JMU Honors College

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Our mission is to prepare thoughtful and engaged citizens equipped to lead, innovate, and make meaningful contributions in a complex and ever changing global community. We foster interdisciplinary learning in a diverse academic community through unique and connected educational experiences.

At the spring Medallion Ceremony, we were proud to recognize six graduates as outstanding Honors students. Nominated by ...
05/15/2026

At the spring Medallion Ceremony, we were proud to recognize six graduates as outstanding Honors students. Nominated by Honors College faculty, each student clearly embodies the Honors College’s mission and values.

Congratulations to Leah, Eva, Will, Naomi, Michaela, and Morgan!

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Leah Ballinger has worked both on and off campus to create and enhance support systems focused on mental health. In addition to her work with the JMU Counseling Center, she has also been an active member and leader of various student organizations, and recently published a teaching resource for the JMU Center for Faculty Innovation.

Eva Del Gallo has been involved in the National Student Speech-Language-Hearing Association, served as an undergraduate member of the Infant & Toddler Language Laboratory, and has participated in clinical observations through the Communication Sciences & Disorders program. She has also volunteered and served in various other positions both on campus and in student organizations.

Will Jedrzejczak was a Founding and Lead Ambassador of JMU’s IT major, Internal Vice President of the Madison Consulting Club, and Executive Officer of the Cyber Defense Club. He also served as an Honors Teaching Fellow and has been an active member and leader in other organizations on campus, with a special focus on STEM and related issues.

Naomi Minwalla has worked as an office assistant in Hillcrest House, and completed two undergraduate theses. She studied and completed research abroad in Seville, Spain; and also took part in JMU’s Washington Semester program.

Michaela Powell has worked as an Engagement Assistant in the Honors College for the past two years. In addition to her work within the college, she also served as the Managing Editor for Iris Literature and Arts Magazine and has studied abroad at the University of Oxford.

Morgan Tribby has served as President of MHLC and as an RA for Honors housing – in addition to other leadership roles across campus. A proven leader throughout the campus community, Morgan was recently a recipient of the Student Today, Alumni Tomorrow award.

05/15/2026

Honors grads, this is *your* moment. Congrats to the class of 2026 - we can’t wait to see the impact you’ll make as you begin this next chapter! 🎓🎉

In a celebration of dedication and achievement, the Honors College recognized its Spring 2026 graduates at the Honors Me...
05/14/2026

In a celebration of dedication and achievement, the Honors College recognized its Spring 2026 graduates at the Honors Medallion Ceremony. Thank you to all who celebrated with us!

Graduates, your commitment to academic excellence has led you to this important milestone. We're incredibly proud of all you've accomplished during your time in Honors. Congratulations, Class of 2026!

The finish line is so close, Dukes! As you navigate the rest of your finals, stay focused and make the most of your stud...
05/08/2026

The finish line is so close, Dukes! As you navigate the rest of your finals, stay focused and make the most of your study time by building small and intentional habits. You’ve made it so far - we’re rooting for you!

Good luck with finals – you've got this! Don’t forget that Hillcrest House is a great space to relax, study, and prepare...
05/07/2026

Good luck with finals – you've got this! Don’t forget that Hillcrest House is a great space to relax, study, and prepare for the end of the semester.

The living room and sunroom are open Monday-Friday from 8am-5pm, and the basement study lounge and computer lab are open seven days a week from 7am to midnight.

Finish off the semester strong, Dukes!

Want to plan a break from exams? Local therapy dog, Rigel, and his owner, Joy, will be at Hillcrest to offer some Finals...
05/05/2026

Want to plan a break from exams? Local therapy dog, Rigel, and his owner, Joy, will be at Hillcrest to offer some Finals Week stress relief. Come say hi! 🐾

Monday, May 11, and Tuesday, May 12
11:30am - 1:30pm
Hillcrest

RSVP in our bio.

Professors Philip Frana and Jennifer Mangan recently led students in their Honors 300: Science, Pseudoscience, & Logical...
05/04/2026

Professors Philip Frana and Jennifer Mangan recently led students in their Honors 300: Science, Pseudoscience, & Logical Fallacies course on a remarkable experiential learning trip. Students in the class explore how to evaluate claims, evidence, and reasoning, with a focus on scientific thinking and the limits of human perception. Together, they participated in a ghost tour in Staunton, Virginia, experiencing firsthand how mystery, history, and storytelling can blend to make the extraordinary feel real. Students heard tales of Civil War soldiers, unexplained voices, and even the “ghost of Jimmy,” a bank teller said to still linger at his old workplace.

During the tour, students analyzed the techniques used to make these stories compelling, even in an age of scientific reasoning and rational thought.

One of the most surprising insights came when Dr. Frana connected his research on AI to the technology used in ghost hunting. According to Frana, both AI chatbots and ghost-hunting tools “are often treated as mediums capable of disclosing hidden truths through interpretation and projection,” shaping how humans fill unexplained gaps in their understanding and “accept these mediating technologies as sources of authority and wonder.”

For many students, it was their first ghost tour, and the variety of concepts they explored made it a trip they will never forget!

🌟 Course Spotlight:The Honors 300 “Chesapeake Connections” course, taught by professors Eric Fitzgerald and Jerry Ridgew...
04/28/2026

🌟 Course Spotlight:

The Honors 300 “Chesapeake Connections” course, taught by professors Eric Fitzgerald and Jerry Ridgeway, emphasizes what makes the Honors experience powerful by taking learning into the communities, ecosystems, and industries that shape Virginia.

“In Chesapeake Connections we learn about the Bay - its history, the challenges it faces, what’s being done to save the Bay, and what the future of the Bay looks like. As part of this, we look at the history of the Bay communities and how they are affected as well,” Professor Ridgeway explained.

To explore these concepts, the HON 300 class recently went on a trip to Tangier Island. “We want students to meet the residents of Tangier, to experience what goes on there on a day-to-day basis, and discover how the residents are dealing with the problems they face in living in such an isolated community. We investigate what is being done to restore the Bay and whether those same things can be done in other challenged estuaries and waterways,” Ridgeway said. “We also discuss how what we do here in the Valley affects the Bay.”

For students, course experiences like these bring a deeper understanding to their learning, by turning concepts and discussions into unique first-hand experiences. “The trips, as well as local guest speakers, have opened my eyes and educated me 100x more than a lecture ever could,” Sophomore Julia Kunst reflected. “Professors Jerry and Eric take every opportunity to get to know the students, which I greatly appreciate.”

Through research, presentations, creative work, and more, the Spring 2026 Honors Symposium highlighted the remarkable wo...
04/27/2026

Through research, presentations, creative work, and more, the Spring 2026 Honors Symposium highlighted the remarkable work of our students. Capstone projects reflected the wide-ranging interests of our students and the commitment to learning that defines the Honors community. Congratulations to all who presented!

04/24/2026

We put some of our student employees to the test to see how well they knew Honors College history! How many did you get right?

Are you unsure of your post-grad plans? Attend the Post-Grad Panel for guidance in the right direction!We will have pane...
04/21/2026

Are you unsure of your post-grad plans? Attend the Post-Grad Panel for guidance in the right direction!

We will have panelists in all stages of post-grad life, ranging from job hunting, to graduate school, to fellowships. Attendees will get firsthand advice about switching career paths, graduate school applications, and navigating the job market.

May 1st
3:00 – 4:30 p.m.
HBS 1003

Address

251 Warren Service Drive, MSC 1501
Harrisonburg, VA
22807

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+15405686953

Website

https://linktr.ee/jmuhonors

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