In This Issue

• A message from Dean Cameron G. Thies

• Recent college news

• Giving Spotlight: JMC’s Early Start program

• Alumni volunteer updates

• JMC apparel is available in our Fall Pop-up Shop

• Alumni notes

Message from Dean Cameron G. Thies

Welcome to the Class of 2029: As we settle into the fall semester, our college is energized by the arrival of JMC’s Class of 2029. More than 80% of our incoming students are from Michigan, while 17% represent 19 other states and international communities. Nearly 15% are first-generation college students, and 10% are members of the Honors College. Their enthusiasm is evident throughout Case Hall — in classrooms, study lounges and student meetings — as they begin their Madison journey.

Navigating Financial Updates: Earlier this summer, MSU asked all units to implement a 9% budget reduction over the next two years. I’m pleased to report that we successfully implemented these changes while preserving all faculty and staff positions and maintaining the core elements of the Madison student experience.

These adjustments required some difficult decisions around programming and student services, but they also sparked remarkable creativity and innovation from our faculty and staff. When the Madison Leadership Program lost funding for its overseas component, faculty quickly developed a Michigan-based alternative for this year and are working to secure new funding for future cohorts. When budget constraints affected the JMC Writing Center, faculty partnered with MSU’s Writing Center to maintain services in Case Hall. These examples reflect the resilience and creative thinking that define the Madison community.

Michigan-Focused Impact: Looking ahead, we’re finding new ways to expand our impact. For the first time, JMC’s career services and field experience offices are offering two Career Exposure Programs this year: a fall program in Lansing and a spring program in Detroit. These Michigan-focused initiatives will keep costs low while providing students with valuable professional development opportunities close to home. Outreach and Recruitment Coordinator Jahshua Smith secured a Creating Inclusive Excellence Grant to expand our PRIME pre-college program beyond Ingham County to support high school students in Kent County and Metro Detroit.

The support of our alumni community remains essential as we navigate these changes and continue to provide transformative experiences for our students. Your ongoing partnership — whether through mentorship and volunteer opportunities or philanthropic support — helps ensure that JMC remains vibrant.

Thank you for your continued commitment to JMC and to the students who are following in your footsteps.

Cameron G. Thies

Dean and MSU Foundation Professor

Recent College News

Faculty Promotions: The start of the academic year coincided with new titles for two Madison professors. Congratulations to Prof. Susan Stein-Roggenbuck and Associate Prof. Brianne Wolf, who both achieved faculty promotions this year.

Course from JMC Alum: This semester, Madison students will learn about intelligence and national security from a Madison alumnus with nearly 30 years of experience in the field. Christopher D. Thuma (PTCD ‘91) is leading “Foreign Intelligence, the Law, and Changing Technology,” a one-credit course that explores the intelligence decision-making process at the intersection of law, technology and national security. Thuma is a national security attorney who has worked with the U.S. Intelligence Community (IC) throughout his career, including more than 10 years with the CIA.

Waltzer Teaching Awards: JMC professors Anna Pegler-Gordon and Jordan Cash have been selected as recipients of the Ken and Sandy Waltzer Teaching Excellence Awards, recognizing their outstanding contributions to undergraduate education and student development. The awards are named for JMC Professor Emeritus Ken Waltzer and his wife, Sandy, and were established to support teaching excellence in the college.

Teaching Excellence Award: Assistant Prof. Jordan Cash was also recognized in the Jack Miller Center’s 2025 Teaching Excellence Awards. These annual honors celebrate college and K-12 educators who excel in engaging students in the story of America through primary documents, new courses and extracurricular activities. Cash received this year’s Junior Scholar award.

Zinman Scholar in Residence: Dr. Ariel Helfer, associate professor of political science at Wayne State University, has been selected as the inaugural M. Richard Zinman Scholar in Residence, bringing his expertise in classical political philosophy to JMC for the 2025-26. The program is designed to honor Zinman’s transformative approach to undergraduate education and his commitment to studying the greatest texts produced by the greatest minds.
Helfer’s first scholar in residence lecture will be held in Case Hall on Feb. 18, 2026 (details forthcoming).

Mekong Exhibit: JMC Associate Prof. Amanda Flaim’s work in the Mekong River region, supported by a $1 million grant from the Henry Luce Foundation, inspired the "Mekong Voices: Transnational River Justice in Mainland Southeast Asia" at the Broad Art Museum. “Mekong Voices,” which runs until February 2026, “celebrates the necessary and innovative work of traditional craft and art in translating the river’s voices, both human and more-than-human, across national and linguistic boundaries.”

New Books: Associate Prof. Kirstin Brathwaite published her first book, “Symbols and Sacrifice in War,” this summer. It challenges conventional wisdom about military motivation, arguing that soldiers’ commitment to battle depends not just on training or unit bonds, but on whether the war’s goals align with their deepest beliefs about national identity.

JMC Dean Cameron Thies edited the “2025 Handbook of International Relations,” which provides an assessment of recent scholarship in the field.

2025 Homecoming Court: JMC Student Senate President Taylor Toth (PTCD & SRP ‘26) will represent MSU on the Homecoming Court this fall. Each year, 10 to 12 students are selected based on their qualities of leadership, spirit, integrity and achievement through their contributions and involvement at MSU. MSU’s Homecoming will take place Oct. 6-11.

We asked JMC’s Class of 2024 what they’ve been up to since graduation. Hear a few of their stories via YouTube:

Giving Spotlight: Early Start

Lily Isaac (PTCD ‘25) graduated from JMC in May and is now a student of MSU College of Law. She is also one of the first graduates of Early Start, JMC’s bridge program for first-generation college students. As part of this year’s program, Lily returned to Case Hall to speak with the newest cohort of Early Start students during the annual Welcome Luncheon.

Funded through the generous gift of Madison alumnus Troy Calkins (IR ‘88), Early Start helps acclimate first-generation students to life on campus, nurtures a sense of belonging, and equips participants with a variety of academic tools and resources. Since Fall 2022, Early Start has welcomed participating students to Case Hall a week before classes begin and offered programming that prepares them for success at JMC and beyond.

Interested in learning more about how you can support James Madison and invest in our future leaders. Contact Joseph Agosta at agostaj@msu.edu.

Call for Nominations: Alumni Awards

James Madison College's Alumni Association (JMCAA) Board of Directors is currently seeking nominations for its two annual awards that honor distinguished alumni and friends of the college. The Distinguished Alumni and Honorary Alumni awards celebrate individuals who have significantly contributed to the college. Nominations are due Dec. 15.

Connect with the JMC Alumni Association

Interested in connecting with the James Madison College Alumni Association and supporting alumni engagement initiatives? The Board of Directors invites JMC alums to share their information via Google Forms.

Alumni Volunteer Updates and Overview

Welcoming the Next Generation of Madisonians
This fall, every incoming JMC student received a letter from an alum welcoming them to the college and Case Hall. Thank you to all who helped extend a warm welcome to the Class of 2029.

At JMC’s Fall Colloquium, several alumni joined our first-year and transfer students for breakout sessions to help answer questions about what to expect over the next four years and beyond. Students told us that hearing from those who have walked the same halls was their favorite part of the day.

Later this month we are excited to kick off our Alumni-in-Residence Program. Alumni selected will be notified soon, and students will have the chance to connect with them about careers, JMC experiences and life after graduation.

Have an idea of how you can support current students? Contact JMC Alumni Coordinator Elizabeth Newman (enewman@msu.edu) with your ideas.

Fall Pop-Up Shop

Looking for some JMC apparel? The college’s Fall Pop-Up Shop is now open! Order online between now and Sept. 29 at 8 p.m. Garments will ship within two to three weeks of the close date.

Alumni Notes

Governor Gretchen Whitmer has appointed Hon. Chastity Youngblood (IR & SRP ‘06) to serve on Michigan’s 36th District Court. Youngblood has served as an assistant prosecuting attorney at the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office for over fifteen years.

Shanna Brimley-Anderson (IR ‘03) was named one of the 2025 Global Power Women in Data by Chief Data Officer Magazine. Brimley-Anderson is senior director of data insights at Fifth Third Bank.

Mitchell Rivard (SRP ‘11) was named Chief of Staff of the Year by the Congressional Management Foundation. These nonpartisan awards celebrate Members of Congress and staff who exemplify outstanding public service, operational excellence and innovative practices.

Maren Nicolaysen (IR ‘24) has received the 2025 Roback Scholarship from the National Academy of Public Administration. Nicolaysen is currently studying at George Washington University.

Lee Petro (IR ‘92) was named to Dickinson Wright’s 2026 Best Lawyers in America. Petro offers strategic counsel to clients within the communications industry.

Matt Apostle (SRP ‘22), who is a community and economic development specialist with the City of East Lansing, was recently featured in East Lansing Info.

Share great news about yourself or a fellow JMC alum.

Join the JMC Alumni LinkedIn group.

Donate to James Madison College.

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