James Madison University School of Professional & Continuing Education

On this What We're Reading Wednesday, we're revisiting an article we loved from Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance, "JMU's Lifelong Learning Institute: Combatting the Loneliness in Downtown Harrisonburg and Beyond." The article features interviews with Barbara E. Hetzel, PCC and Steve Eiserman (the LLI Hospitality Chair). Take a look here: https://lnkd.in/gXHnJxtS

Over the past few weeks, I’ve had the honor of representing JMU’s School of Professional & Continuing Education (SPCE) at events that showcase our dedication to lifelong learning and workforce development. From 2 trips to New Orleans to Richmond and right here in Harrisonburg, these experiences allowed me to tell SPCE’s story, connect with dedicated colleagues from across the U.S., and celebrate our partnerships and community. Some highlights include the UPCEA/ACCRAOs Convergence Conference in New Orleans, CAEL’s annual conference in New Orleans with the entire JMU Adult Degree Program team, the Virginia Chamber of Commerce’s Higher Education and Workforce Development annual summit, presenting our public-private workforce development partnership with Merck and Blue Ridge Community at JMU’s Economic Development Summit, celebrating our new partnership with Center for Global Engagement at JMU and Kyungdong University, JMU’s Homecoming—where SPCE hosted a tailgate and JMU Youth Programs hosted cookie decorating during Quadfest—and yesterday’s inspiring Women for Madison event. I’m deeply grateful to serve as Dean of JMU School of Professional & Continuing Education, working alongside an incredible team to advance JMU’s mission. Here’s to continued growth, collaboration, and the joy of learning together. #Dukes #JMU #SPCE #lifelonglearning #JMUHomecoming #WomenforMadison

Start wearing purple! SPCE loved celebrating #JMUHomecoming this weekend, from wearing purple and gold to work on Friday, to cookie decorating at QuadFest, to tailgating and watching the game. Thanks JMU Alumni Association for all you do to make Homecoming so fun. Nicholas Swartz, Haley Iden, Sarah MacDonald, Daniel Robinson, Rachel (Rae) Vaughn, Amanda Kellogg, Jess Stallings

If you're disappointed you missed the start of this class, don't worry! We have more FPM courses coming. Check out the schedule here: https://lnkd.in/eG2wRJMr

SPCE's Professional Development team travelled to the State Operated Programs annual meeting yesterday to deliver a workshop that enhances the traditional SWOT analysis with principles of design thinking. Dr. Amanda Kellogg, Jess Stallings, and Muna Onuora had a great time learning about the incredible work SOP is doing. Do you have a retreat or training session coming up? Professional Development can support you with customized workshops. Email [email protected] to learn more.

For our latest What We're Reading Wednesday Rachel (Rae) Vaughn shares her recommendation: "In a Dark, Dark Wood, by Ruth Ware, is a thriller that takes place in the English countryside. The main character, Nora, gets invited by an old friend to a weekend bachelorette party. Reluctantly, she decides to go. Instant creepy vibes are given when the house ends up being in a remote location, in an area with no cell service, and is made up of huge glass walls. Early in the book, one of the characters mentions that it feels like there is an audience in the woods and that the inside of the house is a stage. Super spooky! The book is split into two story lines- the party (past tense) and the hospital (present tense). The reader also learns about Nora's past and what caused her and her best friend to drift apart. If you're looking for a good fall thriller with lots of twists and turns, I recommend In a Dark, Dark Wood." We love a good thriller, especially in October. What spooky books would you recommend for us? Drop your suggestions in the chat!

Members of our team had a great experience at JMU Office of Economic & Community Development Shenandoah Valley Collaborative Economic Summit (aka the NORA Summit). Thanks to all the organizers, sponsors, and participants for making it a day filled with collaboration and inspiration. Pictured: Dean Nicholas Swartz delivering his presentation "A Model for Public Private Partnerships in Workforce Development" and Dr. Amanda Kellogg facilitating the lunchtime discussion.

Our team has diverse interests and areas of expertise! Check out Dr. Amanda Kellogg's interview on With Good Reason Radio, which was recorded last October. Dr. Kellogg discusses the history of the Macbeth curse, just in time for spooky season.

Next up on What We're Reading Wednesday, Daniel Robinson, Academic Unit Head and Director of the Adult Degree Program, shares this recommendation for Rubin Carter's Eye of the Hurricane: My Path from Darkness to Freedom. Daniel says: "This book, published just a year before his death, is an autobiography outlining the stunning hardship and triumphs of Rubin "Hurricane" Carter, a professional boxer who was falsely accused and wrongfully convicted of a triple homicide in the 1960s. Carter's life is a testimony to resilience and perseverance, and he describes for readers his hard-won personal philosophy that enabled his endurance of nearly 20 years of wrongful imprisonment. Carter also interrogates America's penal system and legacy of racist policies and attitudes that affected is home and family of origin, and ultimately led to his false imprisonment. This book is for anyone interested in looking closely at developing resilience in the face of unthinkable odds and dehumanization, as well as the systems that support such injustice." What great books are you reading? Share your recommendations in the comments!

Last Friday, I taught the first session of Foundations of Project Management & Team Communication for James Madison University School of Professional & Continuing Education and a corporate client. The opportunity to teach professionals who are engaged, and will apply their learning in their work the next day is fulfilling, fun and satisfying to leverage my extensive experience managing teams, projects and outcomes across local nonprofits, government and global companies. You can still sign up for the next offering held virtually - see below - and 2 in-person offerings in 2025 in Roanoke and Harrisonburg, VA. Check out the link below to sign up today! How you proceed matters. Let's talk it over at X-Roads Advisory #workforce #workforcedevelopment #jmu #harrisonburg #roanoke #SPCE #lifelonglearning #training #teaching #corporate #corporatetraining #projectmanagement #teams #communication https://lnkd.in/eVgFg8eE