Early Start Program

Support for First-Generation Students

Move to campus a week early, build genuine friendships and start strong at James Madison College. Early Start is a free program for first-generation college students.

The Early Start Program serves first-generation college students who may benefit from additional support as they transition to James Madison College and Michigan State. Since Fall 2022, Early Start has welcomed students to Case Hall a week before classes begin and offered programming that prepares them for academic success at JMC and beyond. 

Early Start participants will:

• Receive support to acclimate to life at JMC
• Have the opportunity to connect with other incoming first-gen students, as well as JMC faculty, staff and current students
• Receive academic tools and resources they need to be successful at MSU

Early Start is a free program generously funded by JMC alumnus Troy Calkins (IR '88) through the Troy Calkins Student Success Fund.

• The 2026 Early Start program will take place from Aug. 22-28, 2026. Applications to join the Fall 2026 program have now closed. Contact Program Director Dr. Brian Johnson (john3582@msu.edu) with questions.
• Program participants move into Case Hall in August a week before classes begin to engage in activities and class sessions. Towards the end of the week, Early Start students transition to Fall Welcome activities for all incoming students.
• Example of Early Start's week-long itinerary:
  • Day 1: Students move in to Case Hall, family lunch and meet & greet
  • Day 2: Introduction to JMC classes, campus scavenger hunt, tour of East Lansing
  • Day 3: Breakfast chat, JMC classes, campus tour, community gathering at Hawk Island
  • Day 4: Michigan Capitol and Hall of Justice tours, Lansing farmers market visit
  • Day 5: Professionalism & networking session, college life morning breakfast chat
  • Day 6: JMC student organization & resource fair, JMC college-wide Colloquium
• Upon conclusion of the summer program, students will transition into the Madison Academic Diversity Initiative (MADI) program. We will continue to work with students throughout the academic year and their undergraduate education.

MSU programs and activities are not restricted based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, national origin or other protected personal identity. The Early Start program is open to all incoming first-generation JMC college students without restriction or preference based on protected personal identity.

Contact

Have questions? Contact Program Director Dr. Brian Johnson at john3582@msu.edu.