JMC Connect Newsletter: Week of March 24
Upcoming events and opportunities of interest to JMC students (week of March 24, 2025)
In This Issue
Upcoming JMC events
Student org events and updates
Upcoming scholarship and award competitions
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.
Today (March 24) is the deadline to apply for JMC’s Career Exposure Program to Chicago (May 4-10, 2025). 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. Contact Karissa Chabot-Purchase (kcp@msu.edu) with questions.
Events
EMBRACE Dialogue: Women’s History Month Faculty Round-Table
March 26, 6 to 7:30 p.m. in JMC Library (332 Case Hall). Join JMC Women of Color and OJEI for a Femme Professorship Round-Table in celebration of Women’s History Month. Profs. Sayed, Goett, Elemo-Kaka, Wolf, Rojo and Harrison will discuss their research, academic journeys and intersectional work through a feminist lens. RSVP and learn more via Eventbrite
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 to 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 moderated by Prof. Lorch. 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.
Engaging Learning, Community, and Activism Through Comics
March 28, 4 to 5:30 p.m. in Green Room of the Main MSU Library. A discussion with cartoonist/comics creator Nate Powell. The discussion will touch on his career in comics, how comics can be used in learning, community building/engagement, and activism, what is on the horizon for him creatively, and close out with a Q&A session with the audience. Learn more via MSU Libraries
Adam Smith’s Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Death of Nations
April 4, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. in Club Spartan (338 Case Hall). Join in for an insightful lecture by Ryan Patrick Hanley, Professor of Political Science at Boston College, as he delves into Adam Smith's exploration of the decline of nations. Drawing from his extensive expertise in Enlightenment philosophy, Hanley will offer a thought-provoking analysis of Smith's ideas on virtue, society and the fate of nations. RSVP and learn more via Eventbrite
Student Organizations
W.E.B. DuBois Society Second Annual Tea Party
March 26, 5 p.m. in the Alex Haley Room (330 Case Hall). The DuBois Society is hosting their second annual tea party this week. Learn more via Instagram
JMC Student Senate Clothing Swap
April 1, 4:30 to 7 p.m. in Club Spartan (338 Case Hall). Senate’s CCP Caucus will hold a JMC Clothing Swap. Donations can be made in the Senate Office until the end of the event. Those who drop off items will receive an early-bird ticket to the event and possibly win a free JMC tote bag. Learn more via 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. Tickets will be available soon. Learn more via Instagram
Scholarships & Awards
JMC Academic Affairs Scholarships
Applications are now open for 10 JMC Academic Affairs scholarships, including the Ron Dorr Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Writing and the Blaney Scholarship for Technology and International Affairs. Learn more and apply by March 28.
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.
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
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.
Guyer Public Policy Internship Award
Secured a Summer 2025 internship in public policy? Undergraduate students of any major are eligible to receive scholarships in the Guyer Public Policy Internship Program. Students must arrange to be employed in a public policy-related internship and enroll for MSU internship credit. Scholarships of at least $1,000 will be applicable towards students' tuition. Students receiving the scholarship are expected to participate in Guyer program activities including the mandatory orientation session taking place May 5 at 5:30 p.m. via Zoom. Learn more and apply by April 11 via Guyer Award Application Form
Opportunities
NATO Youth Summit Challenge
Ready to showcase your insights on global security and leadership? Sign up for the NATO Youth Summit Challenge and get a chance to attend the 2025 NATO Youth Summit in Budva, Montenegro. Submit your ideas on the future of security and leadership, and if selected, you’ll receive a fully covered invitation to attend the summit (April 25-26). The most compelling submissions will even have the opportunity to present their ideas on stage. Apply by March 31 via NATO Youth Summit Form
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
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.