Madison Family Newsletter: September 2025
Brought to you by the JMU Office of Family Engagement
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Madison Family Newsletter: September 2025
James Madison University
The Madison Family Newsletter is created each month by the Office of Family Engagement in partnership with many members of the JMU community. For more family resources, visit our website.
In This Issue:
- A Letter from Dr. Miller
- Get to Know President Jim
- Financial Aid Disbursements and Starting Classes
- Concerned for a JMU Student? Refer them to Madison Cares!
- Know About Your Student's Privacy
- University Career Fair
- Career Closet: Autumn Attire Harvest
- JMU Dining: Family Weekend
- Friday Night Flights
- Study Abroad Family Weekend Brunch
- Family Weekend: Hanson Field Events
- Fun Things to Do in JMU Libraries During Family Weekend
- Planning Ahead for Family Weekend, Fall Break & Thanksgiving Travel
- Student Travel Home Update: NY, NJ, CT & PA
- Promoting Well-Being by Volunteering with CEVC
- Flu Shot Walk-In Clinic
- Get Yours! JMU’s 2026 Capture Campus Wall Calendar
- It Runs in the Family!
- Join Us at the Arboretum for the Fall 2025 Plant and Bulb Sale
- Carrier Library Reopening in One Year
A Letter from Dr. Tim Miller
Hello JMU families,
We’ve had a great start to the new school year. The weather has been the real star of the show so far and fall is definitely here!!! I have already seen plenty of hoodies all across campus in the mornings and I hope this means the leaves will start to change soon because there is nothing prettier on this planet than this campus in fall.
Updates
As a health promoting campus, the Student Affairs strategic plan is centered around the six dimensions of well-being – Learning, Relationships, Purpose, Health, Security and Environment. This month is a perfect time to introduce Learning, so here are some resources to help your student succeed academically:
In addition, students shouldn’t miss out on the value of attending office hours, introducing themselves to their faculty before or after class, and creating a study group with other students in their classes. These are some of the best ways to more fully engage in their education and create a foundation for success.
Another dimension is Security and it is always important so we have teams dedicated to serving our students in many ways:
- Madison Cares - Anyone (including a family member) who is concerned about the well-being of a student can submit a referral and a member of the Dean of Students' office will reach out and address those concerns. This doesn’t have to be just for your Duke!
- Victim Advocacy - If a student has experienced sexual harm, help is available 24/7 through our Victim Advocacy Services’ partnership with the Collins Center.
- TimelyCare - Student have access to free virtual mental health services 24/7/365, even when they are away from campus.
- Student Support Hub - Resources are available for food, financial emergencies, housing and other assistance.
- University Career Center - These services and events benefit students now and in the future.
- JMU Shield – Students are encouraged to have this official safety app to keep up to date in case of an emergency.
Reminders
We’ve only had a few weeks of class right now, but by the end of the month you’ll want to have a call with your student to discuss their grades, progress and attendance. Don’t panic if they got off to a rocky start, by checking in now you can help them strategize ways to turn things around.
If your student is still finding their place or wanting to meet new people, one easy way may be if they’re eating alone in one of the dining halls and they see someone looking for a table, invite that person to join them. Then put their phone down and start a conversation with “How’s it going?” and see how it goes from there. Every day I see students at tables alone with their headphones on looking at a screen; encourage them to be open, look up, and make a new friend.
Events
Here are a variety of events for students to check out:
UREC events (hint: not all require athletic skills) - Cooking, swimming, intramurals, classes
Student Leadership and Involvement - Crafternoon, Movies, Tea Time and much more
Counseling Center workshops - Anxiety toolbox, Living with ADHD, Mindful Doodling, Social Media
Forbes Center for the Performing Arts - Romeo and Juliet, Danceworks, the JMU Brass Band, etc.
JMU Sports - Soccer, Volleyball, Field Hockey, Golf, Tennis, Cross Country, are all in season now!
Many, many more are on Be Involved and the JMU events calendar.
Questions to ask your student
What kind of system are you using to stay organized?
Tip: The most important thing it to have a system before things get busier. A calendar app with Canvas due dates on it can be great or a paper calendar might be the way. Help them to find a system that works for them!
What have you been doing for fun and meet people?
Tip: It’s normal to want your student to do well academically, but it’s good to show them that you care about the other parts of their life also. If they tell you they haven’t met many people yet, ask them how they are trying to connect and make friends.
Do you know where to go if you need help with anything?
Tip: The Student Gateway has links to just about everything they may need. In addition, their OPAs, FrOGS, and RAs are always around if they need them.
Being the Change
Our Engagement Fellow Kathryn Hunt and I joined Andy Perrine on JMU’s Being the Change podcast recently to discuss how students can get the most out of their JMU experience. Part One is available now, with a second part to follow. If you’re not already listening to this podcast, I encourage you to check it out. There is a great interview with President Jim that you’ll definitely want to hear to get to know more about our new president.
Thanks for all your support during move-in and opening. I hope to see many of you during Family Weekend or other times throughout the year!
Take care, and Happy Fall to all of you!
Dr. Tim Miller
Vice President for Student Affairs
Submitted by: Pam Brock, Senior Director, Advancement Marketing
Please join JMU’s new president, James C. Schmidt — soon to be better known as “President Jim” — on his Presidential Tour as he begins his leadership journey and shapes JMU’s next chapter for current and future students. With an entrepreneurial outlook and a vision for the university’s future, he is engaging with alumni and parents to share perspectives and dream together. Register for any and all the tour stops here.
Financial Aid Disbursements and Starting Classes
Submitted by: Brad Barnett, Associate Vice President/Financial Aid Director, Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships
Fall Financial Aid Disbursements:
Financial aid disbursements generally occur during the first week of each semester if all paperwork has been submitted in a timely fashion and the student is registered for the amount of hours used to determine financial aid eligibility. If you want to learn more about the disbursement process, timeframe, and financial aid refunds, you can read Section 13: Financial Aid, Disbursements, Your Bill, and Refunds of the Financial Aid: Terms and Conditions – Consumer Information document on our website.
Beginning Enrollment:
It’s important to note that students must begin attendance in the classes for which they receive financial aid. Reading the “Beginning Enrollment” portion of Section 1: How Financial Aid is Awarded at JMU and General Eligibility Requirements of the Financial Aid: Terms and Conditions – Consumer Information document on our website will explain what constitutes “attendance” for the purposes of meeting this eligibility criterion. Students who do not begin attendance in classes for which financial aid is awarded may be subject to a reduction or cancellation of their financial aid package.
Submitted by: Dom Rodriguez, Assistant Dean of Students, Dean of Students
The Dean of Students office invites family members to submit a Madison Cares Referral for students they are concerned about. Whether they are having trouble with the transition to college, are experiencing difficulties with their health, or navigating a family emergency, we are here to help. Our team will respond and address any concerns by providing outreach, university resources, and direct support to the student. Contact us at madisoncares@jmu.edu if you have any questions.
Know About Your Student's Privacy
Submitted by: The Office of Family Engagement
Without the student’s consent, parents/guardians will not automatically have access to grades or enrollment information or be able to consult with medical providers for information or have input into their treatment.
Two federal laws govern the privacy of a student’s records when they are over 18 and/or enroll in college. Learn more about FERPA (Federal Education Rights and Privacy Act) and Student Privacy Information below.
Submitted by: Carlos Yanez, Communications Coordinator, University Career Center
This career fair is open to all JMU students across all majors and class years, as over 100 employers from multiple industries are coming to campus to recruit JMU talent from all academic programs for jobs and internships.
We encourage students to attend the fair for at least 30 minutes and speak to at least five organizations so they can gain confidence networking with employers.
Career Fair
Tuesday, Sept. 16 & Wednesday, Sept. 17 from 1 to 5 p.m.
Atlantic Union Bank Center (AUBC)
Students can prepare by:
Scheduling an appointment on Handshake with the University Career Center (UCC) to have their resume reviewed and come up with talking points for interacting with recruiters
Attending UCC prep events, like:
Networking for Introverts: Career Fair Edition (Virtual)
Wednesday, Sept. 10 | 7–8 p.m.
This virtual workshop offers practical tips for approaching recruiters, starting conversations, and making a strong impression, designed to help introverted students feel more confident navigating the fair.
Clothes, Cookies, & Resumes
Thursday, Sept. 11 | 1-4 p.m. | SSC 3250
Friday, Sept. 12 | 1-4 p.m. | SSC 3250
Get a free headshot; have their resume reviewed; browse our Career Closet of FREE professional clothing, shoes, and accessories; and enjoy light snacks.
Submitted by: Alyssa Hawley, Career Advisor, University Career Center
Will you be at JMU for Family Weekend 9/26-28 or Homecoming Weekend 10/17-19? Help your fellow Dukes by cleaning out your closet and donating your unwanted business or business casual attire to the Career Closet. Students can shop the closet for free to gear up for interviews, internships, jobs, presentations, events, etc. Your donations keep the closet running! Drop off locations include Hotel Madison (front desk), Harrison Hall, Hartman Hall, and Leeolou Alumni Center. Just look for a brown wardrobe box with the Autumn Attire Harvest sign on it!
Submitted by: Heather Holsinger, Marketing Manager, JMU Dining
JMU Dining is looking forward to welcoming everyone for Family Weekend fun!
Join us on Saturday, September 27, 10am to 8pm at D-Hall for Fan Favorites! Reservations are not required. $16.50 +tax at the door for all-you-care-to-eat. Students with meal plans enter with a punch. Guest meals are not available for use on Family Weekend.
Saturday night is our special Fantastic Feast at E-Hall! (no walk ins allowed). Please print tickets for entry. Cost: $29 (+ticketing fee, tax included), children (6-12 years) $18.50 (+ticketing fee, tax included), 5 and under free, JMU students free with meal plan and must have their JACard at the event to deduct 1 punch. Two seatings are available: Early seating 4:30-6:00 pm or Late seating from 6:15-8:00 pm
Menu includes:
• Steamed Crab Legs
• Gourmet Shrimp Cocktail
• Grilled Pear and Quinoa Salad
• Vegan Butternut Squash Bisque
• Smoked Beef Brisket
• Roasted Salmon
• Artisan Charcuterie
• Made to Order Pasta Bar
• Specialty Char-Grilled Burger
• Chimichurri Chicken
• Tofu Tikka Masala (vegan)
• Seasonal Fruit and Dessert
Submitted by: Grace Sheldon, Director of Internal Operations and Events, Duke Club
Join JMU Nation for the 10th annual Friday Night Flights under the lights at Bridgeforth Stadium on Friday, September 26 from 6:00-9:00 p.m. This premier Duke Club fall season event will include beer and wine tasting from local breweries and wineries across the valley.
Advanced registration is required. Additional drink tickets are available for purchase at the event.
All event proceeds will go to the Proud & True Fund (PATF) to benefit student-athlete scholarships and the JMU Athletics general operating budget. Your support significantly impacts JMU athletics 18 varsity sports and more than 500 JMU student-athletes.
Submitted by: Matthew Zittritsch, Assistant Director of Engagement and Outreach, Study Abroad, Center for Global Education
Join us for brunch and explore the 100+ global opportunities available to your student!
Study Abroad Family Weekend Brunch
Sunday, September 28, 9 - 11 a.m.
Festival Ballroom
Don't miss your chance to enjoy a mini quiche from the buffet, snap photos with Duke Dog, and take home exclusive JMU Study Abroad swag! Staff and students will be available to answer questions and share their own experiences abroad.
Applications for programs running in 2026 and Spring 2027 are now open! Explore JMU's full program portfolio to see what's offered next year.
Encourage your Duke to also attend the Study Abroad Fair on Wednesday, September 24, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. & 2-4 p.m. in the Festival Ballroom.
Submitted by: Office of Family Engagement
Saturday, Sept. 28, 10 a.m.-noon, on Photobooth & Fun on Hanson Field: Visit the JMU Family Photobooth to take a fun photo with your JMU Family and pick up some free purple and gold beads and pom-poms! You can also get a one-of-a-kind Duke Dog Color-me pennant to show your Duke Pride! Enjoy Yard Games on Hanson Field: Bocce Ball, Kan Jam, Ladder Golf, Lawn Yahtzee, Life-Size Jenga & Cornhole! Glitter Bee will be providing facepainting too!
Submitted by: Emily Blake, Assistant Director of Communications & Marketing, Libraries
Did you know JMU has 4 library locations? If you're looking for a taste of campus during Family Weekend, check out our list of fun things to do in the libraries!
Submitted by: Valerie Kramer Alternative Transportation Manager Parking and Transit Services
We’re so happy to have your Duke with us this semester! Just a reminder that all local transit is fare-free through a JMU contract with the Harrisonburg Department of Public Transportation (HDPT)! Buses run all day from the off-campus apartments to points on campus. Dukes can check the Dukes Ride webpage to find a fare-free ride to class!
Come visit! HDPT buses run from local hotels through campus during Family Weekend and Football games. Relax and visit with your Duke without worrying about traffic.
We know you can't wait to have your Duke home! If you or your Duke haven’t yet purchased tickets home for Fall Break or Thanksgiving, now is the time. Seats are filling fast, and some carriers are already adding second and third buses to meet demand. Purchase tickets directly through vendors. The bus stop is behind the bookstore at Godwin Transit Center.
Here are some great travel options:
College Transit
Offers students a break-only service to the Northeast (MD, PA, NJ, NY) with direct routes from campus.
Virginia Breeze Bus Lines
Offers daily coach bus service from JMU to Dulles International Airport for global flights, or to Washington, D.C. for connections via Amtrak. It also travels south as far as Bristol, VA.
Adventures-N-Travel
Provides service to Charlottesville, Richmond, Baltimore-Washington International Airport, and Reagan National Airport.
Shenandoah Regional Airport
Offers daily direct flights to Charlotte, NC, with connections to destinations nationwide.
Planning ahead ensures your Duke has a smooth trip home—and back!
Student Travel Home Update: NY, NJ, CT & PA
Submitted by: Amy Sfaelos, College Transit
Quick updates to out-of-state families from the northeast:
- Fall Break: The 1st bus sold out and is 20 seats away from confirming a 2nd bus. This trip had 2 full buses last year.
- Thanksgiving to Allentown, Morris Plains, Tarrytown and Melville:
- Friday’s departure has seats remaining for registration.
- Saturday’s departure has sold out and is approx 25 seats away from confirming a 2nd bus.
- Last year had 8 full buses for this route (Friday/Saturday combined).
- Thanksgiving to King of Prussia and Howell Township: The 1st bus is sold out. A waiting list has started for a 2nd bus. This trip had 2 full buses last year.
- Winter Break: The first bus is now available for reservations on the northeast route.
CollegeTransit has been providing JMU students holiday transportation for over 30 years during Fall, Thanksgiving, Winter and Spring breaks. View the trip details 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: Lindsey Richards Barnes, Assistant Director, Engagement, Communication, & Innovation, CEVC
September is a season of fresh starts, and as your Duke settles into campus life, volunteering is a great way to support their well-being. Through the Community Engagement & Volunteer Center (CEVC), students can find opportunities that reduce stress, spark friendships, and provide a strong sense of purpose while making a positive impact.
CEVC offers a welcoming environment where students can learn, grow, and lead on campus and in the community. By encouraging your Duke to get involved, you’re supporting experiences that enrich both their college journey and the world around them.
For more details, visit jmu.edu/cevc, email cevc@jmu.edu, or call 540-568-6366.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Food Truck Fest
Students can enjoy live music, local food, and community fun while supporting Open Doors, the area’s only low-barrier shelter for unhoused individuals. CEVC covers transportation and entry; students should bring some cash if they’d like to buy food or items from vendors.
Saturday, Sept. 20, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Rockingham County Fairgrounds
Dayton Days Community Excursion
A CEVC trip to the historic town of Dayton for its annual fall festival featuring 200+ artisans, food trucks, entertainment, and historic tours. Transportation provided! Students should bring some cash if they’d like to buy food or items from vendors.
Saturday, Oct. 4, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Dayton
ALTERNATIVE BREAK PROGRAM
Fall Break
Students travel with a student-led group of Dukes to work alongside community leaders to address pressing social issues.
October 22-24, 2025, Cost: $100 (need-based financial assistance is available)
Registration Deadline: September 21 at 11:59 p.m.
The Barns at Blue Mountain: Support equine-assisted programs
Hungry Mother State Park: Explore conservation and outdoor education
LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
January Break January 10-17, 2026, apply by Sept. 21
Spring Break [link will be live Sept. 15] March 14-21, Deadlines: Flying apps due Oct. 5 & driving apps due Nov. 2
DUKES VOLUNTEER
Rockingham Harrisonburg SPCA (RHSPCA)
Volunteer weekly to help clean kennels, cuddle cats, and lend a hand around the shelter.
Sundays, Aug. 31 - Nov. 30, 8-10 a.m.
Jubilee Climate Farm
Support sustainable farming and refugee food access.
Mondays, Sept.1 - Nov. 27, 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Food Recovery Network
Recover surplus food from E-hall and deliver to local organizations.
Mondays, Sept. 1 - Dec. 1, 3:15-5 p.m.
Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community
Support enrichment activities with memory care residents.
Tuesdays, Sept. 2 – Dec. 2, 10-11 a.m.
Submitted by: Kim Maurer, RN, Patient Care Coordinator, University Health Center
Flu Shot Walk-In Clinic
October 1, 2025
9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
University Recreation Center (UREC)
For Students, Faculty & Staff with insurance only. Martin's Pharmacy will be available to administer flu-shots. Please remind your student to bring their insurance card and to complete this form.
University Health Center strongly encourages all students to get vaccinated against the flu to help stop the spread and keep our campus healthy.
Other days, walk-in flu shots are available in our pharmacy for $21 and students can also make an appointment online or call 540-568-6178 to make an appointment for a flu shot in the nurse clinic.
Submitted by: Liz Fravel, Senior Associate Director, Annual Giving
Make a gift of $26 or more and receive a calendar. What a great way for you or your Duke to feel connected to JMU! All photos were taken by students, alumni, faculty or a parent. The calendar would make a great gift (ships in time for the holidays).
Submitted by: Jess Nickels, Communications Lead, College of Business
On a quiet evening in Rose Library two students sit across from each other with their laptops open. One student manages to write six pages of a paper in an hour, while the other student carefully and deliberately reads only three pages of their assigned text. To the average passerby, this isn’t an unusual spectacle, but what makes the moment striking is that the faster writer is a College of Business undergraduate and the slower reader is his father.
“It runs in the family” isn’t just a fun JMU saying—it’s truly a lived adventure. A handful of families are experiencing a rare overlap: parent and child enrolled as students at the same time. For the Hughes and Fox families, the parallel journeys of pursuing an MBA and an undergraduate degree have brought moments of humor, pride and a deeper sense of connection.
Submitted by: John Wallace, Public Relations & Marketing Specialist, Edith J. Carrier Arboretum
The Edith J. Carrier Arboretum welcomes JMU families. Our Fall 2025 Plant and Bulb Sale kicks off on September 26. You can shop from a large variety of native perennials, shrubs, trees, and houseplants.
Prior to the Plant Sale and Family Weekend, we also invite you to tune in on September 17 at 7 p.m. for a special Plant Sale Preview Zoom presentation with Central Shenandoah Master Gardener Keala Timko. She will share helpful information on how to choose which plants are right for you, and how you can best care for them! Additionally, members will have early access to the Plant Sale, beginning with online shopping on September 18, and they will receive a 10% discount.
To learn more about Arboretum memberships, follow this link.
Submitted by: Emily Blake, Assistant Director of Communications & Marketing, Libraries
We are just one year away from welcoming the JMU community back to a refreshed and expanded Carrier Library, with the building on track to reopen in August 2026. The project has been progressing as planned, with structural work nearing completion and interior spaces taking shape. While the building’s exterior may appear nearly finished, significant work remains before the library can reopen. After major construction wraps up in December 2025, it will be time to finalize interiors, install furniture and technology, move collections, and set up staff offices and service desks. This is a significant, coordinated effort with many moving parts, designed to bring you a better library experience than ever before.
The Carrier renovation and expansion timeline reflects the scale and ambition of the project. We’re not just updating Carrier—we’re reimagining it. The project blends historic preservation with modern design, creating a vibrant space that will better serve students, faculty, and researchers for decades to come. The transformation of Carrier Library represents a once-in-a-generation investment in the future of academic life at JMU.
When Carrier reopens, it will feature expanded learning spaces, a cutting-edge media studio, and two new entrances that will create a more welcoming and accessible experience. A grand reading room will offer sweeping views, and light-filled interiors will support both quiet study and group work.
Dean of Libraries Bethany Nowviskie notes, “We’re incredibly excited about what’s ahead for JMU and its library system, and grateful for our community’s partnership throughout the renovation process. The new Carrier Library is going to be better than ever in bringing people together and doing what libraries do best: connecting historical knowledge with creative, future-oriented research and production. It’s a place where students, faculty and community members can discover the wisdom of the past — but also access the deep staff expertise, new technologies, and collaboration spaces that can help them create better tomorrows. We can’t wait to welcome everyone into the new space next fall.”
In the meantime, JMU Libraries continues to provide robust support for teaching, research, and learning. Students, faculty, and staff still have access to all the usual library services in four locations and online. Here’s what your student needs to know about how to use JMU Libraries this fall.
Want more Carrier updates? Follow us on social media or visit our Carrier Renovation & Expansion website for photos, videos, and more!
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 »
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