SMAD Day 2026 is Friday, Oct. 16

SMAD Day brings together students, alumni and faculty for informative career sessions and networking opportunities. Sessions will cover careers, portfolios, resumes, interviewing, and more.

SMAD Day also is a wonderful opportunity for alumni to catch up with each other and share their career and life journeys with current students — as well as update each other and faculty on their achievements.

SMAD Day 2026 tentative schedule:

Morning SMAD Day Welcome and Keynote Speaker, Panels, and Opportunity Fair

LOCATION: Taylor Hall (student union complex)

• 8:30 a.m. in Taylor 309 — Registration 
  
  
• 9-10 a.m. in Taylor 306 — Welcome and Keynote Speaker
  
  
• 10 a.m.-noon in Taylor 405 — Career, Internship and Student Organization Opportunity Fair 
  
  
• 10:30 a.m.-11:45 p.m. — Panels featuring SMAD alumni
  • Creative Advertising career panel — Taylor 305
  • Journalism career panel — Taylor 304
  • AI in the media industry — Taylor 306

"Dog Day" Lunch

LOCATION: On the grassy area between Harrison Hall and Converse Hall 

• Noon-1 p.m. — Hot Dogs (including veggie dogs and gluten-free options) and refreshments, plus student-alumni-faculty-staff mingling.  

Afternoon Resume/Portfolio Reviews, More Panels and Breeze TV's Live Broadcast!

LOCATION: Harrison Hall

• 1-3 p.m. — Resume/Portfolio Reviews
  • 0101 Harrison 
  • 0104 Harrison 
  • 0241 Harrison 
  • 0290 Harrison 

• 1:45-3 p.m. — Panels featuring SMAD alumni
  • DVC career panel—TBD
  • Interactive Design career panel — TBD
  • Freelancing in the media business — TBD

• 3:15-4 p.m. — Alumni are welcome to sit in on the broadcast of Breeze TV that begins at 3:30 p.m. in the Alison Parker Studio featuring the studio's new LED wall technology, SMAD Studio G290 Harrison Hall

REGISTRATION WILL BE AVAILABLE STARTING SEPT. 1

For current SMAD students — including those in SMAD 101 — SMAD Day is a great opportunity to network with alumni and other students. Register ahead of time, which doesn't mean you have to go to everything (don't skip class, for instance). But make the most out of the day.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Do I have to register for SMAD Day? 

Walk-ins may register on-site, but participation will be on a first-come, first served basis, especially for the resume / portfolio reviews and panels, which might have limited space and reviewer availability. 

Can I attend without participating the resume / portfolio review? 

Yes. You can get a lot out of the day without participating in the resume / portfolio review. 

What should I wear? 

If you are planning to participate in the resume / portfolio review, you should consider business casual to make a good first impression. 

For alumni and general attendees, consider wearing your SMAD swag or JMU colors. 

What should I bring for the day? 

Any materials you want to share (resumes, portfolio, your laptop, etc.). 

Do I need to attend all day? 

No, but make sure to check the schedule so you can hit the events that are most relevant to your interests. 

What is the review format? 

Most reviews will be in a round robin / speed dating format. 

Can I, as a SMAD student, present my portfolio digitally to an alum during the resume/portfolio review? 

You may present your portfolio digitally, but consider bringing a laptop or tablet to display it. SMAD labs will not be available for use during the reviews. Notify the room coordinator when you arrive for SMAD day if there are special considerations. 

It is your responsibility to be prepared: check the Wi-Fi and/or make sure your laptop battery is charged. Technical support and charging stations will not be provided. 

Will there be food?  

Yes, we'll have hot dogs for everyone at lunchtime. And if anyone has dietary restrictions, please list them on the registration form so that we can provide an alternative.   

Alumni are welcome to start arrriving at 8:30 a.m. to mingle and get coffee and snacks. 

What's the parking situation? 

All regulations for JMU students, faculty and staff will remain in effect, and students attending the event are required to park in appropriate student parking lots with a JMU parking permit. 

Alumni, as well as representatives of organizations participating in the SMAD Day opportunity fair, will be allowed to park at no cost in either the Warsaw and Mason Street parking decks between 7 a.m.-6 p.m. on SMAD Day (Oct. 17). Those decks are circled in red and the SMAD Day venues are circled in purple: 

You can view the JMU online parking map here.