In This Issue

• Upcoming events of interest to JMC students

• Student org events

• Helpful resources in Case Hall

• Scholarships and awards

• Madisonian Mention: JMC seniors Caroline Beckrow and Taylor Toth are part of MSU’s Homecoming Court

Events

Info Session: Global Development in South Asia 
Oct. 6, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. in the JMC Library (332 Case Hall). Students are invited to learn about the Global Development in South Asia: Policy and Practice education abroad program. While visiting India and Sri Lanka in Summer 2026, students will learn about South Asian cultures, history, politics, and urban and rural development. Participants will get hands-on experience and field research. Learn more via JMC.

Inside Admissions with Georgetown’s School of Foreign Service 
Oct. 7, 2 to 3 p.m. in 334a Case Hall. The Director of Admissions for Georgetown’s School of Foreign Service will be in Case Hall to talk about their 11 different graduate programs, application tips and tricks, and scholarship opportunities. Register to attend via Handshake.
Note: This event can be counted as one of the three required events to earn the JMC Career Readiness Badge.

JMC Skills Seminar: Using LinkedIn to Build Professional Relationships 
Oct. 7, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. in 329 South Case Hall. Learn to articulate the value of maintaining a professional online presence to support career exploration, strategies to find relevant connections, how to perform searches relevant to your interest and goals, and more. Register to attend via Handshake.
Note: This event can be counted as one of the three required events to earn the JMC Career Readiness Badge.

Q & A with Dean Thies and Lindsay Snyder 
Oct. 8, 12 to 12:30 p.m. in 332 Case Hall. Join Dean Cameron Thies and Lindsay Snyder, assistant director of undergraduate affairs, for a Q&A session on academic advising and the undergraduate experience at JMC. Questions can be submitted via Qualtrics or you can connect with Dean Thies and Lindsay at the event. Cookies and coffee provided.

Inside Admissions with George Washington and Vanderbilt Law Schools 
Oct. 9, 12 to 1 p.m. in Room 10 (Essex Room) Wilson Hall. Deans from George Washington Law and Vanderbilt Law who are coming to campus to recruit Madisonians and answer questions on law school exploration and applications. Register to attend via Handshake.
Note: This event can be counted as one of the three required events to earn the JMC Career Readiness Badge.

Conversations on Antisemitism and Islamophobia 
Oct. 9, 5 to 8 p.m. location TBA. Professors Yael Aronoff, Mohammad Khalil and Morgan Shipley will present on the history and current manifestation of antisemitism and islamophobia. Ralph Johnson of the Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion will facilitate a group discussion. Students will have an opportunity to ask questions and share their observations. Student participation may be used as an Honors option; please check with faculty. Complimentary dinner provided. Register to attend via Google Forms 

Gupta Ethics Lecture featuring Robert Bilott 
Oct. 9, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the Kellogg Center Auditorium. Robert Bilott is a prominent environmental attorney, author and lecturer, and inspiration for the 2019 major motion picture, Dark Waters. Bilott exposed decades of chemical pollution by multinational chemical company DuPont de Nemours, Inc. in a legal battle that spanned 20 years. Register to attend by Oct. 6 via MSU

Mental Health as Human Right and the Role of Collective Support 
Oct. 9, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the MSU Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB) Auditorium. This free public event explores how belonging and connection can serve as foundations for recovery and prevention. Community organizations will share resources, followed by a keynote lecture from Dr. Vikram Patel of Harvard Medical School, a leading expert on rights-based, community-driven approaches to mental health. Learn more and register to attend via NAMI Lansing Website 

Student Org Events

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: Caroline Beckrow and Taylor Toth

Each week, we highlight a JMC student. This week’s mention goes to the two JMC students on the 2025 Homecoming Court!

Caroline Beckrow is a senior studying Social Relations and Policy in JMC and Human Biology in Lyman Briggs College.

Taylor Toth is a senior majoring in Social Relations and Policy and Political Theory and Constitutional Democracy with minors in Business, History, and European Studies.

More from: Caroline Beckrow

“Hi everyone! It is such a joy and honor to have been chosen for this year's Homecoming Court. I enjoy staying involved on campus through my tight-knit classes in JMC, Lyman Briggs and the Honors College. I love the supportive and kind-hearted nature of our living-learning communities. Outside of class, you'll find me on Munn field rehearsing with the Spartan Marching Band, where I serve as band Vice President and Color Guard Section Leader, or serving the MSU bands through the music service sorority, Tau Beta Sigma. I aim to pursue a career in medicine and public health, and I am involved in the Osteopathic Medical Scholars program on campus too. I look forward to representing these organizations throughout homecoming week and interacting with our community members. If you are interested in serving on Homecoming Court in future years and meeting some incredible like-minded peers, I highly encourage you to put yourself out there and apply! Go Green!“

More from: Taylor Toth

“I’m honored to represent MSU and JMC on this year’s Homecoming Court! Outside of my JMC classes, I’m involved in several student organizations around campus. I was elected to represent JMC students as the President of JMC Student Senate. I’m also the Internal President of MSU’s Chapter of Empowering Women in Law (EWIL) and the Vice President of EWIL’s National Chapter. I’m also a member of MSU’s Pre-law Society, the Honor’s College Dean’s Advisory Council and MSU Scuba Club! After graduation, I’m planning on attending law school and pursuing a career in the legal field. I applied for MSU Homecoming Court to inspire others to get involved and to engage with their communities. All engagement — whether involvement in student orgs, volunteering or attending college events — helps build a stronger, more connected community. As our JMC readings have taught us, active participation in our society is essential for protecting democracy. Follow @jmcsenate and @jmcmsu to learn about opportunities to get involved in JMC!”

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