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JMU VALOR Newsletter: APRIL 2024

JMU VALOR Newsletter: APRIL 2024

Brought to you by the JMU VALOR Resource Center

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Welcome

Welcome back from spring break! We hope that you were able to relax and be recharged to take on the rest of the semester. Be sure to take time for yourself and use the available resources on campus to make the most of your time. Below are some updates of what is happening in the JMU VALOR Resource Center, as well as what we are doing around campus. 

Get Involved

Get Involved with JMU Student Veterans Association

Good afternoon, Dependents, Veterans, and those currently serving. My name is Jonathan Carnell, and I am the current Social Chair for the JMU Student Veteran Association. I am organizing several events for the coming weeks, so please stay tuned. If you have anything you'd like to see from SVA, please contact me at carneljl@dukes.jmu.edu. If you are not in SVA, I would also like to let you know that we are happy to invite all JMU VALOR members to our public events.

From the Associate Vice President for Accessibility and Belonging
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Greetings, JMU VALOR Family!

My name is Dr. Bruce E. Mitchell II and I am so excited to join the JMU Family! As of now, I am just over one month into my new role and have been so impressed with this beautiful campus, along with the kind and supportive people I have met along the way. As the new Associate Vice President for Accessibility & Belonging in Student Affairs, I am responsible for the oversight of our JMU VALOR Resource Center, which is one of the five areas under the Accessibility & Belonging umbrella. I am enthusiastic to work alongside the JMU VALOR Coordinator, to strategize how we can best provide support, resources, and affinity space to our JMU Veterans and military connected students, as we enter a new academic year in fall 2024! There are so many of you to get to know and so many of your amazing stories and life journeys to hear, as we get to know each other. I would love to hear your ideas for what you want JMU VALOR to be for you. When you see me around campus, please don’t hesitate to say hello or engage in conversation with me, as I am happy to meet students and build new relationships.

 

While I am not a Veteran myself, I have several people throughout my family and mentees from various universities I’ve served, who are and who currently serve our country. I am from Cleveland, Ohio and am the grandson of a retired Cleveland Police Detective and the son of a retired Cleveland Metroparks Police Sergeant, who helped to establish their Honor Guard program and protocol. I attended Kent State University for my undergraduate collegiate experience and master’s degrees and West Virginia University for my doctoral degree. My passion through the years has been mentoring and advising all students; particularly who are, underrepresented, first-generation, from low-income families, and have various intersections of identities that have historically been underserved. Working with and building relationships with students is my “super power.” I absolutely love and enjoy the opportunity to pour into the lives of students who are in route to or on their collegiate journey and to create opportunities for them to be developed holistically, e.g., academically, professionally, socially, culturally, personally etc. I have had an opportunity to sit in the JMU VALOR space with a few students to begin understanding what some of their needs are. Specifically, around increasing awareness of available resources and participation for JMU Veterans and those with family military connections. We even brainstormed quite a few fun ideas and opportunities to cast the JMU VALOR net wide across campus and bring in the family of JMU Veterans, to make sure they know we are here and that they can begin to build affinity amongst fellow veterans and military connected students. So, stay tuned!

In service,

Dr. Mitchel

Events

Weekly Events – Join us every Wednesday in the Resource Center!!!! 

Midweek Munchies (Not MREs) 

Every Wednesday, JMU VALOR will host an event in the Resource Center. So far, we have had pizza, a therapy animal in the space and donuts. To find out what is happening be sure to follow JMU VALOR on Instagram. 

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Past Events

Barks of VALOR 

On March 20 and Feb. 21, we were able to have Gracie, one of the Counseling Center's therapy animals in the JMU VALOR Resource Center. Below are a few pictures. We will be hosting one more of these events this year. The last date is April 17, from 11 to 11:30 a.m. 

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JMU Baseball Military Appreciation Game 

JMU VALOR had the amazing opportunity to throw out the first pitch for the JMU Baseball vs VMI Military Appreciation Baseball game. 

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JMU Veterans History Project 

A multitude of JMU departments are working together in order to preserve JMU veterans' stories. This work will be in tandem with the Library of Congress Veteran Archival Project. Please use the link above to view examples and receive more information about what is being done. The Opening Launch Event on campus will be on April 25 and sign-up is required to attend. Be sure to monitor the JMU Instagram and your email about signing up!

Fallen Soldiers 5k, JMU VALOR and JMU ROTC 

Join us April 21 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for the Fallen Soldiers 5K. This is a great opportunity to meet veterans and give back to those who have served. Tickets are $25 which include a T-shirt, VALOR challenge coin and food. There are also gift cards and goods available to top finishers. Signup ends on March 29.

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Other Upcoming Events 

  • Barks of VALOR, April 17, 11–11:30 a.m. 
  • JMU VALOR Movie Night at Bridgeforth Stadium, April 19, 7:30–11:30 p.m.
  • ODS and JMU VALOR Wheelchair Basketball Tournament, April 26, 2:00-4:00 p.m.
    • Please reach out if you’re interested in playing.

                             

VETERANS and MILITARY SPOUSES SMALL BUSINESS GRANT PROGRAM 

Hiring Our Heroes’ Small Business Grant Program will award five small businesses owned by veterans and/or military spouses with a one-time $10,000 grant to grow and support their businesses. Use this link for more information. 

Ending Notes

Have a great April, and be sure to reach out and stop by the JMU VALOR Resource Center. 

JMU VALOR Coordinator  
John Jornlin 
540-568-3495
jmuvalor@jmu.edu

VDVS Benefits and Family Support 
For appointments call 540-332-8900 
https://vesa.dvs.virginia.gov/ 

JMU’s GI Bill School Certifying Officials 
Kelly Hollembeak
450-568-4769
veteran@jmu.edu 

Lauren Houff 
540-586-6569
veteran@jmu.edu

Office of the Registrar 
738 S. Mason Street, MSC 3528 
SSC Room 5300 
Harrisonburg, VA 22807 

About The JMU VALOR Center

The JMU VALOR Resource Center is located in The Union, Taylor Down Under.

The JMU VALOR Resource Center is proud to host the Virginia Department of Veterans Services (VDVS). There will be a staffer in the Resource Center Monday to Thursday. On Monday and Tuesday, Virginia Veterans Family Support staffers will be represented and on Wednesday and Thursday a VDVS Benefits staffer will be in office. Appointments can be made through the Staunton VDVS Office (540-332-8900).

The Resource Center provides study space, a fridge with free snacks and drinks, an office for the JMU VALOR staff, couches, free printing and even a massage chair to relax. It is open 24 hours a day and all military connected students, faculty, and staff are welcome. Fill out and submit this form to request access.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Dr. Tim Miller | Chair | Vice President for Student Affairs | millertm@jmu.edu
John Jornlin | Coordinator | Graduate Assistant | jornlijp@jmu.edu

Helpful Links