The Graduate School Alumni Newsletter: Summer 2025

Jun 24, 2025: See what's happening in the graduate school.

Assessment & Measurement PhD Program Faculty and Students Present Research in Greece

Jun 5, 2025: Dr. Sara Finney and students in the Assessment & Measurement PhD program present empiracal research at the 19th Annual International Conference on Psychology in Athens, Greece.

PA Student Society receives national award for outstanding service

May 29, 2025: The JMU Physician Assistant Student Society was recognized as the 2025 Outstanding Student Society by the American Association of Physician Associates (AAPA).

JMU's New Doctor of Education Program

May 14, 2025: Introducing a new doctoral program

Celebrating the Impact of Graduate Student Scholarship & Creativity

Apr 29, 2025: JMU graduate students shared their work and the impact they’re making in their fields, communities, and across the university.

Lessons I will carry into the next chapter

Apr 22, 2025: The deadlines are done and graduation is around the corner. Read on to see what Dardanë learned in grad school as she moves forward.

Mason Hoey (BA Political Science, BS Public Policy and Administration '25) Recognized as a Student Leader in Public Service

Apr 11, 2025: Mason Hoey Recognized as a Student Leader in Public Service

Russell Lear (BA '12, MAT '13) of On the Road Collaborative Recognized as a JMU Alumnus Demonstrating Public Service Excellence

Apr 11, 2025: Russell Leary of On the Road Collaborative Recognized as a JMU Alumnus

Advice that helped me in grad school—and what I’d tell others

Apr 1, 2025: Graduate school is a big leap—read the advice and lessons that helped Dardanë along the way.

MBA in New Zealand

Mar 31, 2025: 15 years later, MBA 695 students are still trotting the globe.

Explaining Complex Research to the General Public: The Three Minutes Thesis (3MT) Competition

Mar 25, 2025: JMU graduate students present their research in the Three Minute Thesis competition.

The Graduate School Alumni Newsletter: Spring 2025

Mar 17, 2025: See what’s new this spring in graduate education.

Sara Finney recognized by NASPA for Excellence in Publication

Mar 7, 2025: NASPA recognized A&M professor Sara Finney as its Excellence in Publication award winner.

M.S. in Accounting program consistently produces top performers

Feb 27, 2025: Students in JMU’s M.S. in Accounting program significantly outperform the national average on the CPA exam.

How I stay motivated in grad school

Feb 26, 2025: Every day in grad school brings new opportunities, and Dardanë stays motivated by making small, intentional choices that keep her moving forward.

Leaders are made, not born

Feb 25, 2025: Unlocking potential is ‘highest calling.’

JMU Alumnus Arber Shehu Earns National Recognition for His Work in Oncology and Medical Affairs

Feb 20, 2025: Arber Shehu’s impact in oncology is getting national attention.

You are invited to an afternoon tea

Feb 14, 2025: Take a break, sip some tea and unwind at JMU’s Tea Time — a campus tradition you won’t want to miss!

Celebrating a Career of Dedication and Achievement

Feb 13, 2025: Lynette Michael retires after a remarkable career of dedication and achievements.

Lab School teaches by asking big questions

Jan 24, 2025: The state-funded program helps high-school students reach new heights, whether inside or outside the classroom.

JMU’s online MBA program named one of the best in country

Jan 21, 2025: MBA program remains in top 2% nationally.

Positive career outcomes

Jan 13, 2025: While the world of work has changed fundamentally, JMU graduates are fully prepared to succeed.

Leadership rooted in action

Jan 7, 2025: Maureen Metcalf (’84), CEO of the Innovative Leadership Institute, combines expertise and groundbreaking leadership.

How grad school has changed me

Dec 3, 2024: Dardanë Halimi shares how grad school at JMU helped her grow into a more independent, confident, and creative person.

JMU’s New Health Policy Certificate

Nov 18, 2024: JMU’s Health Policy Certificate equips graduates with the interdisciplinary skills needed to influence and advocate for healthcare policy changes.

A day in the life of a JMU Graduate Student

Nov 6, 2024: Dardanë Halimi, a second-year grad student at JMU, shares how she finds balance, growth, and joy in a packed day of classes, work, and internships.

Respect and caring: JMU graduate shows that it matters

Oct 22, 2024: Hannah Martin, a Master of Arts in Teaching graduate, fostered healthy teacher-student relationships that helped all her students graduate on time.

Graduate school was one of the most transcendent academic experiences of my life: building a dream career

Oct 21, 2024: Nina Varma, '19 found her dream career as a Scrum Lead at NBCUniversal through the skills she gained in her graduate studies in Writing, Rhetoric and Technical Communication.

PA Student Society receives $10,000 grant to support Suitcase Clinic

Oct 18, 2024: The JMU Physician Assistant Student Society (PASS) receives at $10,000 grant to support the Suitcase Clinic, a healthcare organization dedicated to improving the health of homeless individuals in the Harrisonburg area.

Assessment and Measurement faculty and students travel to the NERA annual meeting

Oct 16, 2024: Assessment and Measurement PhD and Psychological Sciences MA students and faculty travel to the 2024 Annual Meeting of the Northeastern Educational Research Association.

How I stay organized in grad school

Oct 7, 2024: Graduate student Dardanë Halimi shares how staying organized in grad school led to good grades, less stress and a more fulfilling experience.

Collaborative leadership: JMU MPA program appoints co-directors

Sep 11, 2024: The JMU MPA program is utilizing a new leadership approach and has appointed Dr. Rob Alexander and Dr. Sombo Muzata as its directors. The directors share their thoughts on how they will move the program forward

School of Nursing hosts international health care advocacy summit

Sep 10, 2024: Nursing hosted students and faculty from Stellenbosch University in South Africa as part of the Healthcare Policy Advocacy Summit, an International Network of Universities nursing collaborative.

JMU celebrates inaugural 'Game Changer'

Sep 9, 2024: Doreen Liccione (’92), an academic adviser in the CoB, is recognized as a “Game Changer” for her outstanding work benefiting JMU Athletics.

The Graduate School Alumni Newsletter: Fall 2024

Sep 1, 2024: Fall 2024 Graduate School Alumni Newsletter

The unsung heroes of democracy

Aug 23, 2024: Educator Wesley Hedgepeth (’08, ’09M) reveals the transformative power of social studies teachers.

Congressman Ben Cline tours School of Nursing

Aug 21, 2024: Congressman Ben Cline visited the JMU School of Nursing Wednesday to receive feedback from students in the online doctoral program.

Rehab reimagined: Alumna honored for innovations in stroke recovery

Aug 14, 2024: Occupational Therapy graduate receives the Innovation Award from NBCOT for her groundbreaking work in stroke rehabilitation.

JMU MFA graduate named VMFA Visual Arts Professional Fellow

Jun 25, 2024: Yulin Yuan (’24M) of SADAH’s MFA program received a 2024-2025 Visual Arts Professional Fellowship from the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.

Ethical Leadership and Professionalism from Italy to Africa

Jun 20, 2024: The U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa team shares their advice on leadership and professionalism in an ever-changing workplace with the EUPS 2024 cohort.

Santi Apostoli

Jun 20, 2024: Marisol Powell ('24) writes about her experience living in Florence and visiting the city's most ancient religious sites.

Fostering Innovation in the Middle East

Jun 20, 2024: Alexandra Wilson Tuman ('24) interviews Christina Craver ('12) about her experiences living and working in Dubai, to highlight the benefits and challenges of living and working abroad.

Letter from the Director

Jun 20, 2024: Our alumni survey speaks to how our graduates value their time in this program.

Modeling the Way with Model EU

Jun 20, 2024: Noah Buracker ('24) shares his perspective on serving as the High Representative/Vice President during the 2023 Model EUP Simulation and embracing cultural exchange and international networking.

Bridging Skies and Borders

Jun 20, 2024: EUPS alumna, Liz Hammer ('14), the Chief of Air and Space at the U.S. Embassy in London, shares her insight on professional growth and career development from across the pond.

The Graduate School Alumni Newsletter: Summer 2024

Jun 18, 2024: Summer 2024 Alumni Newsletter

JMU recognized by the Carnegie Elective Classification for Leadership for Public Purpose

Jun 14, 2024: JMU is one of 25 institutions to receive this recognition.

CSPA learning improvements recognized with Provost Award

May 30, 2024: Strategic improvements in the structure and curriculum of the College Student Personnel Administration program were recognized.

JMU awards record number of doctoral degrees

May 10, 2024: The numbers reflect the university’s new designation as an R2 Doctoral University with high research activity.

Recent graduate alumnus receives international recognition

May 9, 2024: Graduate student Sophia Park recognized by international organization.

Transforming challenges into opportunities

May 1, 2024: Huda and Shamsuddin, graduate students from Afghanistan, defy limits, shaping a narrative of resilience and hope amid challenges.

Announcing the 2024 Public Service Awards honorees

Apr 23, 2024: Public Service Awards at James Madison University has announced the 2024 honorees, recognizing four Valley residents for their exemplary public service work.

What am I looking forward to this summer?

Apr 17, 2024: Dardanë shares her excitement and plans for this summer break!

The Graduate School Alumni Newsletter: December 2024

Nov 15, 2021: December 2024 Alumni Newsletter