Local first-generation college students experience a “first,” earn diplomas

This year, 17 graduates from the Shenandoah Valley will be the first in their families to earn a college degree.

Valley Scholars: Longtime friends find success at rival schools

An eighth-grade friendship follows a path once considered impossible

Madison grad grateful for opportunities offered through Valley Scholars program

Ayam Ali (’23) reflects on her journey to JMU

Valley Scholars a welcome resource for parents, students

Proud families say Valley Scholars program gives students opportunities their parents didn’t have.

Members of first Valley Scholars cohort graduate from JMU

Nineteen members of the first class of Valley Scholars graduate this year

2023 AIM Grant Awardee Announced

TGS announces the awardee and honorable mention for the AIM Development Grant.

Lewis creates independent study opportunity through Professors in Residence program

“This is another opportunity for JMU students to do something beyond the classroom,” Health Sciences professor Kristi Lewis said. 

Parkinson’s patients seeing benefits from JMU dance program

A JMU program designed to help people with Parkinson’s Disease enjoy the benefits of movement has gained the attention of a Parkinson’s advocacy organization.

Disability Advocacy Week elevates disabled writers and disabled voices

The Office of Disability Services hosted a speaker event for Disability Advocacy Week.

Learning by doing in the Dominican Republic

More than a dozen first-generation and otherwise underrepresented students were given a unique opportunity to study abroad during spring break.

Protecting the worker

Alumna offers legal aid for low-wage earners to help them fight for their rights in the workplace.

Two Arts and Letters faculty awarded Fulbright Scholarships

Arts and Letters Faculty, Daniel Beers (justice studies) and Ken Rutherford (political science), were awarded Fulbright Scholarships to conduct research abroad in 2023-24.

Health Sciences students and faculty educate about health disparities

At the 2023 JMU Diversity Conference, Health Sciences faculty and students presented on the disparities in healthcare and how book club sessions can educate people on the topic.

JMU nursing looks to increase diversity with new admissions approach

The decision to pursue holistic admissions reflects the School of Nursing’s commitment to inclusive excellence.

JMU hosts madiSTEM conference

JMU hosts conference to raise awareness about professional opportunities in STEM fields.

Furious Flower Assistant Director L. Renée collaborates with Celebrating Simms

Furious Flower Assistant Director L. Renée visited two Harrisonburg high schools in collaboration with Celebrating Simms and Rockingham County Schools.

Celebrating Disability Advocacy Week (DAW)

Teaching Toolbox March 3rd, 2023

NASCAR's drive for change

Hart School alumnus talks DEI within a predominantly-white sport.

First-generation students get empowered

At JMU, first-generation students find seamless connections to what they need and have been welcomed since the doors swung open in 1908.

The Landscapes of Black Poetry: A Furious Flower reading

Join us for The Landscapes of Black Poetry, a free poetry event on Saturday, April 1, from 5:30 – 7 p.m. at the Oak Spring Garden Foundation’s Rokeby Granary.

JMU racks up more records

For a second straight year, JMU has rewritten the record books for popularity among incoming students.

SADAH Director MiKyoung Lee exhibits artwork in China

MiKyoung Lee is not only the director of the School of Art, Design, and Art History at James Madison University but also a professional artist.

Black in America

“There's never been a golden age to be Black in America. Will you be a part in making that happen?”

Everybody sees diversity and inclusion as part of their job

President Alger has taken the charge of diversity and inclusion seriously at JMU.

The unexpected rewards of traveling

Kiera ('24) participated in a study abroad program in Ireland that reunited her with her Irish family! Such are the unexpected rewards of traveling!

"A Longstanding Tradition of Journalistic Commentary"

As JMU’s student newspaper, The Breeze, marks its 100th year, we also mark a 10th year for the scholarship founded in memory of Breeze Designer and Senior Editor/Columnist Whitten Maher.

Linda Villarosa is the 2023 Viewpoints on Health Speaker

Viewpoints on Health will be presented on March 23, 2023 at 6:30pm.

Reflecting on Black History Month

JMU celebrates Black History Month.

Madison Vision Series presents “Awadagin Pratt — Black in America”

Join us as the internationally renowned pianist chronicles his life, including graphic accounts of police stops for "Driving While Black."

JMU alumni recognized with Black Business Leaders Awards

Gilbert Bland (’77) and Angela D. Reddix (’90) were recognized as Virginia's most accomplished Black executives in honor of Black History Month.

CMSS encourages cultural conversation

CMSS welcomed human rights advocated, Eva Maria Lewis, to speak to students.

Both Sides of the River

Exhibition exploring connections of river ecologies, environmental repair, and justice opened on January 31 in JMU's Duke Hall Gallery of Fine Art.

JMU to offer free tax preparation and E-file services beginning in February

JMU will once again offer free tax return preparation services to members of the community.

Us in the US

International graduate students face unique challenges when attending graduate school in the US at a predominately white university. Learn about recent research conducted to explore what students face and overcome.

Building lifelong global connections

Independent Scholar, Shukrana Shukrullah (’24), and classmates, Bella and Casey were selected to attend the 2023 international student conference in Indonesia hosted by Parahyangan Catholic University (UNPAR).

Social work turns 60: Some reflections

JMU’s Department of Social Work is celebrating its 60th anniversary. Over the years there have been many contributors and changes.

Educating to improve patient outcomes

CHBS has a long-standing commitment to using interprofessional and interdisciplinary educational methods to prepare our students to collaborate with colleagues from other disciplines and professions

Students learn how parks can address social equity

Park planning professionals are "Being the Change."

EmpowHER program encourages women’s strength training    

The Morrison Bruce Center program opens an avenue for women to feel at home in a weight room.

JMU professors propose new program for students on the autism spectrum

Program will support students inside and outside the classroom

Back in the civilian ranks and looking to lead

Outreach program teaches veterans how to apply lessons learned on-duty

BSA gets down for Homecoming

Learn more about JMU's Black Student Alliance and what they offer.

Pakistani female students pursue competitive summer research opportunity at JMU

The Sister2Sister program provides research and networking opportunities for women in Pakistan.

DIGITAL inspires high school students to explore technology

JMU Computer Science students and faculty, inspire high school girls from the local community to learn about technology.

50 years of Title IX

JMU Nation celebrates the anniversary of landmark legislation.

JMU officially opens center to support first-generation college students

James Madison University has taken the next step to open its Center for First-Generation Students.

Furious Flower Poetry Center Brings International Award-Winning Poet, Malika Booker to Harrisonburg

British-Caribbean poet, Malika Booker, visited Harrisonburg and James Madison University at the end of September as part of the Furious Flower Poetry Center’s Reading Series.

A conversation with My Monticello author Jocelyn Nicole Johnson (’93)

Since it was published in October 2021, Johnson's book has received rave reviews and numerous accolades.

When people care, that is when waves are made

JMU Student, Casey Brewer, is the winner of the Henry Fong Award 2022. She participated in the INU Student Seminar for Global Citizenship and Peace at Hiroshima

Celebrating Women in Entrepreneurship Week

Local women business-owners convene at Festival for Women in Entrepreneurship Week.

Students from the University of Liberia Visit Furious Flower Poetry Center

Interdisciplinary students from the University of Liberia and the University of Virginia visited Furious Flower Poetry Center and James Madison University last month as part of a cultural landscape studies initiative.

Proof of concept

The first 26 Valley Scholars near college graduation, supported by 1,435 donors who have given $5 million to scholarships and programing

Roni Jennings (’84) Inspired to Give Back

"As a teacher, as a mom, as a JMU grad, it’s like: yes, I need to do this.”

Barbara Bouldin (’87) Empowered By Her Place in the Amethyst Circle

“Every time I leave JMU, my cup is full. Every single time. My giving is simply an overflow of that feeling of gratitude.”

365 days already!

It has been 365 days since graduate student Mohamed Serry came to JMU for his graduate education. Read his reflections.

New program to lower barriers, increase graduation rates at local schools

James Madison University will receive $1.3 million over the next 5 years to partner with local school divisions to help disadvantaged students earn their high school diploma and pursue their postsecondary education.

B-cubed sends its second wave

Participation forms for upcoming January cohort now being accepted.

CHBS student creates Health in Color to discuss health disparities 

Founded in July by JaNiece Woodson, Health in Color is a new student organization that focuses on the effects that health disparities have on people of color.

Furious Flower Assistant Director, L. Renée Wins 2022 Rattle Poetry Prize

Furious Flower Assistant Director, L. Renée wins 2022 Rattle Poetry Prize for her poem, "Shoes"

Furious Flower Welcomes New Carmen R. Gillespie Fellow

Furious Flower Poetry Center welcomes our new Carmen R. Gillespie Fellow, Lily Craig. Craig is the second undergraduate whose independent work and research has been funded by Furious Flower through the fellowship.

CSD student selected for ASHA Minority Student Leadership Program

Josephine Miller, a graduate student in the Online M.S. SLP program was accepted into 2022 cohort of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Minority Student Leadership Program (MSLP).

New Madison magazine issue revealed at award-winning event

The official publication of JMU, Madison magazine, is now ready for you to enjoy!

Resistance and resilience

JMU historian Meg Mulrooney recovers the life and legacy of Yuri Nemoto (’46), Madison’s first Asian American student.

Nekisha Durrett: True Grit

Inverting the association of true grit with the macho swagger associated with the Western film of the same title, Durrett instead venerates the strength of family matriarchs who heal, bless and build lives.

Incoming students kick off their JMU experience with volunteer work

One hundred incoming first-year and transfer students will be coming to campus early this year to volunteer with non-profits in Harrisonburg through JMU’s Dukes Making a Difference program. 

Connections STEM from community

Residential learning program supports first-year STEM majors.

Furious Flower Poetry Center and JMU Libraries release “Flowerings: A Framework for Mutual Growth”

The Furious Flower Poetry Center and James Madison University Libraries are pleased to announce the publication of “Flowerings: A Framework for Mutual Growth.”

Disability Pride

A Q&A with Dr. Susan Ghiaciuc, Disability Studies Co-Coordinator

Center for Inclusive Computing grant supports diversity initiatives in computing majors

Grant to support the graduation of more women and minorities in computing majors awarded to the Computer Science Department (CS) and Computer Information Systems (CIS)

Furious Flower Poetry Center Receives 2022 Poetry Fund Grant

Furious Flower Poetry Center has received the 2022 Poetry Fund Grant from The Academy of American Poets in cooperation with the Amazon Literary Partnership to fund readings from two international poets.

Founding Executive Director, Dr. Joanne V. Gabbin Retires

After 37 years of service at James Madison University, Dr. Joanne V. Gabbin celebrated her retirement with a jubilant reception on June 30, 2022.

Diversify Education Abroad for U.S. Students

JMU is one of 44 colleges and universities across the United States that will use the IDEAS grants to create, expand, and/or diversify American student mobility overseas in support of U.S. foreign policy goals.

Community with IDEAS: March 2023

The Madison Family Newsletter