In This Issue

• Save the Dates: Meet the Majors events for first-year students

• Student organizations

• Helpful resources in Case Hall

• Scholarships and awards

• Madisonian Mention: Nia Thomas, second-year SRP student and planning committee chair with the W.E.B. DuBois Society (which has just launched a new podcast)

Save the Dates: Meet the Majors

Attention first-year JMC students: This year’s Meet the Majors events are coming up in November. These sessions are designed to help you choose your major(s) for your sophomore year.

ALL meetings will be held in Room 339 Case Hall from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on the dates listed below:

• International Relations: Nov. 6

• Minors: Nov. 10

• SRP: Nov. 11

• CCP: Nov. 17

• PTCD: Nov. 18

Student Organizations

Area Studies Collective
Join a new organization focused on global studies! Members can copyedit research for global audiences, publish their own work, and participate in discussions with policy and academic professionals. Fill out the interest form via Google Forms.

United Madison Multicultural Association (UMMA)
UMMA is hosting a “Meet the Organization” event on Oct. 13 from 7 to 9 p.m. in 339 Case Hall. Come out, bring a friend and de-stress for midterms. Learn more via Instagram.

JMC Student Senate: Pumpkin Painting & Policy
Oct. 14, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in 335A Case Hall. Join your fellow Madisonians for an evening of pumpkin painting. Learn more via Instagram.

JMC Student Senate: Faculty Research Night
Oct. 15, 6 to 8 p.m. in Club Spartan. JMC professors Florencia Rojo and Orlando Hawkins will share more about their research. Pizza provided. Learn more via Instagram.

Scholarships & Awards

CLACS Portuguese Scholarship and FLAS Applications 
Applications for scholarships from the Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies Portuguese Scholarship and Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) are open for Spring 2026.  

• Portuguese Scholarship: Awards range from $500 to $1,000 to study MSU's beginning Portuguese courses, PRT 150 or PRT 250. Apply by Nov. 15 via MSU CLACS

• Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowship for Spring 2026. Awarded to students who study priority Less Commonly Taught Languages of Latin America and the Caribbean. Apply by Nov. 1 via MSU CLACS

Case Hall Resources

Office Hours with Assoc. Dean Linda Racioppi
JMC students are invited to attend Associate Dean Linda Racioppi’s weekly office hours on Wednesdays from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. in S359 Case Hall. These weekly sessions are an opportunity for you to discuss your academic journey with college leadership. Potential topics of discussion might include:

• How to connect with faculty who share your research interests

• Student-led events and initiatives you’d like to share with the college

• How to connect with opportunities in and beyond the classroom

• Questions or concerns for college leadership

These drop-in office hours are open to all Madison students.

CAPS Connect in Case Hall
JMC has a dedicated counselor on staff, Courtney Brown, available for drop-in counseling on Mondays from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. in S363 Case Hall. Courtney is available for free, confidential conversations to discuss any mental health concerns you may be facing. Visit MSU Caps Connect for more information.

Express Academic Advising (In Person & Virtual)
JMC’s Academic Advising Teams offers in-person express appointments from Monday to Thursday, 1 to 4 p.m. in 328 South Case Hall. Assistant Dean Jeff Judge is also available in the Express Advising Center on Tuesday evenings from 6 to 8 p.m. On Fridays, virtual express appointments are available from 1 to 4 p.m. Learn more about academic advising (including when you should use the Express Advising Center and when you should schedule an appointment) on JMC’s website.

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. Learn more on JMC’s website.

Find more information about MSU resources available to JMC students — including info on academic accommodations, mental health support and the MSU Food Bank — on JMC’s website.

Madisonian Mention: Nia Thomas

Each week, we highlight a JMC student. This week’s mention is Nia Thomas.

“My name is Nia Thomas, and I’m honored to be part of the James Madison College community. I serve as a Planning Chair for W.E.B Dubois Society in JMC. Beyond JMC, I enjoy being involved in the AAAS department, photography and community organizing! During my freshman year, I served as an intern at Michigan’s Capitol under Sarah Anthony. My passions align with civil rights, youth empowerment and uplifting communities.”

More from Nia

Favorite artist: Solange & Luckii

Favorite snack: Hershey Almond bars

Favorite combo: Starbucks Venti Matcha + Brown sugar 

Favorite study spot: MCC!! 

Favorite TV show or movie: Girl 6

This semester, the W.E.B. DuBois Society has launched the DuBois Dialogues podcast. Check out their first episode on Spotify, RSS.com, Amazon or Apple Podcasts.

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