remind you that time passes quickly, so I hope you’re able to spend some quality time with your Duke this summer. If they stayed here in Harrisonburg, come visit – we'd love you see you on campus! For our new families, we’ll see you soon at orientation and enjoy the beginning of this next incredible chapter.
Take care and Go Dukes!
Dr. Tim Miller
Vice President for Student Affairs
Submitted by: TJ Stafford, Associate Director, Orientation & Transition
For our new Madison families: Encourage your student to keep working through their New Student Checklist steps. Some of these steps that assist your student in transitioning to JMU have deadlines that affect their ability to make an Orientation reservation and enroll in classes. We also recommend continuing to review The One Book digital publication, as it is full of information and resources that will assist you and your student through August. Both you and your student should be receiving monthly emails from the Office of Orientation and Transition directly with information, upcoming deadlines and tips to be the most prepared for Orientation. Please have your student reach out with any questions along the way. We are here to best support them during this exciting time! We look forward to seeing you and your student at Orientation soon!
Submitted by: The Office of Family Engagement
Each summer, the JMU Parents Council and the Office of Family Engagement team up to host First-Year Send Offs. These events provide a great opportunity for new members of the JMU family to meet fellow Dukes in their regional area and ask any last-minute questions prior to move-in. Each event is approximately 2 hours consisting of a meal, a program, Q&A opportunities and a bag full of JMU goodies.
The JMU student may attend at no charge. Guests are $15/person regardless of age.
Registration is now open!
If you are a parent or guardian of a first-year or transfer student entering JMU in Fall 2025, apply online to join the Parents Council. Applications are due August 10, 2025.
2025-2026 Financial Aid Offers
Submitted by: John Michael Schott, Assistant Director for Grants, Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships
Your student's JMU official financial aid offer will be available towards the end of June. In order to receive federal aid, make sure your student has filled out a 2025-2026 FAFSA. When offers are created, an email will be sent to your student's JMU Dukes email account letting them know their financial aid is available to view. Your student will be able to review their financial aid offer in MyMadison and accept their aid at that time. If they do not receive an offer, they need to check their To Do list in MyMadison for any missing documents we require. Our summer office hours are Monday - Thursday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. and Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. We are available all summer to help you and your student navigate financial aid at JMU.
For more information about JMU’s Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships, including helpful links and videos, visit the website.
Submitted by: The Office of Family Engagement
Join us for Family Weekend September 26-28, 2025! Keep checking the website for schedule updates.
Family Weekend tickets will be available beginning at 9:00 a.m. on July 7!
Become a Duke Club Member Today for Early Access to Single Game Tickets
Submitted by: Melissa Wyant, Assistant A.D. for Creative Services & Fan Engagement, Athletics
Join the JMU Duke Club today to secure yourself early access to JMU Football single game tickets, including Family Weekend! JMU Duke Club Members who make a minimum donation of $75 to the Proud and True fund by June 29 will gain the benefit of purchasing single game tickets starting on June 30, a week before public on-sale begins on July 7.
Questions? Reach out to the JMU Athletic Ticket Office at 540-568-3853 or the JMU Duke Club at 540-568-6461.
Submitted by: Anaelle Wagoner, Assistant Director for Communications & Engagement, University Recreation (UREC)
Madison Orientation Adventure Trips bring New Dukes together to:
• Camp, Hike, and explore the Shenandoah Valley
• Experience the JMU TEAM High Ropes Course
• Learn about the Outdoor Adventure opportunities around Harrisonburg
• Connect new students to start your college experience off on the right foot
MOAT is a three-night, four-day adventure program designed for new JMU students before school starts. Students will meet up with welcoming and knowledgeable student trip leaders to tent camp, rock climb, hike, and canoe in the Shenandoah Valley. No experience is necessary!
Submitted by: Lindsey Richards, Assistant Director, Engagement, Communication & Innovation, Community Engagement & Volunteer Center (CEVC)
Register for DMAD 2025 Today!
Dukes Making a Difference (DMAD) brings New Dukes together before Weeks of Welcome. DMAD provides an incredible opportunity for your student to connect with service-minded peers. Through meaningful service, exploration of Harrisonburg, and interactions with local leaders, DMAD helps students build lasting connections, develop a sense of belonging, and establish a strong foundation for their college career.
In fact, 2024 DMAD students reported having a greater sense of belonging to JMU after the experience. They also had a higher GPA and greater retention rate than their peers after the fall semester.
We are excited to welcome your Duke to JMU and the Friendly City!
August 13-15, 2025, $125 (includes housing, meals, and transportation), Need-based financial assistance is available!
Registration: May 1 – July 24, 2025
Apply to be a Madison Community Scholar!
Is your student passionate about gaining valuable work experience through sustained community engagement? Encourage them to join our team as a Madison Community Scholar! This is a fantastic opportunity for your student to enhance their skills, gain meaningful work experience, and make a positive impact in the local community.
Participating students must either receive a Federal Work Study award as part of their financial aid package or be a recipient of one of the three scholarships listed on our website.
Applications can be found on PageUp. Applications are reviewed by June 15.
If you have questions, contact us at cevc@jmu.edu or 540.568.6366.
Submitted by: Brandon Cline-Taskey, Director, University Business Office
Fall statements will be available in mid-July. Students and their Authorized Users will receive an email notification when the statement is created. If you are not already an Authorized User, have your student set you up to ensure that you have access to the statement at that time.
If you would like to pay the semester expenses monthly, you can enroll in the monthly payment option offered through OnPlanU. The payment plan is available for a $30 enrollment fee each semester. Enrollment in the payment plan opens on June 1 and enrollment options are available through the semester due date.
This payment option allows the payment of tuition, meals, and on-campus room charges in monthly installments. Payments are processed automatically on the fifth of each month. For help in determining a budget check out the cost examples page or contact the University Business Office at (540) 568-6505. For more information visit the UBO Payment Plan page.
Submitted by: Libby Westley, Director, University Career Center
The University Career Center is open for the summer. Encourage your student to schedule a virtual or in-person appointment through their jmu.joinhandshake.com account to define their career goals, update or create a resume, search for jobs and internships, or just learn more about how the UCC can help them.
Submitted by: Libby Westley, Director, University Career Center
Our students and new graduates are looking for internships and full-time opportunities. If you or your organization are hiring, email handshake@jmu.edu or call 540-568-6555 and ask to speak with a member of our Employer Relations team. The JMU family and alumni network is one of the best around and vital to the success of our graduates!
Submitted by: Valerie Kramer, Alternative Transportation Manager, Parking and Transit Services
At JMU, getting around is easy, sustainable, and student-friendly—thanks to the free Harrisonburg Department of Public Transportation (HDPT) bus system. Whether your Duke lives on or off campus, the bus is the first choice for getting to class, running errands, or exploring Harrisonburg.
For students living off campus, there’s no need to purchase a parking pass. The bus system serves all major off-campus housing complexes, with frequent routes that connect directly to campus. It’s reliable, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly—making it the preferred way to commute. See our website for more information.
Students living on campus can also take advantage of the Shopper route, which provides access to essential off-campus amenities like grocery stores and shopping centers. There’s even a dedicated route that runs directly from campus to Sentara RMH Medical Center, making it easy to get to medical appointments.
Planning a trip is simple. Google Maps and Apple Maps both support JMU’s transit system—just enter your destination and tap the bus icon to help plan your trip.
To learn more about routes, schedules, and how to ride, visit our website and select Dukes Ride.
Encourage your Duke to ride smart, ride free, and ride like a Duke!
Student Travel Home: NY, NJ, CT & PA
Submitted by: Jason Sfaelos, CollegeTransit LTD
Welcome to the JMU Family! For those of you from the NY, NJ, CT and PA areas be aware that a dedicated bus service exists for JMU breaks between the JMU campus and specific out of state drop-off locations. Typical locations include Allentown, Morris Plains, Tarrytown, Melville and an expansion route for King of Prussia and Howell Township. Those trip options will be posted on July 1st.
CollegeTransit has been providing holiday transportation for college students for over 30 years. Trip details will be available on CollegeTransit.com where you can also find more specific address information. Should you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out.
Submitted by: Liz Fravel, Senior Associate Director, Office of Annual Giving
Carry Carrier with you! Donate $86 or more and you'll receive a commemorative metal bookmark depicting Carrier Library's historic entrance (shipped by early July). Your $86 marks 86 years since the building opened on the Quad (1939-2025).
Submitted by: Ivy Makia, PR/Marketing Specialist, Edith J. Carrier Arboretum
Summer is just around the corner and the Arboretum has a month jammed packed with events! From terrarium workshops and sound bathing, to free programs that explore the fascinating world of bats, bonsai plants, and night bugs.
Want to keep up with the Arboretum? Follow us on social media or sign up for our email list.
Is your student looking for ways to get involved? Encourage them to volunteer or inquire about an internship at the Arboretum! For more information email ejcarboretum@jmu.edu.
Join 13,000+ fellow JMU parents and guardians in the official Facebook group! This group was created by the Office of Family Engagement in an effort to provide a safe online environment for parents & family members to engage with one another. Request to join the group here »
Connect with the JMU Family!
