In This Issue

• Studying abroad in the summer or fall? Applications are open for the South Asia and Brazil programs

• Upcoming events

• Opportunities of interest to JMC students

• Grad school resources

• Important dates for Spring 2026 graduates

• Student resources in Case Hall

• Madisonian Mention: Sameer Saraswat

Education Abroad

Politics, Culture & Society in Brazil: Apply by Feb. 15
Study Brazilian politics, economics, culture, and race relations in Salvador — a city that serves as a deep reflection of Afro-Brazilian culture and is rich in popular culture. Runs June 21-July 31. Apply by Feb. 15.

Global Development in South Asia: Apply by Feb. 15
The deadline to apply for Global Development in South Asia study abroad program (which will travel to India and Sri Lanka this summer) has been extended to Feb. 15. Contact Profs. Sejuti Das Gupta (dasgup16@msu.edu) and Linda Racioppi (racioppi@msu.edu) with questions.

JMC Education Abroad Scholarships
Applications for the JMC Education Abroad Scholarships are now open. Students who are participating in an education abroad program for Summer 2026 or Fall 2026 are eligible to apply. Learn more and apply via Qualtrics by Feb. 28.

Events

Creating a Federal Resume 
Feb. 10, 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. held virtually. Learn about the ins and outs of preparing a resume for an opportunity with the federal government. 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.

Internships 101 
Feb. 11, 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. in Room 329, South Case Hall. Learn about resources and strategies for finding an internship with JMC Field Experience Coordinator Lauren Michalak. Learn more via JMC.
Note: This event can be counted as one of the three required events to earn the JMC Career Readiness Badge.

JMC EMBRACE Dialogue: The Black Church & Civil Rights
Feb. 11, 7 p.m. in the JMC Library (332 Case Hall). Students and community members are invited to join the JMC EMBRACE team for a discussion on the historical and intellectual role of the Black Church in shaping Black political thought. Register to attend via Eventbrite.

Lady in the Black Dress Film Screen & Discussion
Feb. 12, 8 a.m. in Hubbard Hall G29. Film screening followed by a virtual discussions with Prof. Lilach Rosenberg-Friedman, Associate Professor at the Martin (Szusz) Land of Israel studies and Archaeology department, Bar-Ilan University. Learn more via JMC.

JMC Fourth Annual Black History Month Symposium
Feb. 20, 12 p.m. in Club Spartan, 338 Case Hall. This year's keynote speaker will be The Honorable Conrad Mallet, Jr., the first African American to serve as Chief Justice on the Michigan Supreme Court and former Deputy Mayor for the City of Detroit. All are welcome to attend.

JMC Research Showcase
JMC’s 2026 Research Showcase will be held on April 24 in Case Hall. Students are invited to present their scholarship with faculty, staff, peers and external audiences. Learn more about the event and submit your application by March 13.

Apply to Work with JMC’s Recruitment Team

JMC Student Assistant Recruitment Coordinator
JMC is seeking students to join as Student Assistant Recruitment Coordinators for the 2026-27 academic year. This paid role spans two semesters, with potential for further re-appointment dependent on availability and performance. Help enhance JMC's outreach and recruitment, liaising with prospective students, high schools and community organizations. Training provided. Apply via Handshake (#10691165 or search JMC) by Feb. 15.

JMC Short Course: Innovations in Finance

This semester, JMC will offer a unique one-week course (March 9-14) titled “Innovations in Finance: How Economic Policymakers are Coping with Emerging Technologies.” Learn how emerging technology is changing economic policymaking and identify some of the unique legal and regulatory issues posed by the development of cryptocurrencies, decentralized finance and other developments from a policy practitioner perspective. Apply by Feb. 9 via Google Forms. Contact Prof. Robert Brathwaite (brathwa1@msu.edu) with questions.

February Alum in Residence: Spencer Good

The JMC Alumni in Residence program offers Madison students the opportunity to connect one-on-one (via Zoom) with JMC alums for mentoring and networking. The January Alumnus is Spencer Good (PTCD, SRP 2024), who works as a Legislative Director for State Representative Joseph Fox within the Michigan House of Representatives.

Meet with Spencer

Grad School Resources

Georgetown's Undergraduate Summer Law Institute
Capitol Law @ GU: Georgetown Undergraduate Summer Law Institute is a five-week, eight-credit program designed specifically for undergraduate students interested in law. Attend an information session on Feb. 10 and apply by March 6.

CLEO Inc. Pre-Law Summer Institute 
Prelaw Summer Institute (PLSI) is a rigorous, residential program designed to familiarize and better prepare students for success in law school. PLSI 2026 will begin with a two-week (May 23 – July 2) virtual introduction to law school, followed by immersive on-campus experience hosted by Penn State Dickenson Law in Pennsylvania. The PLSI 2026 program cost is $2,500 per person with a $200 deposit. Apply by April 1. Learn more and apply via CLEO Inc.

Opportunities

ProjectConnect @ MSU
Did you know it takes the average student 50 hours to make a casual friend? ProjectConnect @ MSU is a facilitated program designed to help students connect with peers, make friends and build meaningful community. Students meet in small groups of 4-6 and get to know one another over the course of six one-hour sessions, engaging in fun, thought-provoking conversations sparked by creative prompts. Register online by Feb. 19.

SPARC Spring Issue Submissions Are Now Open 
SPARC (Student Papers in Academic Research Collaborative), MSU’s undergraduate research journal, is now accepting submissions for its Spring 2026 issue. Students from all disciplines and experience levels are encouraged to submit research papers, literature reviews, creative writing, artist statements, commentary pieces and more. Send submissions by Feb. 15 via SPARC Google Form.

Academic Success Workshops 
View upcoming Academic Success Workshops hosted by the Office for Undergraduate Education. Upcoming opportunities include: 

• Get Over Procrastination, Feb. 10, 4:30 p.m. Register Online 

• Prioritize Like a Pro, Feb. 11, 4 p.m. Register Online

• Read Smarter, Not Harder: Annotation Skills That Actually Work, Feb. 12, 2 p.m. Register Online 

Spring 2026 Graduation Info

Attention Spring 2026 graduates!

• James Madison College's Spring 2026 Commencement Ceremony will be held on Saturday, May 2, at 12:30 p.m. in the Wharton Center. Register to participate via Eventbrite.

• Apply to graduate in SIS by Feb. 27 to ensure your name is included in the commencement program. (Note: If you have a FERPA restriction on your student account, your name will not appear in the commencement program.)

• Apply to be the JMC Student Commencement Speaker! This is a unique opportunity for a spring or summer 2026 graduating senior to represent the undergraduate class and share a meaningful message at commencement. Apply by Feb. 19.

• If you’re a Spring or Summer 2026 graduate interested in helping to select the Student Commencement Speaker, apply by Feb. 19.

Learn More About Graduation

Student Resources

Academic Advising
Academic advisors are available for drop-in advising through the Express Advising Center in 328 S. Case Hall on weekdays. Visit JMC’s website for more info.

Internships & Education Abroad Advising
Students with questions about internships and education abroad programs can meet with Field Experience Coordinator Lauren Michalak for drop-in advising on Wednesdays from 1 to 4 p.m. in 329 South Case Hall.

JMC Community Counselor: Drop-In Counseling
CAPS Connect counselor Victor Léon is available for free, confidential drop-in counseling on Monday afternoons from 3 to 5 p.m. in S363 Case Hall. Visit MSU CAPS Connect for more information.

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. Schedule an appointment or drop in.

Office Hours with Assoc. Dean Linda Racioppi
Associate Dean Linda Racioppi holds weekly office hours on Wednesdays from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. in S359 Case Hall. Stop in to discuss your academic journey with college leadership. These drop-in office hours are open to all Madison students.

Connect with JMC’s Career Peer  
Need help with resumes, cover letters, personal statements or interview prep? Connect with JMC’s Career Peer, Taylor Toth, during weekly office hours held Wednesdays from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in S329 South Case or schedule on Handshake. Taylor can also review materials sent to jm.career@msu.edu.

Madisonian Mention: Sameer Saraswat

Learn more about Sameer below!

“My name is Sameer Saraswat and I am a senior studying Political Theory & Constitutional Democracy and Social Relations & Policy, alongside my minor, Philosophy. Academically, I am interested in the intersection of phenomenology and environmentalism. Most of my time at Madison has been largely dedicated to organizing/mobilizing students for environmental justice with the Sunrise movement. I’ve been lucky to travel across the country with many of my Madison peers (and closest friends) to meet leaders of national social justice movements and develop my skills. I’ve also worked as a teaching assistant for MC 201 and on Will Lawrence’s congressional campaign as a social media aid.”

“When not organizing or studying, I am making music. Two Madison friends and I co-founded the Cadre, an electronic music booking collective in Lansing. Our journey has brought us many awesome opportunities, including the chance to perform in the MSU museum as a part of their Techno exhibition! In the future, I hope to continue to bridge the gap between my passions: philosophy, music and organizing”

Favorite Artists: KUSS, Feng, Aphex Twin, Justin Bieber, Oklou

Favorite JMC Class: Beyond Liberal Democracy with Professor Petrie

Best Study Spot: Back corner of the quiet section in the library

Favorite Movie: Fantastic Mr. Fox

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