JMU Research, Economic Development and Innovation

10/23/2026

Welcome back to ! would like to recognize Kevin Phaup, faculty member in the JMU School of Art, Design and Art History, for his research project, AI for I AM. Using a custom-designed AI GPT, users can describe their dream and answer a series of questions, resulting in a written interpretation based on the Christian bible, in addition to a Christian theological database and a Christian symbolic database. Along with that description, the AI generates a key scene from the dream, which the user can tailor using uploaded images and responses to a series of iterative questions.

To facilitate this shift in scholarship, Kevin complemented his training in architecture and design with a certificate in AI Design. The course covered a broad understanding of what AI is, what’s happening in the field of design, and practical applications of AI tools. Once he completed the course, Kevin experimented with the technology, leading to the current version of the platform.

When asked about what sparked development of the program, Kevin identified his students as the motivation for his research: “Recognizing that AI tools are forcing their way into the design fields, like it or not, I realized it's my job to better understand AI and AI tools and guide our students toward more meaningful uses. I launched with a simple question of how we should be leveraging this technology to make our work stronger rather than as a cheap shortcut to less than desirable outcomes?”

To learn more about Kevin, visit https://www.jmu.edu/sadah/faculty-and-staff/faculty/phaup-kevin.shtml

JMU Arts

10/22/2026

What's tomorrow? The Madison Celebration of Research and Scholarship!

is looking forward to recognizing the 2026 Provost Award Winners for Excellence in Research and Scholarship, the Madison Scholars Award recipients, and the inaugural Discovery to Impact Award winner.

1:30-3:30 PM
Hall of Presidents (top floor of D-Hall)

Hope to see you there!

10/16/2026

Welcome home, Dukes!

JMU is such a special place, from the peaks of the Blue Ridge Mountains in the distance to the doors held open for us all over campus; this spot is home like no other. But it’s not just a matter of location. What makes JMU truly special are the people.

That friend who helped you study for a tough exam, the professor who mentored you through a challenging research project – our relationships are what make the Madison Experience so memorable, and REDI hopes you get the chance to purple out with dear friends and faculty members alike while you’re in Harrisonburg this weekend. Enjoy Homecoming! Go Dukes!

10/14/2026

invites you to the 2026 Madison Celebration of Research and Scholarship on Friday, Oct. 23, from 1:30-3:30 p.m. in the Hall of Presidents. Honor research excellence, network with colleagues, and celebrate outstanding achievements with JMU’s vibrant scholarly community.

Register for the reception by Monday, Oct. 19: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/YVxivyCD6g

10/12/2026

recently traveled to Washington, D.C. with JMU College of Education Dean Mark L’Esperance, visiting members of Virginia’s Congressional delegation.

JMU stands behind the value of its education. It is an honor sharing the university’s great work with leaders on Capitol Hill.

10/06/2026

REDI celebrates the launch of The JMU Guarantees!

On Friday, Oct. 2, James Madison University launched The JMU Guarantees, a two-part promise signaling JMU’s commitment to student success post-graduation. The first part of this promise, the Employment Guarantee, says that if a bachelor's degree graduate has not achieved a positive career outcome within one year of graduation, JMU will provide additional support, including career advising, resume assistance, networking, and more, at no additional cost. The second part of the promise, the Employer Guarantee, provides coaching and continuing education for recent undergraduate alumni when employers identify skill gaps.

At the announcement, President Jim Schmidt said, “We have tremendous confidence in our students and in the education they receive at JMU. The Guarantees are our way of putting that confidence into action. We're making a public commitment that our support won't end at commencement. We'll continue walking alongside our graduates as they build their careers, serve their communities, and pursue their goals.”

The JMU Guarantees are a core initiative of The Madison Promise, the strategic plan leading JMU into 2032 and beyond into 2040: https://www.jmu.edu/madison-promise/index.shtml

10/02/2026

It’s time for ! Today’s shout-out from goes to Dr. Kirsty McKenzie, faculty member in JMU Geology and Environmental Science. With a team of four students, she is currently conducting research in the Shenandoah National Park involving geological mapping of bedrock and surficial deposits within the McGaheysville 7.5’ quadrangle, Virginia.

Funded by an Educational Component of the National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program (EDMAP) grant, Kirsty’s work provides two years of support for paid undergraduate student research experiences. During the spring and summer of 2026, these undergraduates were trained in digital mapping techniques and GIS-based analysis, working collaboratively to collect field data in the mapping region. This fall, they will be co-presenting a scientific poster of their preliminary results at the Geological Society of America Annual Meeting (GSA Connects) in Denver, CO.

When asked about why student research is so important, Kirsty answered, “Through this project, JMU undergraduate students have had the opportunity to take ownership of a field-based research project in geology, in addition to honing their field skills through the use of digital mapping techniques. These types of research experiences provide opportunities for students to advance their critical thinking skills and gain confidence in their abilities to make scientific observations and interpretations.”

To learn more about Kirsty’s work, visit https://kirstymckenzie.weebly.com/

JMU College of Science and Mathematics

09/25/2026

Welcome back to ! Today, is recognizing Dannette “Dani” Murray, academic unit head in the Department of Educational Foundations & Exceptionalities in the JMU College of Education.

When asked about the ethos driving her work, Dani shared, “A hallmark of my administrative leadership has been breaking down silos and building innovative educator preparation pathways that respond directly to workforce needs while ensuring strong fiscal stewardship and strategic resource development. Throughout my career, I have overseen initiatives supporting traditional and nontraditional teacher candidates, alternative licensure programs, Grow Your Own Teacher pipeline efforts, and clinical partnerships designed to address persistent teacher shortages while expanding access to the profession. Currently, I serve as project manager for a Grow Your Own initiative that supports provisionally licensed teachers in completing professional studies and special education licensure competencies through asynchronous modules developed by JMU faculty and paired with intensive, job-embedded support in partnership with school divisions across Virginia."

She continued, “A central focus of my scholarly work has been securing and managing external funding to advance special education practice and teacher preparation. Among the initiatives of which I am most proud is Project SPEED (Supporting Provisional Exceptional Educators Development), which provided tuition support and preparation pathways for provisionally licensed special education teachers in response to long-standing workforce shortages across the Commonwealth. Building on the success of Project SPEED, I led a collaborative effort with Albemarle County Public Schools and Fairfax County Public Schools to develop a $924,899 Grow Your Own Registered Apprenticeship Program proposal, which, although not funded, established a framework for future submissions. More recently, I helped lead the submission of a $1,140,914 U.S. Department of Education Personnel Preparation grant to further strengthen the early childhood special education workforce pipeline.”

To learn more about Dani’s professional interests, visit https://www.jmu.edu/coe/people/murray-dannette.shtml

09/18/2026

Happy ! JMU School of Communication Studies faculty member Sarah Cabán’s examines the role of interpersonal communication in health prevention, management, and survivorship. Her recent work in Health Communication, Cancer Medicine, JNCI Cancer Spectrum, and the Journal of Aging and Physical Activity addresses mental health promotion, physical activity intervention evaluation, and cancer decision-making. Her current research investigates how young adults’ mental health disclosures and parents’ supportive communication attempts influence one another.

She is working on a grant proposal for submission to the American Foundation for Su***de Prevention. This project would use adolescents’ lived experiences to develop and evaluate a theory-informed, theatre-based su***de prevention intervention designed to reduce stigma, strengthen help-seeking, and improve su***de prevention knowledge among adolescents and their parents.
When asked about the grant application process, Sarah shared: “The grant application process can feel a little daunting as an early-career faculty member, but having the right support has made a huge difference. Holly Yanacek, the [JMU College of Arts and Letters] grants specialist, and Kincaid [McCullough] and Brent [Arehart] at [the Office of Sponsored Programs] have made identifying opportunities and developing proposals feel much more manageable.

“One thing I’d recommend to other early-career faculty is taking advantage of grant-writing workshops and resources on campus. I participated in the College of Arts & Letters’ Grant Writing Academy in Spring 2026, and it helped me better understand how to identify the right opportunities, break down a grant call, and build a strong proposal. My biggest takeaway has been that you don’t have to navigate the process on your own.”

Please visit Sarah’s Google Scholar page to learn more about her publications: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=nbO_T30AAAAJ&hl=en

09/02/2026

Congratulations to James Madison University Psychology faculty member Curtis Bradley on this early-career research recognition from the American Psychological Association (APA)! Outstanding research conducted in partnership with undergraduate students is a hallmark of the JMU Experience.

Congratulations to JMU Psychology faculty member Curtis Bradley on receiving a 2026 merit-based early-career research award from the American Psychological Association (APA)!

Presented at the APA’s annual conference in Washington, D.C., the award recognizes excellence in early-career research. Bradley’s research, conducted alongside his undergraduate students, explores “U.S. Magnitude and Caffeine Dose Effects on Sign and Goal Tracking.”

As part of the recognition, Bradley was also invited to present his research at the Early Career Investigator poster session, giving his work an additional national spotlight.

We’re proud to celebrate this recognition of Bradley’s research and the opportunities JMU psychology students have to contribute to research and make an impact beyond campus!

Congratulate him in the comments!