Being The Change

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.

As a new school year begins, JMU Vice President of Student Affairs Dr. Tim Miller (’96, ’00M) and Kathryn Hunt (’25), Student Affairs Presidential Engagement Fellow, offer some tips to help students get the most out of their Madison Experience.

In a time of great change in higher education, Jim Schmidt, JMU's seventh president, lays out his vision for the future.

Host Andy Perrine (’86) briefly reflects on the first two seasons of Being The Change as we pause publishing for the summer, returning in late August for Season 3.

Iraq war veteran and inspirational speaker Justin Constantine (’92) died in 2022, but his spirit lives on. Hear how first-year JMU student Samantha Cornell is benefiting from Justin’s legacy because of Dhalia Constantine’s generosity, and how Navy nurse Racheal Fletcher (’05) cared for Justin stateside before discovering they both were JMU alumni. 

In the second episode in a series about JMU’s continued evolution as a research institution, Dr. Patrice Ludwig (’96, ’01M), biologist and interim assistant vice president of Research and Innovation, provides context on how research pervades the undergraduate experience at JMU, while students Corrinne Cullina (’25) and Tony Gelona (’25) describe their life-changing research experiences starting early in their careers at Madison.

From a teachers’ school for women, to a regional master’s-level university, to a national research institution, JMU certainly has evolved during its 117-year history. Dr. Anthony Tongen, vice president of Research, Economic Development and Innovation, and Dr. Rudy Molina, vice provost for Student Academic Success, discuss how this evolution continues to progress and what’s in JMU’s future.