The 2025 Showcase of Graduate Student Scholarship and Creative Activities will take place the week of April 11. The special day set aside for oral and poster presentations, and the annual Awards Reception is Friday, April 11, 2025, in the Hall of Presidents.

Submit your proposals for oral presentations and poster presentations, musical performances or art installations. Visit the Showcase website to learn more and submit your proposal by March 17.

Spring Professional Development Grant Applications for 2025 are officially open! 
These grants are awarded to students for entrance into professional societies, to attend workshops that will benefit their academic career, or other creative learning opportunities that would not be funded through travel grants or may not be supplemented by departments. The maximum amount that can be allocated is $200. Deadline: February 27, 11:59 pm. If you are interested in applying or would just like to learn more, please visit the GSA website or fill in the form.

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. 

Networking with JMU Alumni - (tentative) March 17 in Grad Lounge and via zoom

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.

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

Teacher Recruitment Day on February 27 from 9:30-11:30am, Festival Ballroom 

Practice Interview Event (PIE) allows JMU students to prepare and feel confident for their future interviews. Sign up for a 30-minute mock interview with real professionals and receive insightful feedback on your interview skills! This free event is a great opportunity to:

1. Practice answering common and challenging interview questions
2. Learn tips and get advice directly from companies' representatives (many are recruiters and hiring managers for their organizations)
3. Network with key contacts in companies and industries that you might be interested in. Multiple dates (March 7 and April 9). 

Apply for a 2025–2026 Presidential Engagement Fellows program placement. The Presidential Engagement Fellows program is a 10-month fellowship focused on leadership development for recent JMU graduates (undergraduate or graduate). Fellows receive a total stipend of $19,396 (comprised of a $14,396 living stipend with a $500 per month housing stipend to be paid over the course of 10 months). Fellows are placed within JMU offices where they contribute to projects and programs critical to the university’s mission, vision, and values. To apply visit jobs.jmu.edu and reference posting number 20000952. Questions may be shared directly with Brandi Duncan, Director of Engagement (duncanlb@jmu.edu or 540-568-5662).

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