X-Labs courses are different and here’s why! Students in X-Labs courses collaborate with peers and faculty from different colleges, using a design-thinking approach to solve real-world problems. NOTE: Each X-Labs course is uniquely formed. Please read instructions carefully under each course to find out how to register.

Check out our four Spring ‘25 courses below and, if they align with your interests and qualifications, we’d love for you to take the next steps to enroll!

Note: This course has three course numbers. Register using the course number closest to your area of study.

• Course Name: Who Cares About Small Farms Anyway?
• Course #s: CISE 480, KIN 428, UNST 190
• Day & Time: W, 3:25PM-5:55PM
• Course Challenge Statement: Students will develop solutions to real issues faced by small to mid-size family-owned and operated farms in the Shenandoah Valley.
• Students Eligible to Enroll: Students with an interest in the farming population and those with competencies in engineering, policy, law, design, biology, geology, environmental science, analysis, psychology, sociology, marketing, economics, or business management are encouraged to participate.
• How to Register: Students interested in this course need to contact Patrice Ludwig, ludwigpm@jmu.edu, to inquire about this opportunity. Dr. Ludwig will share next steps. 

Teaching Team from: 

• College of Health and Behavioral Studies
• Division of Research, Economic Development and Innovation
• College of Integrated Science & Engineering
• College of Science & Mathematics

Instructors from whom to seek permission:

• KIN 428 - Doug Hochstetler, Associate Dean, College of Health and Behavioral Studies 
• UNST 190 - Patrice Ludwig, Interim Assistant Vice President for Research & Innovation 
• CISE 480 - Sam Morton, Associate Professor, Engineering 
• Sam Prins, Dean, College of Science & Mathematics 

• Course Name: Workshop in Environmental Problem Solving
• Course #: ENVT 400
• Days & Time: TU/TH, 3:55-5:10PM
• Course Challenge Statement: Students will solve environmental and natural resource conservation challenges experienced by organizations and agencies.
• Students Eligible to Enroll: Students with an interest in environmental conservation and those with competencies in environmental management or science are encouraged to participate.
• How to Register: Students interested in this course need to contact Rob Alexander, alexanrw@jmu.edu, for a brief interview. Dr. Alexander will share next steps. 

Teaching Team from: 

• College of Arts & Letters
• College of Health and Behavioral Studies
• College of Visual and Performing Arts

Instructors:

• Rob Alexander, Associate Professor, Political Science
• Raihan Khan, Assistant Professor, Health Sciences
• Lisa Tubach, Professor, Art

Note: This course has two course numbers with two course titles. Register using the course number closest to your area of study. 

• Course Names & Course #s: New Models for Project Management in Live Entertainment (Course #: IART 451E) and Systems Thinking, Design Thinking, and Agile Development (Course #: CIS 498)
• Day & Time: W, 5:30-8PM
• Course Challenge Statement: Students will generate new production models for theatre to elevate creativity and collaboration practices within theatre production systems.
• Students Eligible to Enroll: Students with an interest in the performing arts and systems thinking and those with competencies in theatre, dance, business management, or computer information systems are encouraged to participate.
• How to Register: This course is open to all students. Register in MyMadison.

Teaching Team from: 

• College of Business
• College of Arts & Letters
• College of Visual and Performing Arts

Instructors:

• CIS 498 - Dmytro Babik, Associate Professor, Computer Information Systems & Business Analytics 
• Adrienne Hooker, Associate Professor, School of Media Arts & Design 
• IART 451E - Simon Marland, Assistant Professor, Sound Design 
• IART 451E - Brian Smallwood, Associate Professor of Theatre

This unique offering includes a Spring '25 prep course and a paid summer internship in 2025. For more information on this opportunity click here. 

• Course Name: The Reimagined Internship with Ellucian
• Course #: CISE 480
• Day & Time: Th, 3:55 PM-6:25 PM
• Course Challenge Statement: Students will gain hands-on experience in a multidisciplinary software development team and learn the entire software development lifecycle, from problem identification to solution implementation.
• Students Eligible to Apply: Ten students in the preferred areas of computer science, business, humanities, strong focus on AI, statistics, UX/UI, design thinking, cognitive psychology, marketing, communication, English, ethics, philosophy, law, graphic design, data science will be selected from the internship application.
• How to Apply: Interested students must apply for the course and internship on Handshake by Friday, November 15. Search The Reimagined Internship.  

Instructors:  

• Jonathan Stewart, director of IT, Finance, and Assessment, Student Affairs
• Lacey Gerard, director, Experience Design, Ellucian
• Other JMU and Ellucian mentors 

Lakeview Hall, Room 1150
T/Th, 11:10 AM-12:25 PM

Instructors:
Jamie Calgano-Roach, Director of Educational Technology Services, Associate Professor (Libraries)
Joi Merritt, Academic Unit Head and Associate Professor (Early, Elementary & Reading Education)

Lakeview Hall, Room 1150
Th, 2:20-4:50 PM

Instructors:
Gus Hallmon, Assistant Professor (Sport and Recreation Management, Hart School)
Raifat Zaini, Assistant Professor (ISAT)
Mikey Torres, Esports Director (X-Labs)

Lakeview Hall, Room 1150
Th, 3:55-6:45 PM

Instructors:
Bill Ritchie, CSX Professor (Business Management)

Lakeview Hall, Room 1150
M/W, 3:25-4:40 PM

Instructors:
Jonathan Stewart, Director of Finance, IT and Assessment (Division of Student Affairs)
Kevin Borg, Director of Public History Program, Professor (History, WGSS)
Adrienne Hooker, Associate Professor (SMAD)

Lakeview Hall, Room 1150
M/W, 9:35-10:50 AM

Instructors:
Rob Alexander, Associate Professor (Political Science), ICAD Co-Director
Raihan Khan, Health Sciences, CHBS
Patrice Ludwig, Associate Professor (Biology), Interim Assistant Director (X-Labs)

Lakeview Hall, Room 1150
Wednesday, 5:20-7:50 PM

Instructors:
Drew Danzell, Associate Professor, Integrated Sciences & Technology
Linda Thomas, Dean of The Graduate School, Professor (ISAT)

Lakeview Hall, Room 1150
Tuesday, 2:20-4:50 PM

Instructors:
Patrice Ludwig, Assistant Interim Director, X-Labs, Research, Economic Development, and Innovation
Grover Saunders, Immersive & Digital Projects Specialist, Administrative Faculty, Libraries