JMC Connect Newsletter: Week of March 17
Opportunities and events of interest to JMC students, week of March 17, 2025
In This Issue
Upcoming JMC events
Opportunities, including scholarships for JMC students
Resources to help you navigate life on campus, including the JMC Writing Center
Apply for JMC’s Career Exposure Program to Chicago by March 24
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
Malcolm & Ann Kerr Muslim Studies Community Lecture
March 17, 4 p.m. in 303 International Center and online. This event will feature Ghassan Hage, Future Generation Professor of Anthropology, University of Melbourne. He will discuss “Colonial Moralscapes: The Production of Humiliation and the Struggle for Dignity.” Learn more via JMC Events
Demystifying Trump Trade Policy
March 18, 4:30 p.m. in Club Spartan (338 Case Hall). The 2025 Hans Sennholz Lecture will feature Douglas A. Irwin, John French Professor of Economics at Dartmouth College. He is the author of Clashing over Commerce: A History of U.S. Trade Policy, which was selected as one of their best books of the year by Economist and Foreign Affairs. Learn more via JMC Events
Student Panel: Undergraduate Research at JMC
March 18, 5 p.m. online via Zoom. Interested in undergraduate research opportunities for James Madison College? This session will feature a panel of four JMC students who have participated in a variety of research opportunities.
Student panelists include:
Izzy Radakovich, Senior Honors Thesis
Carson Perz, Research Showcase
Jada Lashuay, Madison Academic Research Tutorial (MART)
Prayag Shankar, Independent Study
Register to attend via Zoom
Jewish Studies Minor Reception
March 19, 5:15 p.m. in Club Spartan (338 Case Hall). Jewish Studies minors and prospective minors are invited to this reception. Learn about the wide range of scholarships available for Hebrew, study/intern abroad and course tuition. Among the discussions of scholarships and courses, there will be a Faculty Bake-Off.
Ask Us Anything: Graduate and Law School
March 19, 6 p.m. in JMC Library (332 Case Hall). Considering a graduate or law school program? Wondering how you can prepare now and be a competitive candidate later on? JMC’s Career Advisor, Karissa Chabot-Purchase, and Field Experience Coordinator, Dr. Lauren Michalak, will be hosting a casual “Ask us Anything” session drawing from their years of experience. Register to attend via Handshake
JMC Lunch Chat
March 20, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in JMC Library (332 Case Hall). Stop by the JMC Library for a free lunch from Marco’s Pizza and enjoy conversations with staff, faculty and fellow JMC students. This event is for current JMC students only. Learn more via JMC Events
Putin's Veiled Threats of Nuclear Weapons Use
March 20, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at 1300 FRIB Laboratory, 640 South Shaw Lane. Join Peter Clement, senior research scholar at Columbia University, for a discussion on Russian President Vladimir Putin's nuclear rhetoric since the outbreak of the Russian-Ukrainian war. Learn more via JMC Events
Data Made Flesh: How Digital Technology is Refashioning Human Nature
March 27, 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. in Club Spartan (338 Case Hall). Antón Barba-Kay, Distinguished Fellow at the Center on Privacy and Technology at Georgetown Law, will explore how digital technology is reshaping our understanding of human nature. He will also address the impact of AI and emerging technologies, furthering questions about what it means to be human in the digital age. Learn more via JMC Events
"Under the Skin”: A conversation with Linda Villarosa
March 28. Award-winning journalist and author Linda Villarosa will visit JMC discuss her book, Under the Skin: The Hidden Toll of Racism on Health in America, a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize and one of the New York Times' top books of 2022.
At 10 a.m. in the JMC Library, students are invited to attend a special small-group discussion with Linda Villarosa. Register to attend via Google Forms
At 10:45 a.m., you’re invited to attend a conversation and Q&A with Villarosa over brunch in Club Spartan. Register to attend via Eventbrite
All are welcome to attend this free events exploring issues of racial health disparities in America.
Opportunities
Curtis Stokes Endowment For Black Radical Thought
This award is open to students enrolled in JMC with a preference for students pursuing a degree/coursework in the Department of African American and African Studies. The selected recipient will receive a $500 stipend. Apply by submitting a nomination letter from a faculty member, staff or student, or submit a self-nomination (1 page or less) to Dean Brian Johnson (john3582@msu.edu) by April 1 at 11:59 p.m.
Herbert Garfinkel Award
This $1,000 award is presented annually to a JMC graduating senior who has exemplified the integration of voluntary community service to their program of study in public affairs. Submit nominations to Dean Brian Johnson (john3582@msu.edu) marked as Herbert Garfinkel Award JMC Office of Justice, Equity, & Inclusion. Apply by April 1 at 11:59 p.m. Find more information on the JMC website.
Career Services Internship Opportunity Award
The MSU Career Services Internship Opportunity Award program is now accepting applications. Any undergraduate student who is actively pursuing, or has secured, an unpaid summer internship is welcome to apply. While preference will be given based on financial need and other considerations, internship locations anywhere in the U.S. are eligible. Apply by April 6. Contact Carol Stier (stierc@msu.edu) with questions.
Native American Institute Scholarships
Applications are now open for the following Native American Institute Scholarships:
John R. Winchester Scholarship: Open to full-time Native American undergraduate students enrolled at MSU, who have earned and maintained a 2.0 or better GPA (not currently on academic probation), who have been active participants in the North American Indigenous Student Association (NAISO). Apply by April 4 via Google Forms
Emma Shore-Thornton Scholarship: Applicants must be full-time Native American MSU undergraduate or graduate students who have maintained at least a 3.0 or better GPA. Preference given to graduating seniors or graduate students. Apply by April 4 via Google Forms
ASMSU General Assembly
Interested in representing JMC and advocating for students? The General Assembly of the Associated Students of Michigan State University (ASMSU) is the legislative body representing undergraduate students by introducing debates and votes on issues. Election packets for Spring elections are now open! Candidates must submit a brief bio and gather the required number of signatures by March 17 at 4:30 p.m. Access the election packet to apply and learn more via 2025 Spring GA Election Form
Undergraduate Research Workshops
Thinking about participating in undergraduate research at MSU? Consider attending these upcoming workshops to discover various forms of research and gain a comprehensive understanding of undergraduate research:
Presenting at UURAF, March 25, 7 p.m.
Research to Resume, April 1, 7 p.m.
Learn more and register via Undergraduate Research Events
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 Community Counselor: Drop-In Counseling
CAPS Connect will be back in Case Hall every Monday (1:30 to 3:30 p.m.) this semester! CAPS Connect provides a place to talk about what's on your mind during a brief, free, confidential conversation with a CAPS counselor. It is a great way to receive one-time support and expert suggestions, or get to know CAPS staff and the services available to you. To sign up and see all location/scheduling options, click here.
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.
JMC Career Exposure Program
Applications are now open for JMC’s Career Exposure Program to Chicago (May 4-10, 2025). This year, students will meet with at least 14 different alumni in their places of work, attend an alumni mixer and participate in a variety of cultural/group activities. A “Careers in Law” panel will feature practicing lawyers and current law school students. The program fee (approx. $875) will cover lodging with breakfast, transportation and some group activities. All student levels (from first year to those who graduate in May) are welcome. Apply via Qualtrics by March 24. Contact Karissa Chabot-Purchase (kcp@msu.edu) with questions.