The Graduate School at James Madison University participates in the National Name Exchange (NNE). The National Name Exchange was established to help match graduate schools with students from historically underrepresented racial and ethnic groups interested in graduate education.

The National Name Exchange seeks to:

• Increase the number of students from underrepresented groups accepted into graduate school;
• Improve student access to information on graduate school opportunities
• Work towards personalizing the recruitment effort by designating a National Name Exchange institutional representative to facilitate information exchange between the institution and prospective students.
• Assist graduate schools in identifying qualified candidates from underrepresented groups for consideration for graduate study.
• To learn more about the National Name Exchange please visit their website.

Within The Graduate School at JMU, our goal is to connect current JMU underrepresented undergraduate students with various graduate programs and universities around the country and to recruit students from underrepresented backgrounds to JMU. Participation in the NNE is by invitation-only.

JMU will waive application fees for students who are participants in the National Name Exchange program. Please contact the Director of Graduate Admissions, Lynette Michael (michaeld@jmu.edu), for a code and instructions.

The Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Porgram is a nationwide program providing support and encouragement to first-generation, low- income and minority students seeking to pursue doctoral degrees and collegiate teaching careers. McNair is a one of the TRIO programs established by the U.S. Department of Education to provide academic support from under represented communities.

JMU will waive application fees for students who are participants in the McNairs Scholar program. Please contact the Director of Graduate Admissions, Lynette Michael (michaeld@jmu.edu), for a code and instructions.

The Graduate School hosts our Graduate School Student Forum to introduce undergraduate students to the programs, funding opportunities, and resources related to graduate studies at JMU and beyond. This event is especially designed for undergraduate students from underrepresented and marginalized backgrounds. Participants will learn about the application process, how to identify and select a program/school, and how to fund their graduate degrees. Attendees will also hear from current graduate students on campus about their experiences at JMU and learn about resources on campus to support their transition to graduate school.