Student Assistant Needed for Strategic Vision and Assessment! The Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) at James Madison University is seeking a motivated and analytical student to assist in developing promotion of DEIAB strategic initiatives aligned with the university's DEIAB goals and strategic vision. The Student Assistant will support the assessment modeling and enhancement of plans, focusing on key performance indicators (KPIs) to advance institutional priorities. 

• • Open until filled
  • More Information 
  • For questions, please contact Lisa Hess at VPDEI@JMU.EDU

Would you like to join the GSA for events and meetings? You can find events here, on our calendar of events and we also use GroupMe, to consult regularly with students in the group regarding activities. 

Take the lead and join the GSA Executive Team! The executive board is made up of the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Social Chair, and Program Representative Liaison. See a description of each role. Please reach out to gsa@dukes.edu for questions.

Lending Library - Items that Grads can borrow. Submit your ideas for the Lending Library. 

Grad Handbook - The GSA has developed a Guidebook for graduate students. This guidebook covers, getting started at JMU, transportation & parking, food, and places and spaces to become familiar with. It is a very helpful guide to campus and the community. 

Checkout the GSA webpage. 

JMU’s Seventh Annual Three Minute Thesis competition will be held Friday, January 24, 2025, beginning at 6 pm. If you are a student who will soon be completing a thesis, dissertation, or culminating research project and would like to have a great resume booster, consider competing in the Three Minute Thesis competition. More Information and Registration

What’s in it for you?

1. $750 for the first place winner and a sponsored trip to the regional event
2. $500 for second place winner and $250 for third place winner
3. The chance to share your research in a fun & lively format
4. The professional skills to make a high-impact presentation

Apply for the IDEA2 Public Policy Fellowship - A professional development opportunity in science policy from the American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS) and the Southeastern Universities Research Association (SURA). Applicant must be a current graduate (M.S. or Ph.D.) student or within two years of completing a graduate degree in the life sciences or a closely related field, who has a strong interest in science policy. A successful applicant will have good writing skills, the ability to synthesize information, and be a self-starter who works well with minimal supervision. Application deadline is 5:00 pm EST Friday, January 24, 2025. More Information

Join one of The Graduate School's Professional Development Workshops:

Weekly Graduate Writing Accountability Group - Every Friday from 9am-12pm in Holland Yates Hall Room 4010 or via zoom. Whether you are working on a thesis, dissertation, grant proposal, course paper, portfolio, or even just keeping up with emails, graduate school involves a lot of writing! The University Writing Center and the Graduate School are offering a new opportunity to support your writing through a Weekly Graduate Writing Group. This will be a dedicated space and time each week where you can meet up with other graduate students and get some of your writing done in community with others. Dr. Emily Bouza from the UWC will facilitate this group, including goal setting activities to help you use your time within and beyond the group well to complete the many daunting projects of graduate school. All graduate students welcome! Register here

Best Practices for Presenting a Poster to an Academic Audience - Thursday, February 6, 5-6:00 pm in Student Success Center Room 1075. This workshop will take an audience centered approach to constructing a poster presentation. It will focus on best practices related to sequencing information, font selection, color and stylistic presentation and the visualization of data. There will be an opportunity for feedback related to individual projects so come prepared to show or tell if you would like assistance. Register by February 3

The Imposter Phenomenon - Friday, February 21, 1-2:00 pm in Student Success Center Room 1075. If you’re a grad student who experiences fears that others will discover you don’t “really belong,” you’re not alone! The imposter phenomenon is a global experience and can impact people at all stages of their academic career. Through this workshop, we’ll examine and challenge the components of “imposter syndrome” and give you strategies to empower yourself to manage this challenging experience. Register by February 17

Overcoming Unconscious Bias - Friday, February 28, 1-2:00 pm in Student Success Center Room 1075. We are thrilled to welcome you to the upcoming Beginner Education Session with the Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. This session will take place on Thursday, November 14th, from 3:00 to 4:00 PM, and will be facilitated by Malika Carter-Hoyt and Art Dean from the Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. This is a unique opportunity to engage with our DEI leaders and your fellow learners as we explore key concepts and practices that foster inclusivity. We look forward to your participation and encourage you to come prepared to share your insights, ask questions, and contribute to our collective growth. Register by February 24

Communication and Crafting Connections for Grad Students - Friday, March 7th from 1-2pm in Student Success Center Room 1075. Discover strategies for effective networking. Learn how to identify and connect with individuals in your field, build meaningful relationships, and maintain those connections as you transition into your career. Explore the timing and techniques for reaching out to professionals and ensuring your efforts contribute to a beneficial connection. This interactive session will equip you with the skills and confidence to grow your career-oriented network and create lasting opportunities. Register by March 3

Pressing Pause: Cultivating Calm in Your Graduate Journey and Beyond - Friday, May 2, 1-2:00 pm in Warren Hall 419. This interactive workshop will begin with a brief discussion about common daily stressors and their impact on well-being. Participants will learn to recognize the tendency of the mind to drift from the present moment and explore techniques to help reconnect with the here and now. A few simple breathing techniques will be shared, along with an opportunity to participate in a guided meditation to promote relaxation and a quieter mind. By the end of the session, attendees will gain practical tools to manage stress, cultivate calm, and envision what a personal daily practice might look like in their graduate careers and lives. All are welcome. No experience necessary. Facilitator/Meditation Guide: Dr. Mark Gabriele. Register by April 28

If you wrangle research data, we know someone who could be a priceless resource throughout your graduate career. Meet Samantha Harmon (M'22) who joined the JMU Libraries team in April 2024. She is available to meet iwth you for a one-on-one data management consultation. She can also speak to JMU courses about data management and data literacy. If you would like to schedule an appointment, feel free to reach out. You can also read our Q&A with Samantha Harmon in this story from our Feature Friday series: Meet Your New Data Services Librarian.

Take a Researcher to Lunch! Choosing a research program and selecting a research adviser can be a daunting task. There are so many options! An easy way to learn more about this process is to sign up for the Take a Researcher to Lunch program. Applications are open until June 15, 2025 or until the vouchers have been used up. Vouchers must be used by June 30, 2025. This program is open to JMU graduate students only. More Information and Application Form

Interested in watching the bowl game on December 18, but can't be at the game in person? We've got you covered. Find a watch party location near you! Although most watch party locations allow day-of walk up attendees, register in advance for a chance to win swag! We will be giving away several prizes! Register Here

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See the new Graduate Student event calendar page! for more event you may be interested in.

Are you interested in finding external grant funding for your research? A good place to start is the SPIN database, which has over 40,000 grant opportunities.  It is provided free of charge to all members of the JMU community by REDI. By signing up for an account, you can also save your searches, set filters, and set up automatic email notification. Access the SPIN database, set up an account, and see a tips and tricks video.

The Office of Research Development provides a variety of services for JMU researchers applying for external grants, including developing checklists and timelines to keep grant applications on track. You can request personalized service through our service form. 

Wherever you are in your external funding journey, you are welcome to join us at the Madison Research Club, which meets on the 2nd Thursday of the month from 11:30 am-1:00 pm. Please register to attend. 

Looking for a Graduate Assistantship or a Campus Job? Depending on your full-or part-time status and program of study, graduate students may be eligible to apply for graduate assistantships, student positions, and staff/wage positions. Search JMU Jobs

Scholarships can be found on The Graduate School website.

No parking permit? No problem! If you need to pick up or drop off library items without a parking permit, you can use the 15-minute parking spots at JMU Libraries Express!

Do you know that as a student, you can borrow a laptop from JMU Libraries temporarily if needed, while you are getting a computer repaired or replaced? Laptops are available for checkout in Rose Library.

• Who can use the laptops? JMU students, faculty, or staff can borrow a laptop for up to one month to support academic functions. These laptops are available on a first-come, first-served basis. 
• To request a laptop, please fill out this Equipment Reservation Request form or visit our Learning Innovations & Technology Desk in Rose Library. Walk-ins or prior reservations are welcome.
• 24/7 Computer lab access: JMU also offers three 24/7 study spaces with computers and printers, including one in Rose Library.
• Questions? Please contact us at equipmentloans@jmu.edu. Looking for Something Fun to Read? Check out best-sellers, award winners, graphic novels, and more in the Fun Reads and Movies Guide from JMU Libraries.

Read Magazines for Free with Flipster! Explore 65 magazines online with Flipster—no subscriptions, physical copies, or recycling needed! Read entire magazines cover to cover, including images, ads, comics, and even crosswords. You can flip through, search for something specific, or even share content with others!

JMU X-Labs Open Lab! The Lab is an innovative space that ignites creativity. JMU students, faculty and staff are all empowered to bring their ideas to life in this design-thinking studio. Our collaborative atmosphere also allows for consulting and prototyping assistance, making it the perfect breeding ground for entrepreneurial endeavors. We’re ready to give you the support you need to make your ideas a reality. Unleash your potential at The Lab!

Keep abreast of Research Development Opportunities by subscribing to the JMU Research Development notice board. 

Places to study while Carrier Library is closed. While Carrier Library is closed for renovation and expansion, you still have four library locations to use, and dozens of buildings with study space all over campus! Check out this list of the top 15 places to study or work in JMU Libraries. There’s also a new JMU study spaces map that includes a wide range of buildings! Just select a pin to start reading about study spaces in each building.

Free access to New York Times and more. Did you know you have access to the New York Times and Wall Street Journal for free through JMU Libraries subscriptions? See our full list of news-related databases or learn more about Libraries services for grad students.

Join the Graduate Student Association (GSA). All JMU graduate students are considered members of the GSA. The GSA promotes interdisciplinary unity among JMU graduate students through social events, career-building workshops and professional
development grants. For questions email gsa@jmu.edu.

University Career Liaison. The University Career Center's Graduate School liaison Alyssa Hawley is a great resource to assist you with resume review and career preparation. Check out University Career Services for Graduate Students or contact Alyssa for more information.

Campus and Community Student Resources. Campus and community resources available to
support students’ basic needs can be found at the Student Support Hub, a website that will connect you
to food, financial assistance, housing and other resources. These resources will help you thrive at JMU.

Read the Chronical of Higher Education for Free! Looking for a source for higher education news, trends and job openings? You can read The Chronicle of Higher Education for free through JMU Libraries subscriptions! 

Military-Connected Students. JMU VALOR provides all military-connected students with
resources for success. More information

Need Food or Hygiene Items? Check out The Pantry in Taylor Down Under (The Union), room 112.
Shop in-person or place orders through The Pantry app, available in the Apple and Android stores. Use
the app to select the curbside pickup option or rapid pickup in The Pantry. The Pantry is open Mon 12-6
pm and Tues-Thurs 12-5 pm. Available to all students, no questions asked!

Mental Health Resources. The JMU Counseling Center is available to all students and they have
made available TimelyCare, 24/7 access to mental health professionals. More Information