The Madison Family Newsletter is created each month by the Office of Family Engagement in partnership with many members of the JMU community. For more family resources, visit our website.
In This Issue:
- A Letter from Dr. Miller
- Encourage your Duke to Enroll in Okta Before Spring Break
- Give Like a Duke to Support Your Duke
- Save the Date for Sibs & Kids Day: April 12
- Submit the 2025-26 FAFSA Before March 1st
- FROG Applications Open This Month
- Discover the Impact of Volunteering with CEVC
- Dive into the Spring at UREC
- Out of State Student Travel Home: Spring Break
- You're Invited to Join Other Visionaries
- JMU Dining Partners with Too Good To Go
A Letter from Dr. Tim Miller
Hello JMU families,
The Spring semester has begun, and I have loved connecting with your students all across campus. This week I was able to join students at YoungLife College, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (I did not join in despite their many requests), Theta Chi Fraternity and the JMU Competitive Cheer team. One of my favorite things at JMU is to see our students in their organizations, and there were so many new members at these events. Keep encouraging your students to put themselves out there and show up to new events and organizations.
Reminders
Encourage your Duke to volunteer and engage with the local community this month. Helping others can make such a huge difference in this community, so I encourage everyone to check out the many opportunities through the Community Engagement and Volunteer Center (CEVC). Engaging in service changed the direction of my life and career and set me on the path to my current role at JMU.
There are also many service-oriented student organizations. Students can find these and more by using the Be Involved app.
Updates
Now is the time for students to apply for internships, summer jobs, and for all students to start working on their careers after JMU. The University Career Center has resources to prepare them for career fairs, resume help, practice interviews and so much more.
Many departments on campus will soon be recruiting for student jobs for next year and many will be posted to JMU’s job search site. If your student has a specialized skill or interest (such as photography, videography, graphic design or social media), they can also check specific departments’ websites for any information about hiring for that area. The work of Student Affairs could not happen without our incredibly talented and passionate student staff in every department. I worked throughout my four years at JMU, and it provided me with structure, responsibility, and it allowed me to have spending money to take pressure off my family with the costs of college. I also found my community in my JMU jobs as an RA, catering manager, summer conference assistant and UREC referee.
JMU Giving Day
Feb. 27 is JMU Giving Day, when the JMU community comes together to contribute to scholarships, research and other areas that are meaningful to us. Last year, Jamie and I created the Jones Miller Student Emergency Fund in honor of our parents, to support Dukes who are struggling with unexpected costs while enrolled at JMU. We appreciate your gifts to this fund, and the students who have been helped wouldn’t be here without you. Also consider supporting the Parents Council Endowment Scholarship Fund Challenge on Giving Day to help students with financial need.
Question to ask your student
Do you know what to do if you get sick?
Tip: Many students have never managed their own healthcare and are often unsure of what to do if they feel sick. The University Health Center provides these self-care guides, online appointment scheduling, and clinical corner so they can talk to a nurse on the phone. The flu is definitely going around on campus so help them be prepared before they get sick.
Events
Social Media: Friend, Foe or Both? | Feb. 10 | 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 pm. | SSC 1075
University Career Fair | Feb. 18 & 19 | 1 – 5 p.m. | Atlantic Union Bank Center
Give Like a Duke Student Philanthropy Carnival | Feb. 19 | 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. | Union Ballroom, Warren 504
Many more can be found on the JMU event calendar. The main thing I want to stress is for them to keep trying new things and putting themselves out there in class, in their hall, and across campus. I know it’s not always easy but it’s worth the effort.
I am incredibly proud to be part of this incredible and life-changing community, and I want you all to know about the team that I get to work with every day who makes this place special for your Dukes.
Since this email references CEVC and the Career Center, I’d like to introduce Dr. Myles Surrett, our AVP for Career, Experiential Learning and Transition. You may have met Myles during orientation, since Orientation and Transition are also in his area, or at a football game tailgate helping to hand out pizzas. He and his team do great things for our students from the moment they step foot on campus to when they walk across the stage at graduation. Myles is a transformative servant leader at JMU, and I feel blessed to have known and worked with him for many years. Also, next time you see Myles, ask him to tell you his Bear Joke, it’s a classic.
Take care and Go Dukes!
Dr. Tim Miller
Vice President for Student Affairs
Encourage Your Duke to Enroll in Okta Before Spring Break
Submitted by: John Stevens, Knowledge & Outreach Coordinator, Information Technology
Between 2/11 and 2/20, all current JMU students will receive an email asking them to enroll in Okta, a new system that will replace Duo Mobile with Okta Verify as their multifactor authenticator over Spring Break. To prevent any interruption in students accessing JMU systems (and yes, that means all JMU systems – email, MyMadison, Canvas, and more), please remind your student to enroll in Okta as soon as they receive the enrollment email.
For awareness, the sender of the upcoming email will be JMU No Reply <noreply@mylogin.jmu.edu>, the subject will be “Welcome to JMU Okta!” and a 7-day activation link for Okta enrollment will be included.
Students should enroll at least one device in Okta Verify so that they are ready for the transition. They should not remove Duo Mobile from their devices until after Spring Break. For detailed enrollment instructions and answers to several frequently asked questions (including what to do if you do not have a smart phone), please see JMU’s Okta website.
Submitted by: Liz Fravel, Associate Director, Campaign Operations, Office of Annual Giving
Our JMU community unites for Giving Day this year on Feb. 27 to celebrate the university we love. For just 24 hours, we rally for the causes closest to our hearts and donate to support them. All the action takes place at jmu.edu/giving-day-2025 starting at midnight on Thursday, Feb. 27.
Your Parents Council has already committed $33,272 that you can unlock when you GIVE LIKE A DUKE to the PC Endowment for Scholarships. Don't want to wait until then? Give now and have it count towards the challenge.
Save the Date for Sibs & Kids Day: April 12
Save the Date for Sibs and Kids Day on April 12, 2025! This event provides an opportunity for JMU students to invite their 12 to 18-year-old sibling(s) or family friends to campus and show them what it’s like to be a Duke. Dining vouchers, a scavenger hunt, free t-shirts and a variety of activities are included in this awesome experience for future Dukes. Registration is required and will open later this month. The registration deadline will be March 24 (Monday after spring break). The full schedule of events will post soon, so check the website often for updates.
Submit the 2025-26 FAFSA Before March 1st
Submitted by: Jessica Hopkins, Assistant Director of Compliance, Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships
The 2025-26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is available now. To ensure your student receives priority consideration for all types of financial assistance, the federal government must receive their 2025-26 FAFSA by March 1, 2025. This is JMU’s priority filing date. In some cases, filing later can reduce the chances of receiving certain types of financial aid, including state grants.
Please note that meeting the priority filing date does not guarantee that a student will receive university or state grant dollars. The number of eligible students and the size of our annual funding allocations are significant factors in determining whether sufficient funds are available to award all those who qualify.
Submitting a FAFSA comes with no strings attached. The application is free and can be completed online at studentaid.gov.
For more information on the new FAFSA changes, visit this portion of our website.
For more information, visit the “Apply” section of our website which includes more videos (one with FAFSA tips specifically for parents), Net Price Calculators, Cost of Attendance figures and information about the different types of aid available at JMU.
FROG Applications Open This Month
Submitted by: TJ Stafford, Assistant Director of Orientation, Orientation & Transition
The Office of Orientation and Transition is excited to begin hiring the 2025 First yeaR Orientation Guide (FROG) team, and we’re looking for passionate, responsible, and service-oriented undergraduate students to join us. FROGs play a crucial role in welcoming new Dukes to campus during Weeks of Welcome in August from move-in through the start of classes. If you think your student would enjoy making a difference by assisting incoming students and proudly wearing a neon green shirt, we’d love for you to share this opportunity with them!
We encourage students of all ages, majors, and leadership backgrounds to apply. The application opens on Monday, February 10 and closes on Wednesday, March 12.
Thank you for helping us find the next generation of FROGs!
Submitted by: Lindsey Richards, Assistant Director, Engagement, Communication, & Innovation, Community Engagement & Volunteer Center
This February, your student might be searching for ways to stay grounded and connected during the semester. One impactful way to do this? Volunteering! It not only helps others, but also boosts well-being, reduces stress, and creates opportunities for lasting friendships.
Spread the Love Happy Hour
Celebrate Valentine’s season with food, crafts, and fairtrade shopping at CEVC! We’re teaming up with New Creation, a nonprofit counteracting human trafficking, and The Pantry for a canned food drive. Join us for a heartwarming event!
Friday, February 14, 11:00 AM–1:00 PM, CEVC (SSC 2200)
Dukes Volunteer - Food Recovery Network
Help your Duke make an impact! They can join CEVC on Mondays to recover unused food from E-Hall and deliver it to local organizations.
Mondays, Feb. 3 - May 5, 3:15-5pm, E-Hall
Dukes Volunteer – VA Mennonite Retirement Community
Your student can join CEVC to support memory care residents at VMRC. Transportation provided!
Tuesdays, Feb. 4 – Apr. 22, 10-11am, VMRC
Alternative Spring Breaks
Time is running out! Encourage your Duke to spend spring break giving back, building connections, and making an impact.
March 15-22, 2025, $350, Need-based scholarships are available!
Deadline: 11:59pm on February 9
Lead with CEVC
Encourage your Duke to build leadership skills and make an impact by joining our team! They can apply for various coordinator positions for Summer 2025 and 2025-2026.
Here is to a month of giving back and growing together! For more info, visit Community Engagement & Volunteer Center, email us at cevc@jmu.edu, or call 540-568-6366.
Dive into the Spring at UREC
Submitted by: Anaëlle Wagoner, Assistant Director for Communications & Engagement, University Recreation (UREC)
Encourage your student to dive into the fun with two new exciting aquatic events at UREC:
🏅 Triathlon Challenge is a perfect way to test endurance! Participants will challenge themselves with a 10-minute swim, 20-minute run, and 30-minute bike ride on their own schedule from February 2 to February 20.
🏆 Pack the Pool: Water Sports Tournament is a high-energy competition featuring Stand-Up Paddleboard Dodgeball, Pool Basketball, Volleyball, Log Rolling, and an Inflatable Obstacle Course! Students can sign up with a team or be placed on one to participate in the event on February 21. The team with the most wins takes home an intramural champion t-shirt!
Whether they want to push their limits or just have fun with friends, these events are a great way for your students to challenge themselves in a fun environment! Encourage them to sign today:
Out of State Student Travel Home: Spring Break
Submitted by: Amy Sfaelos, College Transit
It’s hard to believe it’s time to plan for students to return home for spring break. As of this submission, our Northeast route to Allentown, Morris Plains, Tarrytown and Melville has 22 seats remaining. Our Mid-Atlantic route to King of Prussia and Howell Township is still on pre-order requiring another 14 students to register before we confirm.
As a reminder since we do get the question often - CollegeTransit does NOT overbook our seats.
See you next month!
Submitted by: Ryan Boals, Associate Director, Corporate and Foundation Relations
Madison Trust is your exclusive insider’s view of JMU’s best faculty- and staff-led projects that are seeking seed money. This event offers more than a seat in the room. Our Madison Trust philanthropic-investors empower ideas to ignite student innovation in JMU classrooms.
Step into the boardroom to hear impressive pitches, ask questions, influence ventures and invest your funds to drive groundbreaking ideas. Secure your seat with a contribution of $5,000 to Madison Trust.
MADISON TRUST
Friday, March 14, 9:15 AM – 4:30 PM
Location: James Madison University, Festival Conference & Student Center, Board of Visitors Room
• Business dress
• Includes complimentary breakfast, lunch and reception
RSVP TODAY – seats are limited
JMU Dining Partners with Too Good To Go
Submitted by: Gabriella Fox, Sustainability Coordinator, JMU Dining
JMU Dining has partnered with Too Good to Go, a social impact company that allows two dining locations on campus to reduce their food waste. At the end of the day, "surprise bags" filled with an assortment of grab-and-go items are posted to the app (Too Good To Go) at a reduced price. The food that is posted on the app is surplus and may not otherwise be sold. The food continues to meet all quality standards, so ensuring it is consumed by people before considering composting is the top priority.
Encourage your students to download the free app in order to utilize this price efficient way to enjoy excellent food items from Mr. Chips and Market 64. This partnership allows for a reduction of food waste while providing students and the community an opportunity to enjoy great food at a discounted price.
Join 12,000+ fellow JMU parents and guardians in the official Facebook group! This group was created by the Office of Family Engagement in an effort to provide a safe online environment for parents & family members to engage with one another. Request to join the group here »
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