First-Gen Champions at JMU

The First-Gen Champions list connects first-generation students with faculty and staff who are passionate about offering mentorship, guidance, and support. These individuals, who are themselves first-gen, are dedicated to helping students navigate their academic journey, offering valuable insights from a variety of experiences, both at JMU and beyond.

First Name	Last Name	Position	Department	Work Phone	Email
Corinne	Diop	Graduate Director of Art, Photography Area Head, Coordinator of Art Minor, and Professor of Art	School of Art, Design, and Art History	540-568-6485	diopcj@jmu.edu
Shannon	Mercer	Academic Advisor	Advising and Support Center, College of Business	540-568-8782	taubesm@jmu.edu
Kristi	Lewis	Professor	Department of Health Sciences	540-568-2607	lewiskl@jmu.edu
Sarunas	Jankauskas	Associate Professor	School of Music	540-568-3847	jankausx@jmu.edu
Kimberly	Stewart	Academic Advisor, Geography, and IA	College of Integrated Science & Engineering	540-568-6199	stewa3ka@jmu.edu
Amber	Loyacano	Academic Advisor	College of Education	540-568-5334	loyacaae@jmu.edu
Melissa	Svigelj	Assistant Professor	Department of Justice Studies		svigelmm@jmu.edu
Paul	Henriksen	Advisor and Senior Lecturer, ISAT	College of Integrated Science & Engineering	540-568-2755	henrikpw@jmu.edu
Annette	Fornadel	Academic Advisor	College of Education	540-568-2915	forna2am@jmu.edu
Michelle	Duncan	Director and Academic Advisor	Advising and Support Center, College of Business	540-568-3078	duncanml@jmu.edu
Shae	Powell	Academic Advisor	College of Integrated Science & Engineering	540-568-8988	powel3sd@jmu.edu
Monica	Reis-Bergan	Professor, Assistant Department Head	Department of Psychology	540-568-4365	reisbemj@jmu.edu
Kelly	Schuhmann	Advisor for Pre-PT and Pre-OT	Pre-Professional Health Advising	540-568-4275	schuhmkf@jmu.edu
Daisy	Breneman	Academic Advisor	Department of Justice Studies	540-568-4247	brenemdl@jmu.edu
Debbie	Mohler	Professor and First-Year Advisor	Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry	540-568-8803	mohlerdl@jmu.edu
T.J.	Hynd	Senior Lecturer	Biology Department	540-568-8911	hyndte@jmu.edu
Simon	Funge	Associate Professor and Academic Unit Head	Department of Social Work	540-568-3431	fungesp@jmu.edu
Benjamin	Blankenship	Assistant Professor	Department of Psychology	540-568-4915	blankebt@jmu.edu
Steven	Woodruff	Assistant Professor	College of Integrated Science & Engineering	540-568-5642	woodrusr@jmu.edu
Kimberly	DuVall	Senior Lecturer & Academic Advisor for Declared Psychology Majors	Department of Psychology	540-568-4914	duvallkd@jmu.edu
Virginia	Trovato	Academic Advisor, Adult Degree Program	Adult Degree Program	540-568-4222	trovatvp@jmu.edu
Karen	deBrun	Academic Advisor	Advising and Support Center, College of Business	540-568-8781	debrunkm@jmu.edu
Jaime	Kurtz	Professor	Department of Psychology	540-568-4966	kurtzjl@jmu.edu
Ruairi	Walsh	Lecturer, Department of Management	College of Business	540-568-3256	walshrr@jmu.edu
Claire	Lyons	Professor	Department of Psychology	540-568-7660	lyonscw@jmu.edu
Canessa	Collins	Lecturer of Marketing and Marketing Internship Coordinator	College of Business	540-564-8789	collincn@jmu.edu

First-Generation Student Success

Student Success Center
MSC 1025
738 South Mason Street
Room 2170
Harrisonburg, Virginia 22807

Email Us

Reddix Center Hours:
Sun: 12pm-8pm
Mon-Thurs: 8am-9pm
Fri: 8am-5pm
Sat: Closed

Summer Hours:
Mon-Thurs: 8am-5pm
Fri: 8am-12pm