Program Overview
Funded through the generous gift of a Madison alumnus, the Early Start Program serves first-generation and other incoming students who may benefit from additional support as they transition to James Madison College and Michigan State. The program helps acclimate students to life on campus, nurtures a sense of belonging among incoming students, and equips participants with a variety of academic tools and resources.
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.
Leadership
- Brian Johnson, Assistant Dean of Student Success & Community Engagement
Purpose
James Madison College hosted its inaugural summer bridge program in 2022 and has run annually in the fall since then.
- Acclimate students to Michigan State University and James Madison College.
- Nurture a sense of belonging among incoming students.
- Equip incoming students with the academic tools and resources they will need to be successful at MSU and JMC, along with an early start for building relationships.
- Advance Student Success at MSU and JMC by better serving first-year students that are first-generation, Pell grant eligible, high financial need and from underserved communities.
Time Frame
- 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.
Interested in news stories about the Early Start Program?
2023
Early Start Program is accepting applicants for 2023 cohort
2022
Early Start students return from D.C., program achieves intended purpose
Welcoming 21 students to the inaugural bridge program
JMC offers new summer bridge program to aid in student success