JMC Connect: Weekly newsletter for Madison students
Welcome to JMC Connect, a new weekly newsletter for Madison students. It will arrive in your inbox every Monday morning during the academic year, along with monthly updates from JMC Student Senate. Have questions or a submission? Contact Jane Deacon (locket20@msu.edu).
In This Issue
Welcome message from Dean Cameron Thies
Upcoming campus events
RSO events and updates
Resources to help you navigate the start of the fall semester
Opportunities of interest to JMC students
One more thing: Interested in learning more about Student Senate? Cara Mack (IR ‘25) shares how students can get involved
Welcome Message from Dean Cameron Thies
Welcome to campus, both new and returning Madison students! As we begin the fall semester, we are excited you’re here and look forward to the energy and enthusiasm you bring to the JMC community.
Over the summer, faculty and staff have been hard at work, developing new support services and enhancing existing ones to ensure you have the resources you need to thrive. I’ve highlighted a few initiatives below and you can expect to hear more in the weeks ahead:
Wednesdays with Madison will be held in Case Hall every Wednesday night from 6 to 8 p.m. These weekly events will offer opportunities to connect with fellow students and JMC faculty and staff, gain academic and professional skills, and engage with topics related to diversity, equity and inclusion. Stop by the JMC Library on Aug. 28 for the first Board Game Night event.
Madison Academic Diversity Initiative (MADI) will provide students with academic resources and networking through mentorship from Madison faculty. MADI participants will develop professional connections with JMC faculty, attend monthly cohort meetings and complete a community service project. Students will receive information on how to apply to participate by email in September.
EMBRACE (Empathy, Mindfulness, Belonging, Respect, Advocacy, Conversation and Equity) is a new monthly dialogue led by the Office of Justice, Equity and Inclusion (OJEI). This series — open to all JMC students, faculty and staff — will help familiarize participants with principles of DEI and work to collaboratively define these concepts within the JMC community. The first EMBRACE event will be held on Sept. 11 at 6 p.m. in Club Spartan.
Led by the JMC Advising Team, the First-Year Mentoring Program will pair incoming students with upper-level peer mentors within the college. Mentors will connect new students to the college community, help cultivate a sense of belonging and provide information and academic resources on campus. The program is currently reviewing mentor applications and will share information for first-year students interested in being mentees by email in September. Learn more about FYMP >>
BRIDGE will support the celebration of cultural events and identity-based landmarks throughout the year, including but not limited to Hispanic Heritage Month, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Women's History Month and Mental Health Awareness Week. Students are encouraged to visit OJEI (S355 Case Hall) to suggest ideas or request assistance in celebrating these events.
Early Start 2024: The Early Start Program was thrilled to welcome 40 Madison students to campus last week. Early Start serves first-generation and other incoming students who may benefit from additional support as they transition to JMC and Michigan State. This year’s program included introductory classes with JMC faculty, tours of MSU and East Lansing, and a trip to the Michigan State Capitol and the Michigan Supreme Court. Learn more about Early Start >>
The upcoming semester will be challenging, but we're confident in our ability to meet these challenges head-on as a community. We look forward to supporting you throughout your academic journey and will regularly invite your feedback to ensure that our programs are meeting your needs. We invite you to lean on our supports, to challenge yourself and to make the most of the opportunities that come your way.
Cameron G. Thies
Dean and MSU Foundation Professor
Events
Wednesdays with Madison: Board Game Night
Begins Aug. 28, 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays with Madison is a new weekly event series for JMC students. These events will connect you with the college community; offer academic and professional skills; explore topics related to diversity, equity and inclusion; and provide something fun to do every Wednesday night during the academic year.
The first event in this year’s series is a Board Game Night. Stop by the JMC Library (Third Floor, South Case Hall) this Wednesday at 6 p.m. for pizza, friendly competition and an opportunities to connect with fellow students, faculty and staff. Learn more via JMC Events Calendar »
Writing Resumes and Cover Letters
Aug. 29, 1 to 2 p.m. Writing professional documents can feel overwhelming. Let Career Services Network help you share your professional story in this workshop focused on writing and formatting your resume and cover letter. Learn more via Career Services Network »
JMC Lunch Chat
Sept. 4, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Stop by the JMC Library (332 Case Hall) for a free lunch and conversation with staff, faculty and fellow JMC students! This event is for current JMC students only. Lunch will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Wednesdays with Madison: Learning Lab Night
Sept. 4, 6 to 8 p.m. Find out about the services of the JMC Writing Consultancy and JMC Math Center. Professor Melissa Fore and the student consultants will discuss how they can provide one-on-one assistance with reading, writing and math strategies. Learn more via JMC Events Calendar »
DEIB Discussion for First-Year JMC Students
Sept. 6, 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. First-year students are invited to join JMC’s Office of Justice, Equity & Inclusion to discuss diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging and how the college’s learning-living community interacts with these concepts. Register to attend via Eventbrite
2024 JMC Stratford Festival Trip: Twelfth Night
Sept. 29. Join James Madison College for a day trip to Stratford, Ont., to see Shakespeare's comedy "Twelfth Night". Due to international travel requirements, this trip is only open to U.S. residents. Learn more and register to attend by Sept. 23 via Eventbrite
Student Organizations
Join an RSO
Did you know MSU is home to over 1,000 Registered Student Organizations (RSOs)? Join an RSO to meet new friends, build community and get more engaged on campus. Explore MSU (and JMC!) RSOs via Involve@State »
MSU College Democrats
Sept. 3, 6 p.m. in Club Spartan (338 Case Hall). Attend the first meeting of the College Democrats at Michigan State University, featuring congressional candidate Curtis Hereto, State Rep. Julie Brixie and State Senator Sam Singh. Follow @msudems on Instagram »
Resources
JMC Academic Advising
The James Madison advising team is available for drop-in sessions from Aug. 26-29, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Drop-In Advising Center (328 South Case). Advisors will be available to discuss pressing issues related to fall semester schedules or other urgent matters.
Beginning Sept. 3, the Drop-In Advising Center is open weekly during the days and times listed below to address any advising needs:
Monday, 1 to 4 p.m.
Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Thursday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Friday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Visit JMC Advising online for more information about your advising options and how to schedule an appointment with your adviser.
JMC Community Counselor: Drop-In Counseling
James Madison has a dedicated counselor on staff, Courtney Brown, available for drop-in counseling on Mondays from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. (S363 Case Hall) beginning Sept. 2. Courtney is available for free, confidential conversations to discuss any mental health concerns you may be facing. Visit MSU CAPS for more information about on-campus mental health resources.
JMC Writing Center
Need help working through an assignment, essay or presentation? Stop by the JMC Writing Center (341 Case Hall) on weekdays (afternoons and evenings) throughout the academic year. These drop-in sessions offer peer-to-peer support from upperclassmen across JMC’s majors. Follow the JMC Writing Center on Instagram and learn more via the JMC Learning Lab website »
MSU Student Rights Support Resources
Knowing your student rights is vital for ensuring a safe campus experience for everyone. Visit MSU’s collection of online resources for more information related to campus conduct, discrimination, safety and crime, and relationship violence and sexual misconduct.
Technology Resources for Students
Have questions about accessing tech resources on campus? Check out Technology at MSU’s online resources.
Getting Your Spartan Card
Still need to get your Spartan Card? Find information for current and incoming students from the MSU ID Office.
SafeMSU App
The SafeMSU App provides access to valuable safety resources, including a virtual friend walk, one-touch emergency calls and access to Safe Ride. Download SafeMSU through the Apple Store and Google Play.
Opportunities
Public Citizen: Protect Democracy Internship
Public Citizen is seeking interns to educate and engage students in the upcoming U.S. presidential election. Interns can expect to work at least 8-10 hours weekly. Applications due: Aug. 28.Learn more via Public Citizen
Fall 2024 Career Fairs
MSU’s Career Services Network is hosting a Fall 2024 Career Fairs Series. Register for these fairs and other upcoming CSN events on Handshake:
Local Job and Internship Fair: Sept. 8
Agriculture and Food Industry Fair: Sept. 24
Construction Management Career Fair: Sept. 26
Each week, we offer the last word to a JMC student. This week’s One More Thing is from Cara Mack (IR ‘25 and JMC Student Senate President):
“James Madison College Student Senate offers an excellent opportunity for JMC students to engage more deeply within our community. We hold weekly meetings every Wednesday at 8 p.m., where we plan events and discuss various ways to enhance the learning and social environment for both students and staff.
Our Senate office (325 South Case Hall) provides valuable resources, including snacks, blue books, office supplies and even free books! We encourage you to stop by to say hello and take advantage of these resources.
To stay updated on our upcoming events and ways to join, follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn.”
Have a suggestion or submission for this newsletter? Contact Jane Deacon (locket20@msu.edu).