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Events

Come together around ideas

Find public gatherings and conversations across the JMU community. All Event times are shown in Eastern Time.

Cover for JMU Alumni Leadership Summit 2026

JMU Alumni Leadership Summit 2026

A full-day gathering for alumni who lead teams, organizations, and community initiatives. The program combines practical workshops on decision-making, organizational culture, and change leadership with candid conversations featuring alumni from the private, public, and nonprofit sectors. Guests will have dedicated time for peer roundtables and structured networking, plus an evening reception overlooking downtown Washington. Breakfast, lunch, and reception refreshments are included. Come prepared with one current leadership challenge—the day is designed to send every participant home with new relationships and a concrete next step.

Ends

The Wharf Conference Center, Washington, DC

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Cover for Innovation & Entrepreneurship Showcase

Innovation & Entrepreneurship Showcase

Meet alumni founders, student teams, and regional partners building the next generation of products and services. This evening showcase features short founder pitches, live product demonstrations, and an open exhibition where guests can speak directly with the people behind each idea. Whether you are an experienced operator, a curious technologist, a potential mentor, or simply interested in what is being built across the JMU community, the event offers an easy way to make useful connections. Light dinner and refreshments will be served, and an audience-choice recognition will close the program.

Ends

Hotel Madison & Shenandoah Valley Conference Center, Harrisonburg, VA

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Cover for Homecoming Alumni Weekend Reception

Homecoming Alumni Weekend Reception

Return to campus for an autumn evening built around the best part of Homecoming: reconnecting with the people who made JMU feel like home. Alumni and guests are invited to a relaxed outdoor reception with seasonal food, live acoustic music, and plenty of space for class-year and affinity-group meetups. The program is intentionally light so old friends can catch up and new connections can form. Faculty and campus partners will share a few brief updates, and volunteer hosts will help guests find reunion groups. Smart-casual attire is suggested; the reception will move indoors in case of rain.

Ends

Festival Lawn, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA

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Cover for Career Mentoring Breakfast: Make Your Next Move

Career Mentoring Breakfast: Make Your Next Move

Start the morning with focused, useful career conversations. Participants will rotate through two small-group mentoring sessions covering career transitions, moving into management, building a professional network, and communicating transferable skills. Alumni mentors represent a mix of industries and career stages. The format is designed for honest questions rather than formal presentations. A guided worksheet will help attendees identify their next step and the people who can help them take it. Continental breakfast and coffee are provided; bring a résumé or LinkedIn profile if you would like direct feedback.

Ends

Richmond Marriott Downtown, Richmond, VA

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Cover for Shenandoah Community Service Day

Shenandoah Community Service Day

Spend a morning caring for one of the landscapes that defines the Shenandoah Valley. Alumni, families, and friends will work with local conservation partners to plant native trees, remove litter, and restore sections of a riverside trail. Projects are available for several activity levels, and team leaders will provide tools and instruction. After the work session, volunteers are invited to stay for a casual picnic lunch and a short talk about watershed health. Closed-toe shoes and weather-appropriate layers are required. Refillable water stations, gloves, and all project supplies will be available on site.

Ends

Shenandoah River Greenway, Elkton, VA

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