Outreach

National Heritage Academies

For the second year, James Madison College participated in an outreach program designed to provide upcoming eight graders with exposure to college. In an effort organized by the Office of Admissions and Scholarships, over 80 middle school students from the National Heritage Academies charter school system visited campus from July 30th through August 3rd. Their stay included college preparatory sessions; academic programming, facilitated by a number of colleges across campus; and a variety of recreational activities.



James Madison College, along with Communication Arts & Sciences, College of Education, Agriculture and Natural Resources, the Writing Center, and College of Engineering each developed an academic session to expose the students to issues and topics relevant to our academic fields. Madison’s program centered on the Bill of Rights. The students simulated a modern day constitutional convention. They acted as delegates who were charged with the task of rewriting the Bill of Rights. Taking into account the current political climate, we analyzed the current Bill of Rights and asked that they propose new amendments to be added to the Bill of Rights. The students were required to defend their proposed amendments, and persuade their fellow classmates to vote in favor of their proposals. Each amendment had to pass with at least 75% of the votes.

The students of the National Heritage Academies were very energetic and eager to make new laws. Certain topics were proposed in multiple sessions, such as national graduation requirements and more rights for the children of divorced parents. It was fascinating to see what some groups voted to take out of the current Bill of Rights, such as the Right to Bear Arms, and what other groups added, such as a lower voting age. We look forward to working with the National Heritage Academies next summer.

Judge Marable’s Students of the Month

James Madison College sponsored an overnight visit for Alumnus Herman Marable’s scholarship recipients. The scholarship recipients are selected from the Flint Area Schools based on an essay and their academic aptitude. As appreciation for a job well done, James Madison brought nine of Judge Marable’s monthly winners to campus for two days of fun and exposure to college life.

While on campus, the participants viewed “La Causa” at the Wharton Center, a play portraying the struggles of migrant workers in America. They also had dinner with members of the Madison Du Bois Society, and went bowling at the Union with Du Bois Members. The participants spent the night in the residence hall, further allowing them to imagine themselves as actual university students. Lastly, the Students of the Month attended the Public Affairs lecture and ate lunch in Case Hall before returning to Flint, Michigan. They were all very excited about their trip to Michigan State University, and many plan on applying to the University when they become high school seniors.

Fifth Grade Visits

Annually, James Madison College invites fifth graders from various locations around the state to participate in a simulation of a college experience. These fifth grade students participate in a lecture given by Professor Eric Petrie on the American Core Democratic Values. The students get a chance to see what a college class is like and interact with one of James Madison’s own accomplished faculty members.

Since 2000, JMC has invited students from Baldwin Elementary from Rochester, MI to participate in this experience. More recently the program has been expanded to include students from Waverly East Intermediate School in Lansing, MI and students from Glencarrin Elementary in East Lansing.

In addition to the lecture presentation, the students get a tour Case Hall, the home of Madison College by current Madison students. And of course a visit to James Madison and MSU would not be complete without stopping by the cafeteria for lunch and the much anticipated soft serve ice cream.

The fifth grade visits to James Madison College have become a tradition that the students of Madison anticipate and look forward to. “It’s great to see these kids so excited about being on campus, for some of them, it’s the first time they’ve ever been to a college campus, and MSU is a great place to start!”

JMC Inc

New students to James Madison College collectively participate in James Madison College – Introduction to Community (JMC InC) each fall. JMC InC is a program that attempts to introduce freshmen to the college and to each other through community service and a common reading.

The week before classes start, and in the midst of activities planned by the University, Madison freshmen set out across the Lansing area in order to engage their new community through service. They travel in groups comprised of their future writing class and two upper-class Madison student-volunteers. JMC InC groups often find themselves at food pantries, homes for the elderly, pre-schools, nature preserves, and everywhere in between.

Realizing that scholastic interests bind them as well, the students are given a common reading assignment over the summer. The day before their college career commences, the students gather again to discuss the book, both as a combined incoming class and in their smaller writing sections. The summer reading, often an established text, usually addresses important issues of the day and encourages the new students to begin to think critically about the world around them.

World Languages Day

Each year James Madison College along with the College of Arts and Letters, the Center for Language Education and Research (CLEAR) and other units sponsor World Languages Day, a program for high school students, parents and high school teachers.

The Second Annual World Languages Day was held Saturday, April 22 2006. Four hundred people, including students, teachers and parents from high schools all over the state, were in attendance. Participants from as far as Beaver Island came to take part in this one-day mini conference on globalization, the importance of learning foreign languages, and the impact languages can have on future career paths. We had over 60 presenters and panelists and three dozen volunteers in addition to the staff working to pull it all together.

Participants were excited about their experiences and shared their thoughts in evaluations (perhaps due in part to great raffle prizes!). We had a response rate of 86% on student evaluations, and a heartening 100% on teacher evaluations and parent evaluations! All of these evaluations will help us continue to improve the event each year. Here are just a few of the hundreds of comments:

From students: "The diversity of the presenters makes World Languages Day worth participating in; that is my favorite part - the opportunity to learn something new for FREE!" (Sydney from Detroit); "[My favorite part was] meeting many people who are also interested in culture and languages" (Alyson from Grand Rapids); "[My favorite part was] being able to peek into other worlds and experience their culture. It's like traveling to another country, without having to pay the money. Make it two days long so we get to see more classes!" (Evan from Mason)

From teachers: "I am amazed that it remains a free activity. This is great for my students" (Cathy from Livonia); "[My favorite part was] the chance to get together with others and exchange ideas" (Anonymous); "It's all good! It was good to see the students involved outside the classroom...voluntarily!" (Jose from Tecumseh); "It was wonderful that there were sessions and workshops for both the students and teachers. Presenters put their utmost into preparation, presentation, and materials given to us" (Rosie from Holt)

From parents: "[My favorite part was] seeing MSU and gaining information and insight into what MSU has to offer to students interested in languages" (Kate from Clinton); "[My favorite part was] watching the students get excited about learning about other languages - not just the language they're currently studying. Also, the interactive activities (salsa dancing, tapas, flamenco) that complement the Spanish they're currently studying" (Connie, Beaver Island).

For further information on World Languages Day 2006 and for details on World Languages Day 2007 please visit the World Languages Day web page at http://clear.msu.edu/wld