Events & Deadlines

Attend the Psychology Symposium!  Psychology students will be sharing their work by presenting a poster at the Annual Department of Psychology Student Symposium to be held on Monday April 22, 2:00 - 4:30 pm,  in the Transitions room of Warren Hall.

Top 8 reasons to attend this event:

• Talk with fellow students about research opportunities available for JMU psychology majors.
• Talk with fellow students about field placement opportunities available for JMU psychology majors.
• Discover the trials and tribulations of completing an honors thesis through conversations with JMU psychology majors who have just successfully completed the process.
• Experience a professional conference poster session, one of the most common ways that recent discoveries in science are shared among professionals. 
• Support your friends who are presenting their posters.
• In case of rain, stay dry in the Transitions room of Warren Hall.
• In case of sunshine, avoid sunburn.
• In case of thirst, enjoy our free refreshments!

Awards will be presented for the best posters:

• Award criteria for research posters
• Award criteria for practicum posters

 For more information about the symposium contact Colleen Johnson (ugpsyc@jmu.edu; 568-6114; Miller 1120).

“It Was Rape” Film Screening.  In recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness month, please join attend a film screening of It Was Rapeon Tuesday, April 23, 2013 at 7:00pm in the Memorial Hall Auditorium. In this film, eight women tell their diverse personal stories of sexual assault, from a Midwestern teenager trying alcohol for the first time to a Native American woman gradually coming to terms with her abusive childhood. Gripping and emotional, this film is an opportunity to empathize with people—not just absorb faceless statistics—and to puncture the silence and denial that allow sexual assault to thrive. Ultimately, these stories shed light on how this epidemic affects everyone. The screening will be followed by a discussion with the filmmaker, Jennifer Baumgardner. More information. 

Fall Positions Available!  Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance is seeking a person with a passion for economic & community development, business & administration, and non-profit organizations to be their Summer 2013 Organizational Management Intern. Students looking to help create a more vibrant downtown can gain experience with this small non-profit, located in downtown Harrisonburg. The internship will include managing a contact database and assisting with preparation of reports and planning fundraising events, communicating with members and sponsors, and promoting downtown events. The focus of the internship can be adapted to meet the individual interests and skills of the selected applicant, and a special semester-long project can be tailored to further provide experience and portfolio work. Applicants should send a resume, cover letter, and two work samples to Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance, ATTN: Trisha Blosser, Program Manager, 212 South Main Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22801. More information.

Summer Registration.  Register now for summer classes at James Madison.  The Department of Psychology is offering a wide selection of online and in-person classes.  More information.  

Spring 2013 Commencement.  On May 2, 2013, there will be a Senior Convocation in the Convocation Center at 7:00 pm. for graduating seniors only.  Individual college ceremonies will be held on May 4, 2013 beginning at 10:00 am. College ceremonies are expected to be completed by noon.  There will not be a University-wide ceremony in Bridgeforth Stadium.  More information.

The Reading Road Show – Gus Bus.  The Gus Bus program has several volunteer opportunities for students. Volunteers are needed for a semester-long commitment to drive to neighborhood stops near JMU for one shift per week to help read with children. Available times are Monday/Wednesday/Friday 4-8 pm. and Tuesday 6-8 pm. Other volunteers are needed to tutor elementary students at school or home for 1-2 hours a week. Lastly, volunteers are needed to read with children on Monday-Thursday from 3:35-5:30 at the Waterman and Spotswood Elementary schools. Applicants will need to complete a web application.  More information.

Community Shelter Summer Practicum.  Several practicum placements are available this summer in local shelters that can provide valuable opportunities to gain experience working with people in grass roots agencies. Students enroll in a 3 credit Psychology 402 and contribute 120 hours under the supervision of an agency expert, and will work 10 hours per week for 12 weeks. Students will have the opportunity to work with homeless individuals and families, adolescents in detention, and near homeless people in Harrisonburg and Staunton. Class is held once weekly in which students complete relevant written assignments. Applicants hoping to work at the Shenandoah Valley Juvenile Center must speak fluent Spanish. Applicants will be asked to submit a short application, a resume, and 2 recommendation letters from faculty or work supervisors. Interested applicants should contact Pam Gibson at gibsonpr@jmu.edu.

Introductory Fieldwork:  Summer.    Several fieldwork opportunities are available for Summer, 2013 at the 1-credit (40 hours); 2-credit (80 hours) or 3-credit (120 hours) level:

• The Virginia Child Protection Newsletter- an on campus opportunity, where hours and weeks to work are flexible. After doing a 290, students can qualify to be hired by the grant for additional work.  Students will complete online searches, compile reference lists, and write short articles.
• Child and Family Guidance- a summer program for children with ADHD and other disruptive behavioral disorders. Students must be available the week of June 10 for training (First Aide; TOVA; and CPR). The program operates from June 17 to August 9 and hours are flexible. Students can choose which weeks to work.
• First Step, Inc. – a shelter for battered women and their children. Students assist mainly with activities for children. Weeks and hours are flexible.
• Art for Memory Enhancement- at Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community. Weeks and hours are flexible.
• Op Shop- a program for adults with disabilities. Weeks are flexible. Program hours are 9:00 to 3:00.
• Blue Ridge Legal Services- assist staff mainly with administrative tasks. Hours and weeks are flexible.

Submit an application to Dr. Joann Grayson (Miller 1157) and sign up for an appointment time on her sign up board.  More information.

Introductory Fieldwork:  Fall.  Introductory Fieldwork Applications (Psychology 290) for Fall 2013 are now being accepted by Dr. Joann Grayson.  There are still openings for the positions of Teaching Assistant, Tutoring at-Risk Children, the Op Shop, Art for Memory Enhancement at Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community, and Blue Ridge Legal Services. Late openings in other sites are possible depending upon whether or not other institutions use all of their spots.  More information.

Counseling and Student Development (CSDC) Internship.   Applications are being accepted for Fall 2013!  Junior and senior psychology majors are invited to join the CSDC in preparing and co-presenting workshops for an Interpersonal Skills Certificate Program, Anger Management Certificate Program, and on various mental health topics. Selected applicants may also assist with additional projects, research and CSDC special events. Students may earn three credits through enrollment in PSYC 402.

E-mail Kara Michelle Karr (karrkm@jmu.edu) for more information, or to request an application.

Certificate Programs.  The Counseling and Development Center offers a variety of workshops throughout the semester.  Upcoming workshops include Gender Differences in Communication, Stress Management, Self-Esteem, Assertiveness, Healthy vs. Unhealthy Relationships, Dealing with Difficult People, Anger Management, and Connecting with New People 101. Visit the Certificate Program website for dates, times, and locations of these programs.  All workshops are free, and there is no registration.  Contact Kara Karr (karrkm@jmu.edu) with questions. More information.

Psychology Peer Advisors are here for you!   Psychology Peer Advising is a student-staffed office that serves the students and faculty of the Psychology Department.  Their office in 1106 Miller Hall is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 9:00 am – 4:00 pm, and Wednesday 10:00 am – 4:00 pm.  They can also be contacted at peeradvise@gmail.com and (540) 568-6214.  Feel free to stop by with any questions you may have about psychology at JMU!  Also, they have now gone digital!  For quick bits and advising tips, “Follow” them on Twitter (@JMUPsycAdvisors) and “Like” them on Facebook (JMU Psychology Peer Advising)!

Human Science Minor.  The Human Science Minor is no longer accepting students.  In addition, students in the minor must finish the program by May 2014.  More Information.

Be Involved.  Are you looking for ways to become more involved on campus?  The Be Involved website lists campus organizations and campus events.  More information.

Study Abroad.  Study at one of JMU’s partner institutions in Australia, England, Egypt, Japan, Morocco, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, or the United Arab Emirates while being immersed in the cultures of some of the world's most exciting and provocative cities. Students on a JMU exchange, pay room and board to the overseas institution while paying tuition to JMU, allowing students to maintain current financial aid packages, including grants and scholarships.  For those not on financial aid, an exchange program is an affordable way to study overseas while paying JMU’s tuition rates. Most of the universities offer courses in English or an English language program. Many classes are taught in the country’s native language, so proficiency in that language will expand course options. Exchange programs are available only for the Fall or Spring semesters, but not during the summer. More information.

Learning Commons in the Carrier Library.  Help is now available in the Carrier Library. Both walk-in and scheduled appointments are available to help students with research and writing.  More information.

JMU Writing Center. The University Writing Center has a team of professional writing consultants, graduate students, and peer tutors who work directly with student and faculty writers, providing resources on writing strategies, and support writing across campus. More information.

The JMU Communication Center helps the JMU community improve in oral communication skills.  In this peer tutoring facility located on the fourth floor of Wilson Hall, student speech consultants provide help with speech preparation, speech deliveries, speech topic selection and research, speech anxiety, speech organization and PowerPoint creation and delivery.  More information.

The First Year Involvement (FYI) Writing Center is a place where First Year Students can come and have a class paper read and critiqued by a trained Peer Writing Tutor.  More information.

Behavior Analysis Concentration applications are now being accepted. More information.

Register your interests. The Council on Undergraduate Research has established a Registry of Undergraduate Researchers to facilitate matchmaking between graduate schools and undergraduates with research experience who wish to pursue an advanced degree. Currently the Registry is open to students and graduate schools/employers in nearly all the fields of science that are supported at NSF. Undergraduate students currently in their Junior year should register, but can update their listing at the end of the summer and during their senior year, to include any additional information. Information will be made available only to graduate schools that contract with CUR for this service.  Access the undergraduate registry.

Helpful Resources

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There are many resources available to JMU students who are looking community support and assistance:

• Dukes in Recovery is a weekly, student-led, non-judgmental, non-critical, anonymous, non-AA-or-NA-affiliated program that provides a support network for JMU students recovering from alcoholism and/or substance addiction. More information.
• Campus Assault ResponsE (CARE) is a student-run helpline designed for students who have been directly or indirectly affected by sexual assault. More information.
• Campus Coalition on Alcohol Abuse (CCAA) acts as a catalyst in identifying community needs, selecting key alcohol prevention initiatives, and mobilizing community support. More information.
• The HOPE Team (Help Overcome Problems with Eating and Exercise) is a multidisciplinary team approach for students with disordered eating and exercise behaviors. More information.
• The LGBTA (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Allies) Program seeks to educate, support, and advocate on issues intersecting with sexual orientation and gender identity. More information.
• Patient Advocate is a program whose goal is to provide care that is considerate and respectful of the rights and needs of patients as individuals. More information.
• Sexual Assault Recovery is a program through Student Wellness and Outreach that provides advocacy, referrals, and support to students who are or know survivors of sexual assault. More information.

Upcoming Conferences/Meetings

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• Farmingdale State College Conference on the Teaching of Psychology – The annual conference will be held April 5-6, 2013 in Tarrytown, NY.  More information.
• Virginia Psychological Association – The annual conference will be held April 24-26, 2013 in Richmond, VA.  More information.
• National Council on Measurement in Education (NCME) - The annual conference will be held April 26-30, 2013 San Francisco, CA. More information.
• American Educational Research Association (AERA) - The annual conference will be held April 27-May 1, 2013 in San Francisco, CA. More information.
• UCLA Psychology Undergraduate Research Conference (PURC) – The annual conference will be held on May 10, 2013 in Los Angeles, CA.  More information.
• Association for Behavior Analysis: International (ABAI) - The annual conference will be held May 24-28, 2013 in Minneapolis, MN. More information.
• Association for Psychological Sciences (APS) – The annual conference will be held May 23-26, 2013 in Washington DC.  More information .
• Sport and Society Conference – The annual conference will be held June 13-15, 2013 in Chicago, IL.  More information.
• American Psychological Association (APA) - The annual APA conference will be held July 31-August 4, 2013, Honolulu, HI.  More information.
• Atlantic Coast Teaching of Psychology (ACToP) – The biennial conference will be held September 20-21, 2013 in Red Bank, NJ.  More information.
• Eastern Psychological Association (EPA) – The annual conference will be held March 13-16, 2014 in Boston, MA. More information.