Being The Change

With its historic first-place finish at the 2025 NASA Student Launch Challenge — beating teams from MIT, Virginia Tech and other top engineering schools — JMU Engineering has arrived on the national stage. Hear how the program’s unique approach to engineering education produces graduates who lead in the field. 

On the occasion of Study Abroad Week at JMU, hear how the Center for Global Engagement and University Recreation have teamed up to give students the opportunity to learn how to cook recipes from around the world.

The local art scene is burgeoning like never before, and it's bringing campus and community closer together through shared purpose. Hear what's going on and who's behind making it go. 

Because good mental health greatly enables learning, JMU is constantly offering new programs to help students, faculty and staff find pathways to peace. In this episode, we spotlight one such program, the Serenity Center, which was founded by Dr. Mark Gabriele (’95), a neuroscientist.

Come along on a fabulous journey of discovery with JMU anthropologist Dr. Dennis Blanton and two of his former archaeology field-school students, Kyle Mitchell (’24) and Grace Gordon (’22), as they describe a significant find involving one of North America's earliest explorers.

As the Dukes prepare to take on Oregon in the first round of the 2025 College Football Playoff, Athletic Director Matt Roan reflects on JMU’s culture of winning, which includes becoming the first program from Virginia to make the CFP. 

Head of Financial Aid Brad Barnett also teaches courses on financial literacy. Hear from him and one of his students, senior Jameson Glynn, on why this aspect of wellness is so important and how students can get there.

JMU recently received a coveted distinction for being a driver of economic prosperity and innovation, joining just 94 other research universities nationally. Hear Drs. Anthony Tongen and Keith Holland (’00) describe what this milestone portends for JMU’s future. 

Just in time for Thanksgiving, hear how viral TikTokker Rosie Grant (’12) traveled the globe collecting recipes etched into gravestones, became an internet sensation, and authored To Die For: A Cookbook of Gravestone Recipes.

As JMU continues to evolve as a research institution, not all of the research is in a laboratory. Dr. Jennie Rosier shares her research about how relationships work and how her students engage with the inquiry in ways that can change them.

Hear how JMU's largest research grant ever is funding comprehensive, evidence-based approaches to understanding and supporting the holistic development of children by the Center for Advancement Research in Education.

Dr. Alan Levinovitz, a professor of religion at JMU who has appeared in media ranging from The Atlantic to The Joe Rogan Experience, discusses a new study he co-authored on the healing power of diagnosis.

Whether you’re local to Harrisonburg or visiting for university events such as Homecoming, discover what makes our phenomenal culinary scene tick with two of the ’Burg’s top foodies.

JMU Board of Visitors member and National Honorary Chair of VA250 Carly Fiorina describes why the celebration of the 250th anniversary of America's founding is important to all Americans, all Virginians, and, in particular, all members of the community named for James Madison.

Hear how JMU's one-of-a-kind Ethical Reasoning in Action program exposes every student to a framework aimed at elevating their decision-making in all aspects of their lives.

To celebrate Constitution Day, Dr. Peter Levine of Tufts University, one of the foremost authorities on civics and how to teach it, gave a guest lecture at JMU. While on campus, he stopped by the podcast studio for a discussion about the current state of our civic life. 

Co-chairs of the strategic planning process and the director of Planning, Analytics & Institutional Research discuss how the process is moving forward and how JMU community members can get involved.

Increasing numbers of students, faculty and staff are riding the bus to campus rather than driving their cars. Not only is this a big win for the environment, but it's also a huge stress reliever and a positive lifestyle choice.

Join us for part two of our conversation with JMU Vice President of Student Affairs Dr. Tim Miller (’96, ’00M) and Kathryn Hunt ('25), Student Affairs Presidential Engagement Fellow, about helping students find their place at JMU and get the most out of their Madison Experience.