In This Issue

• Important dates for December 2025 graduates

• JMC’s fall pop-up shop is now open!

• Upcoming events of interest to JMC students, including a Constitution Day lecture on unpopular Supreme Court decisions

• Helpful resources in Case Hall

• Opportunities: Learn more about MSU’s Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies

• Madisonian Mention: Catch Anastasia Breen (IR & Acting) performing in MSU's Taking Off! at the Wharton this weekend

December 2025 Commencement

MSU's Fall 2025 Commencement Ceremonies for baccalaureate graduates will take place on Dec. 13 in the Breslin Center. JMC grads will be recognized at the 9 a.m. ceremony.

Want your name to appear in the ceremony program? Apply to graduate in MSU's Student Information System by Oct. 10 (be sure to remove any FERPA restrictions from your account if you'd like your name to appear).

Register to participate via Eventbrite by Dec. 1 to walk in your ceremony and have your name called.

Find more information on MSU's Commencement website.

JMC Fall Pop-up Shop

Looking for some JMC apparel? The college’s Fall Pop-Up Shop is now open! Order online between now and Sept. 29 at 8 p.m. Garments will ship within two to three weeks of the close date.

Events

Curious about where Madison students intern for the college’s field experience requirement? We asked Madisonains to tell us where they’ve interned recently. Learn more at Internships 101 with Field Experience Coordinator Lauren Michalak in Case Hall this Tuesday.

Internships 101
Sept. 16 at 4:30 p.m. in S329 Case Hall. Looking for an internship for an upcoming semester? Not sure where to start? Join JMC Field Experience Coordinator Lauren Michalak to learn about resources and strategies for finding an internship — whether for credit or just to gain experience. Learn more via JMC
Note: This event can be counted as one of the three required events to earn the JMC Career Readiness Badge.

The Dreyfus Affair: Antisemitism and the Transformation of Jewish Identity at the Turn of the Twentieth Century
Sept. 16 at 5:30 p.m. in Club Spartan (338 Case Hall). Yale Professor Maurice Samuels describes the significance of the Dreyfus Affair, showing how it marked a decisive moment in the evolution of antisemitism and helped create a modern form of Jewish identity. Learn more via JMC

Gaza: Doctors Under Attack 
Sept. 16 at 6:30 p.m. in B-117 Wells Hall. Attend a free film screening of “Gaza: Doctors Under Attack.” This event is organized by the MSU Muslim Studies Program, Film Studies Program and Palestine Interfaith Network. Learn more via JMC

MSU Law Constitution Day Panel
Sept. 17 at 12 p.m. in Room 343 648 N Shaw Lane. College of Law faculty will dive into today’s most pressing constitutional issues and the role attorneys play in shaping their outcomes. RSVP via Eventbrite

Constitution Day: Civil Cases in District Court
Sept. 17 at 2 p.m. in 54-B Courthouse (located in East Lansing City Hall). Join City of East Lansing staff from our local courthouse to learn about general civil cases ant the process within the district court (with Q&A and cooks). Call 517-337-1113 or complete this online form to reserve your spot.

Constitution Day at JMC 
Sept. 17 at 5 p.m. in C100 Wonders Hall KIVA. In “Pushback: The Political Fallout of Unpopular Supreme Court Decisions,” Dr. Dave Bridge explores what happens after the Supreme Court makes unpopular rulings. Some have sparked grassroots pushback. In others, Congress successfully signaled to the judiciary that it should back off from an issue. Most significantly, the two major parties can use unpopular decisions to shift political momentum and win elections. Learn more via via JMC

Building a Solidarity Coalition for Healing and Resilience in the Middle East
Sept. 18 at 12 p.m. via Zoom. This webinar presents a newly established coalition of over 20 international and local disaster health care NGOs providing direct life-saving mental health and medical services to victims of war and violence in Palestine, Lebanon and Syria. Learn more via JMC and register to attend via Zoom

A Reverse Water Carrier: Israel's Bold Climate Adaptation Efforts
Sept. 18, 5:30 p.m. in the JMC Library (332 Case Hall). Based on recently completed research, this engaging presentation should be of interest for anyone concerned about what can be done to address the world’s mounting water crisis. Alon Tal is a professor at Tel Aviv University, where he previously served as chair of the Department of Public Policy. Learn more via JMC

Yale Law School Recruitment & Admissions
Sept. 23 at 12:30 p.m. in Club Spartan, 338 Case Hall. Meet the Yale Law School admissions team and learn about Yale’s unique admissions process. This session will include a brief presentation with plenty of time for questions. Register to attend via Handshake
Note: This event can be counted as one of the three required events to earn the JMC Career Readiness Badge.

Office Hours with the Chicago Harris School of Public Policy
Sept. 24, 2 to 4 p.m. in 329 Case Hall. The Chicago Harris School of Public Policy will offer insights on their programs and admissions process. Pop by as your schedule allows. Register to attend via Handshake
Note: This event can be counted as one of the three required events to earn the JMC Career Readiness Badge.

Education Abroad Info Session
Sept. 24, 4:30 p.m. in the JMC Library (332 Case Hall). Thinking about an education abroad program? Unsure where to start or what the different types of programs mean? This session will cover program types, logistics, planning and how you can explore your options to learn abroad. Learn more via JMC

Fall Career Exposure Program

Are you interested in seeing where JMC alumni are working in the Lansing area? Want to explore the variety of fields open to students with a degree in public affairs? Join JMC for our first local Career Exposure Program to Lansing during MSU's fall break (Oct. 20 & 21). Hosts will include:

• Michigan Farm Bureau Insurance

• Dewpoint Consulting

• Public Sector Consultants

• Techsmith

• MSUFCU 

• Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)

• Michigan Legislature (House & Senate)

• Governor Whitmer's Executive Office

• Networking Reception with Hosts & Alumni

The program fee (approx. $50) will cover transportation and lunch for both days. All current student are welcome to participate in the program. 

Apply via Qualtrics by Sept. 21. Contact Karissa Chabot-Purchase (kcp@msu.edu) or Lauren Michalak (michal34@msu.edu) with questions.

Scholarships & Awards

Gordon and Norma Public Policy Internship Award
This award is open to students of any major who are planning a public policy-related internship that will count for MSU internship credit. Applications for the Fall 2025 Semester are now open (apply by Oct. 9). Find more information on the award and application details via PDF. 

Case Hall Resources

Office Hours with Assoc. Dean Linda Racioppi
JMC students are invited to attend Associate Dean Linda Racioppi’s weekly office hours on Wednesdays from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. in S359 Case Hall beginning Sept. 24. These weekly sessions are an opportunity for you to discuss your academic journey with college leadership. Potential topics of discussion might include:

• How to connect with faculty who share your research interests

• Student-led events and initiatives you’d like to share with the college

• How to connect with opportunities in and beyond the classroom

• Questions or concerns for college leadership

These drop-in office hours are open to all Madison students.

CAPS Connect in Case Hall
JMC has a dedicated counselor on staff, Courtney Brown, available for drop-in counseling on Mondays from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. in S363 Case Hall. Courtney is available for free, confidential conversations to discuss any mental health concerns you may be facing. Visit MSU Caps Connect for more information.

Express Academic Advising (In Person & Virtual)
JMC’s Academic Advising Teams offers in-person express appointments from Monday to Thursday, 1 to 4 p.m. in 328 South Case Hall. Assistant Dean Jeff Judge is also available in the Express Advising Center on Tuesday evenings from 6 to 8 p.m. On Fridays, virtual express appointments are available from 1 to 4 p.m. Learn more about academic advising (including when you should use the Express Advising Center and when you should schedule an appointment) on JMC’s website.

Writing Center at JMC
Need help working through an assignment, essay or presentation? The Writing Center at JMC in 341 Case Hall will be open Monday-Thursday evenings from 6 to 9 p.m. Learn more on JMC’s website.

Opportunities

Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies (CLACS)

• CLACS Minor: MSU offers an interdisciplinary minor in Latin American and Caribbean Studies that offers students language and cultural competence, academic knowledge of the region and intercultural communication skills. More info via PDF.

• CLACS Research Funding: The CLACS endowment funds support undergraduates pursuing research, internships or study abroad in Latin America and the Caribbean. Applications are due on the last day of February of each year. More info via CLACS.

• CLACS Education Abroad Programs: View MSU education abroad opportunities in Latin America and the Caribbean on the CLACS website.

Find more information about MSU resources available to JMC students — including info on academic accommodations, mental health support and the MSU Food Bank — on JMC’s website.

Madisonian Mention: Anastasia Breen

Each week, we highlight a JMC student. This week’s Madisonian Mention is Anastasia Breen (IR and Acting), who will be performing in Taking Off!, a musical comedy set aboard a turbulent 1960s Panamorama Airlines flight this weekend.

“I’m Anastasia Breen, and I’m a junior at MSU majoring in International Relations and Acting, with minors in Musical Theatre and Science, Technology, Environment, and Public Policy (STEPP). While these two majors might seem very different, I’m passionate about the intersection between social justice and international politics, and arts and culture are critical to this! I am currently working on MSU's New Musical Laboratory, Taking Off!, a musical comedy set aboard a turbulent 1960s Panamorama Airlines flight. My character, Amelia Darehart — an ambitious female mechanic — trades her toolbox for a stewardess uniform... only to discover the role isn’t as glamorous as it seems. Taking Off! explores the push and pull between freedom and societal expectations — all at 35,000 feet. The New Musical Laboratory is a collaboration between the Department of Theatre and Wharton Center supporting the creative process of new musicals in development while providing students the opportunity to work directly with professionals in the Broadway industry. Get your tickets and come see the production from Sept. 19-21 at Wharton Center! When I’m not at rehearsal or doing JMC readings, you’ll find me at my Education internship at Wharton Center, attending Delta Phi Epsilon events, hanging out with my friends or baking breakfast bread in my apartment!”

More from Anastasia:

• Favorite current read: Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas 

• Favorite movie/tv show: The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

• Favorite place in East Lansing: College of Music lobby

• Favorite combo location: 1855 Place Sparty’s

• Favorite Artist: SZA and Prince of Eden 

Have questions or submissions for this newsletter? Contact Jane Deacon (locket20@msu.edu).