In This Issue

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

• Upcoming events

• Updates from student orgs

• Scholarships and awards

• Upcoming research-related opportunities

• Helpful resources in Case Hall

• Madisonian Mention: Nia Thomas

Editor’s Note: Last Monday, we incorrectly printed Nia Thomas’s Madisonian Mention. See the correct version in today’s newsletter.

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

Learn more about JMC’s majors and minors on our website.

Events

Spartans for Justice: College of Law Alumni Shaping the Future of Law and Policy 
Oct. 24, 2 to 3 p.m., MSU College of Law (648 North Shaw Lane). Join MSU College of Law for a discussion featuring two distinguished Spartan alumni who have built impactful careers at the intersection of law, justice and global leadership. Register to attend via Eventbrite.

Leonard Gilman Lecture on Jewish Culture
Oct. 27, 5:45 to 7:15 p.m., Multicultural Center Room 1020. “Dear Editor: Advice Columns and the American Yiddish Press,” presented by Ayelet Brinn, assistant professor of Judaic Studies and History at the University of Hartford. Learn more via JMC Events.

Leaving Legacies: A History of Individualism Outside the West
Oct. 28, 4 p.m., 303 International Center. "Leaving Legacies: A History of Individualism Outside the West," a talk on the history of individualism in pre-modern South Asia by Dr. Shayan Rajani, MSU assistant professor of history. Learn more via JMC Events.

Info Session: Global Development in South Asia Education Abroad 
Oct. 28, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. via Zoom. Students are invited to learn about the Global Development in South Asia: Policy and Practice education abroad program. Visiting India and Sri Lanka, students will learn about South Asian cultures, history, and urban and rural development. Join the session via Zoom Link (Passcode: Bengal).

PeaceWorks
Oct. 29, 5:30 to 7 p.m., JMC Library (332 Case Hall). Join PeaceWorks on Campus for a powerful conversation with Israeli and Palestinian peacebuilders who are challenging the status quo and working toward a better future. Learn more via JMC Events.

Student Organizations

W.E.B. DuBois Society: Watch Party
0ct. 22, 6 to 9 p.m. in the Alex Haley Room. DuBois is hosting a watch party of Eve’s Bayou. Learn more via Instagram.

MSU International Business Student Organization: Global Business and Law Insights 
Oct. 28, 6:40 to 8 p.m. in Business College Complex N125. Join MSU alum and Baker McKenzie partner Ashok Lalwani for a guided Q&A session on international business and law. Attire is business casual. Food will be provided. RSVP via Involve@State.

JMC Student Senate: Lawyer Panel
Oct. 28, 6 to 7 p.m. in Club Spartan. Want to ask lawyers about their experiences in law school and practicing law? Join the PTCD Caucus for this panel with JMC alums. Learn more via Instagram.

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.

Scholarships & Awards

Claffey Meyer Travel Grant 
Financial support for domestic students who plan to travel to developing countries to provide technical assistance, conduct research or engage in service projects. Funding may be used for travel, living expenses and project costs. Award amounts vary, with a minimum award of $2,000. ​Applications due Oct. 20. Learn more via international Studies & Programs.

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

Connect with JMC’s Career Peer  
Do you need help with resumes, cover letters, personal statements or interview preparation? Connect with JMC’s Career Peer! Stop by office hours Mondays and Wednesdays from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. or schedule an appointment with JMC’s Career Peer on Handshake. JMC Career Peers can also review materials that are sent to jm.career@msu.edu.

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 Team offers in-person express appointments:

• 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 is open Monday-Thursday evenings from 6 to 9 p.m. Learn more on JMC’s website.

Opportunities

Academic Success Workshops 
Get back on track and learn about academic success resources to reach your goals. Fall 2025 Academic Success workshops are live, and scheduling is ongoing. Join in on various presented topics such as time management, study skills and learning techniques, and orienting success. Learn about these different workshops and register to attend via Undergrad Learning Experiences. Upcoming sessions include:

• Get Over Procrastination, Oct. 24, 11 a.m.

• Prioritize Like a Pro, Oct. 30, 5 p.m.

Research Assistantship Opportunity 
Are you interested in gaining research experience and the possibility of a paid future research assistantship? If so, you may want to check out the University’s Pathway to Research (PTR) program. While the fall PTR is closed, there will be another opportunity to apply and join a cohort in the spring and again in the summer. Find more information via MSU Undergraduate Research.

HEAL Conference: Call for Abstracts 
Are you looking to present your research? The Research Committee of the Healthcare Education Advocacy and Leadership (HEAL) Sexual Health Conference Planning Committee is sending out a call for abstracts for the poster session of the conference. The one-hour poster session will take place at the Michigan State University Union Ballroom on March 28, 2026. The HEAL Sexual Health Conference aims to bring awareness to and encourage sexual health scientific research along with community engagement and discussion. Submit your submission by March 1, 2026. Submission should be submitted via the Submission Form. 

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, student engagement and community organizing! During my freshman year, I served as a intern at Michigan’s Capital under Sarah Anthony. And last year I served as a MAGIC Peer Assistant under OMEA. 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).