Communication to Black Alumni

Commitment

Diversity is one of six key values outlined in the university’s Strategic Plan. To live that value, all divisions and departments must provide details and information about how they are supporting diversity at JMU. The following campus resources and initiatives demonstrate JMU’s commitment to diversity by creating learning opportunities for future and current students, faculty and staff.

Leadership

The Office of Access and Inclusion provides leadership and direction for the continuous assessment and improvement of university-wide efforts to create and sustain a more diverse and inclusive community of learners. Advising the Senior Leadership Team and the Provost’s Leadership Team, Art Dean and David Owusu-Ansah serve as Executive Directors of A&I. Learn more about A&I.

Valley Scholars

The Valley Scholars program serves first-generation, financially eligible students, who are motivated and show academic promise in middle school and throughout high school. As the program enters its sixth year, members of the first graduating class are turning their dreams of a college education into reality. JMU welcomed 27 members of the first cohort of JMU’s Valley Scholars program as freshmen this fall. Watch this short video to learn more about Valley Scholars.

Centennial Scholars Program

Since 2004 the Centennial Scholars Program has provided financial assistance and a multi-level academic support network, to retain eligible under-represented students. CSP offers full scholarships to Virginia residents who demonstrate financial need. Through the program students also receive academic support, peer mentoring, interaction with faculty mentors, cultural enrichment activities and career-oriented workshops. The program requires students to maintain a 3.0 GPA, perform community service and participate in campus activities. Learn more about CSP.

IDEA Grants

Awarded since 2006 the Innovative Efforts Award (IDEA) grants provide funding to students, faculty and staff members who want to test original ideas and/or develop sustainable activities and projects for the enrichment of diversity and inclusion at James Madison University. Individuals, departments, units or groups submit proposals for activities designed to enhance diversity and inclusion in the broadest terms. For more info and list of previous grant winners click here.

Provost’s Faculty Diversity Curriculum Grants

The Provost's Faculty Diversity Curriculum Grants have been established to encourage more diversity intelligence in all aspects of the curriculum, in support of faculty interest, and to offer students more experience with the pervasive impact of difference in a multicultural society. For more info and list of previous grant winners click here.

Annual Diversity Conference 

The Office of the President sponsors the annual JMU Diversity Conference. This popular conference celebrates diversity by providing learning opportunities for our faculty, staff and local community through a multitude of sessions, engaging keynote speakers, and award recognitions.

Student Diversity Summit

New in February, 2020, the Student Diversity Summit aims to give JMU students of all identities the opportunity to exchange ideas on issues of diversity and inclusion, a space and place to have honest conversations, and an opportunity to develop their awareness, knowledge, and skills related to all forms of diversity alongside peers. Stay tuned for more info here.

THRIVE

THRIVE is a new multi-dimensional program in the Graduate School that seeks to foster connections among diverse graduate student communities. THRIVE is dedicated to providing meaningful support and growth opportunities for graduate students of diverse perspectives.

Paul Jennings Exhibit

When visiting campus be sure to check out the newly unveiled exhibit honoring the life and legacy of Paul Jennings, an enslaved African American who served the Madison family. This exhibit in the lobby of Jennings Hall explores Jennings’ role in history and the ascendant sweep of six generations’ “right to rise”.

The Beacon

The Beacon celebrates diversity and inclusion at JMU by spotlighting upcoming engaging opportunities, highlighting campus initiatives, and featuring individuals at the forefront of creating an inclusive community at JMU. This e-newsletter is sent out to students, faculty, and staff twice a semester. Explore inclusion at JMU through the shining light of The Beacon.

Recognition through the Compass Award

JMU has set a course to embrace the inherent uniqueness of each member of our community.  We point to our similarities and differences, recognizing that people have distinct backgrounds, characteristics, experiences, ideas, beliefs, motivations and choices, all of which give direction and value to our university. The Compass Award recognizes an individual or groups’ demonstrated outstanding contributions to diversity and inclusion at JMU. Nominations open early 2020.

Prospective Students Visit Programs

University Admissions and the Students for Minority Outreach annually coordinate Overnight at Madison. Formerly known as Black Freshmen Weekend, this highly successful 30 year program is one of JMU’s largest recruitment programs for African American high school students. Over 75% of participants enroll at JMU.

Wednesday's at Madison provides a special visit program for organizations that serve first generation and low income students. Our aim is to educate students on the opportunities available to them at JMU. On these specific days, groups will learn about the academic colleges and available resources. This program is by invitation only. If you are associated with a school or organization you think could benefit from this experience, please contact Tiffany Woolley.

AVID: JMU partners with AVID schools for student visits. Over the past four years over 3,000 underrepresented students have visited JMU as a result of this partnership. JMU alumnae Jamie Lomax (’02) has been instrumental in building this partnership with JMU. Jamie is AVID’s Associate Area Director for the Mid-Atlantic Southern States.

Partnership for the Future: Since 2005 JMU has been a sponsor/partner with the Partnership for the Future program of Richmond, Virginia.  This program serves under-represented/low income students with internships, college readiness and support from high school through college graduation.

Center for Multicultural Student Services

The Center for Multicultural Student Services provides educational and celebratory programs and services that support an inclusive campus community in which members value diversity within themselves and others. CMSS programs include:

• MLK Week
• Homecoming Step Show
• Black History Month
• DEEP Impact Dialogue Series

Additionally CMSS coordinates the Male Academy and Female Institute Summer Programs. These programs are for an exciting two-weeks and provide an opportunity for underrepresented 9^th through 12^th graders to live and learn on a college campus, as well as enrich their development academically and socially.

CMSS is home to 33 multicultural student organizations. These orgs are diverse in their membership as well as in their focuses, with interests ranging in the areas of diversity, religious affiliation, service, multicultural Greek life, and academics. As a department CMSS supports these organizations in their efforts to educate the campus community about their interest areas through programs, events, and celebratory gatherings.

SGA Diversity & Inclusion Committee on Facebook