JMC Connect Newsletter: Week of April 21
Upcoming events and opportunities of interest to JMC students (week of April 21, 2025)
In This Issue
Upcoming JMC events
Student org events and updates
Opportunities for JMC students
Resources to help you navigate life on campus, including the JMC Writing Center
Check your inbox on Friday for the weekly Internships & Job Opportunities edition of this newsletter.
Missed a previous newsletter? View the JMC Connect archive online.
Events
Forging Unconventional Careers in/with Asia
April 22, 3 p.m. in the JMC Library. This panel discussion will include Sundance Award-winning filmmaker Kalyanee Mam and Prof. Sejuti Das Gupta. Prof. Amanda Flaim and current student Lauren Pelon will moderate the discussion.
Distinguished Nuclear Policy Lecture: Michael Chase
April 23, 5 to 7 p.m. in Case Hall (Third Floor). Attend the Distinguished Nuclear Policy Lecture with Michael Chase, senior political scientist at RAND and former deputy assistant secretary of defense for China, Taiwan and Mongolia. Chase will explore China’s evolving nuclear policy, the reasons behind its shift, and the implications for U.S. strategy and defense relations. Learn more via JMC Events
Deciding Who Was Worth Saving: American Universities and the Refugee Scholars of the Nazi Era
April 24, 5:45 to 7:15 p.m. in JMC Library (332 Case Hall). Join Prof. Laurel Leff as she uncovers the overlooked story of European scholars denied refuge in the U.S. during the Nazi era. Based on her acclaimed book Well Worth Saving, the lecture explores how American universities and the State Department made difficult decisions about which scholars to support. Learn more via JMC Events
JMC 2025 Research Showcase
April 25, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Case Hall. James Madison College will hosting the 2025 Research Showcase in the JMC Library April 25. This Research Showcase provides Madison students an opportunity to showcase their scholarship and creative activity with faculty, staff, peers, and external audiences. View presenter schedule and learn more via JMC Events
South Neighborhood Annual Carnival
April 26, 1 to 3 p.m. in the Case/Wonders Courtyard. South Neighborhood is holding its annual carnival, with inflatable obstacle courses and jousting, carnival/midway games, and prizes and snacks for students. Jeff the Magician will perform throughout the event.
JMC Commencement
May 3, 12:30 p.m. in the Wharton Center. Graduates are asked to arrive to assemble by 11:30 a.m. (doors open for guests at the same time). The ceremony lasts approximately two hours. A reception in South Pointe will follow immediately after the ceremony until 4 p.m. Learn more via JMC Events
Student Organizations
JMC Student Senate: Study Hours
April 22, 4:30 to 7 p.m., in Case Hall (Room 339). Enjoy free pizza and get help from Writing Consultants in collaboration with the JMC Writing Center. Learn more via JMC Student Senate Instagram
JMC Student Senate: JMC Gala
April 25, 7 to 9 p.m. in Demonstration Hall. Gala season is here! Formal attire is encouraged but not required. Masquerade masks will be provided for attendees. Purchase tickets via Eventbrite
Opportunities
College Inclusion Committee: Call for Students Reps
Students interested in supporting diversity, equity and inclusion efforts at the college are encouraged to apply to serve on JMC’s College Inclusion Committee (CIC), which advises the Dean and faculty on concerns regarding issues and policies related to inclusion and diversity. All JMC students are eligible. Apply via Google Forms by May 7.
JMC Mart: American Liberalism and Conservatism
This research tutorial will study the evolution of American liberalism and conservatism in recent decades, primarily through the lens of the Democratic and Republican parties. Participants will look at how progressives in the Democratic Party and a new conservative movement in the Republican Party have challenged party establishments, reoriented the parties around new issues and policy positions, and eroded longstanding norms and areas of consensus in Americans politics.
Each participating student will complete an independent research paper (around 12-15 pages) on a topic of their choosing. Students will choose their topics in September and develop the paper in stages throughout the semester. In addition, the students will collaborate with faculty in designing the curriculum for the tutorial.
Students interested in enrolling in the tutorial should email Professors Cash and Lorch no later than Friday, May 2 (cashjor1@msu.edu and lorch@msu.edu). In your email, please include a paragraph explaining your interest in doing a research tutorial and in the topic of this tutorial. Please also indicate your grade level (rising sophomore/junior/senior).
Scholarships & Awards
George Watt Essay Contest 2025
The Watt Prize is now accepting submissions for essays or thesis chapters on the Spanish Civil War, global anti-fascist struggles of the 1920s and 1930s, or the contributions of international volunteers who fought for the Spanish Republic. This opportunity is open to both graduate and undergraduate students worldwide, the contest offers cash prizes: up to $1,000 for graduate essays (3,500-12,500 words) and up to $500 for undergraduate essays (2,000-10,500 words). All submissions must be emailed toWattAward@alba-valb.org by July 5. Learn more via Alba-Valb Website
Resources
JMC Writing Center
The JMC Writing Center is located North Case, Room 341. Writing Consultants offer Madison students one-on-one peer assistance with a variety of writing tasks, from academic papers to personal statements and resumes. Learn more via the JMC Writing Center website
JMC Career Peers Office Hours
JMC’s Career Peers, Taylor Toth (PTCD, SRP '26) and Justina Giglio (SRP '25) hold weekly office hours in Case Hall. Schedule a meeting with them through Handshake or email jm.career@msu.edu with questions on resumes, cover letters, internships, interviews and law/grad school applications. Spring Semester office hours are Mondays and Wednesdays, 2 to 4 p.m., and Thursdays from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m.
JMC Express Academic Advising
Need to meet with an academic advisor? JMC’s Advising Center in 328 South Case Hall is open daily for express drop-in advising:
Monday-Thursday: 12:30 to 4 p.m.
Friday: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Find more information, including whether you should use express advising or schedule an appointment, on JMC’s website.