Congratulations to the 2025 Graduate Showcase Award Winners. 

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.

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. 

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

• Win a JMU Graduate School T-shirt! At the end of the semester, we will have a random drawing to select two lucky winners of The Graduate School T-shirt. You will earn an entry into the drawing for every workshop you attend. In other words, the more workshops you attend, the better your chances!
• Attend Over Zoom! We will now be offering a virtual option at workshops for students that are unable to attend in person. Although we are still in the process of coordinating with presenters, we hope to make most events available via zoom.

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

Take Advantage of one of Libraries' resources:

• Workshop: Demystifying Data - Foundations of Data Literacy: This introductory workshop on April 17, 1-2:15pm will explore the core concepts of data literacy, guiding you through the process of understanding, evaluating, and effectively using data. Real-world examples will illustrate how effective data organization and ethical considerations are essential to making informed decisions and how to tell compelling stories with data.
• Read The Chronicle of Higher Education for Free: Did you know that the Libraries provides JMU with unlimited access to The Chronicle of Higher Education online? The Chronicle covers academia in the U.S. and publishes online content every weekday. JMU's subscription provides unlimited access to The Chronicle’s online content, daily news, and data.
• Research Guides: These subject-specific online guides were created by your liaison librarians to help you find relevant resources related to specific topics or even courses! Watch this brief tutorial video to learn more.
• Do You Speak Multiple Languages?: JMU Libraries is happy to offer books, videos, and other resources in a variety of languages. We’re also provide a Library Search tool that can be used in 20 different languages to access all our materials. Learn more.
• Workshops on Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop: Interested in improving your graphics skills? Join an interactive, in-person workshop in The Makery in Rose Library on the basics of using Photoshop (April 7) and Adobe Illustrator (May 5). Want self-paced training on Adobe software? Check out JMU's subscription to LinkedIn Learning. Need access to these Adobe programs? Adobe software is available on these computers at JMU.

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

April is National Arab American Heritage Month, and JMU celebrates Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) Heritage Month in April, too! Join us in celebrating and learning more about the rich heritage and contributions of these communities with resources compiled by JMU Libraries: Celebrating Arab American Heritage Month and Celebrating APIDA Heritage Month!

Come to the Demystifying Data workshop in Rose Library on Thursday, April 17, 1-2:15 pm to explore the core concepts of data literacy. From navigating misinformation to assessing data credibility and quality in a digital landscape, this session will provide practical skills for anyone looking to become data literate. Our Data Services Librarian, Samantha Harmon (pictured above, center), will provide real-world examples to illustrate how effective data organization and ethical considerations are essential to making informed decisions and how to tell compelling stories with data. More information and registration. 

Attend the Madison Inc. Celebration where student entrepreneurs deliver 1-minute elevator pitches for their groundbreaking business ideas. Wednesday, April 23, 5:30-7:30 pm in Hartman Hall's forum, room 2021. RSVP here! Highlights include:

• Elevator Pitch Competition: Picture this a whirlwind of creativity, passion, and ingenuity condensed into just 60 seconds. Our student entrepreneurs will dazzle you with their vision, charisma, and business acumen.
• Audience Choice Award: Your voice matters! After the riveting pitches, it s your turn to cast your vote. Who will win the $500 Audience Choice Award? The power is in your hands!
• Networking Extravaganza: Mingle, connect, and exchange ideas with fellow attendees. Whether you re a budding entrepreneur, investor, or simply curious, this is the place to be.
• Delectable Refreshments: Because great ideas deserve great snacks! Savor mouthwatering treats as you soak in the entrepreneurial energy.

Discover the power of Adobe Illustrator in this workshop for beginners. Learn the fundamental tools and techniques to create illustrations, logos, and graphic designs. You'll learn to navigate the Illustrator interface, work with shapes and paths, apply colors, and use typography effectively. You'll also hear about creating and editing vector graphics. Adobe Illustrator can be also used with laser cutters, vinyl cutters, and 3D printers, all of which are available in The Makery in Rose Library. We will briefly discuss how to modify Illustrator designs to work with these different technologies. Monday, May 5, 2-3:00 pm.
No prior Illustrator experience is needed. We will provide laptops with Adobe Illustrator during the workshop. More information and registration. 

Libraries workshops can be found on JMU Libraries Calendar - Upcoming Events. 

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