JMU College of Arts and Letters

05/28/2026

Congratulations to Lauren K. Alleyne, Director of Furious Flower Poetry Center, on her incredible achievement!

Selected through a highly competitive national process, Alleyne is among 31 fellows chosen from 958 applicants nationwide.

05/27/2026

We are excited to announce more of the new faculty you’ll see around campus next fall:

Abby Wightman will be the new Academic Unit Head of Sociology & Anthropology. She earned her Ph.D. from University of Oklahoma, and her research focuses on Indigenous communities in Oklahoma, particularly surrounding gender, kinship, identity and social change; as well as pedagogy and community-engaged learning.
"I’m really looking forward to being part of a large and vibrant department and to collaborating with faculty and students who are doing thoughtful, engaged work in the classroom and in the community. "

Sarah Hagelin will be the new Academic Unit Head of English. She earned her Ph.D. from the University of Virginia, and her research focuses on US film and television, feminist media studies, and popular culture.
"I’m delighted to join the JMU English department and to lead a group of such talented scholars, writers, and teachers! The English department teaches students to explore the world through critical thinking and storytelling – I’m excited to share in that work. "

Angela Hayslett will be an Assistant Professor in the School of Media Arts & Design. She earned her M.B.A and her M.S. at JMU, and her research focuses on the future of sport as it is shaped by systems, risk, and technology, while tapping into her broadcasting roots.
"JMU is forward-focused, and that aligns with my work on the future of sport. As a Double Duke employed at JMU for nearly 16 years, I’m proud to be part of building what comes next with students and colleagues across campus and within the sport community."

Please join us in giving them a warm welcome! If you missed the previous announcements, make sure to check them out at the links below.

https://www.facebook.com/JMUCAL/posts/pfbid02wiWyttxcLsHkTjyJQVdGVYc9EDJv1S6nnD8pK9mu8cgtnVtV55EuQ5xpbNbCfXa8l
https://www.facebook.com/JMUCAL/posts/pfbid0ifogpx4HfC25cpy8he9F8hUPie7opGpbYCMuM7zv7SfbikuzHyaXpppEuwoVRSXKl

05/14/2026

Twenty photos, a million memories — today, the Class of 2026 became JMU alumni! Congratulations to our incredible graduates 💜💛

05/13/2026

Congratulations to Samantha Elizabeth Wong, the 2026 Outstanding Student for Writing, Rhetoric and Technical Communication and the College of Arts and Letters overall, as well as one of the Class of 2026 Valedictorians!

💜 What is the most important thing you learned during your time at JMU?
“The most important thing I’ve learned during my time at JMU is to seek out support and help. I’ve had some of the most supportive advisors, professors, and friends throughout my time here, and I’m eternally grateful for their guidance. That is also some advice I would give to incoming first-years: don’t be afraid to ask for help! Find a community that will support and advocate for you.”

JMU Writing, Rhetoric & Technical Communication - WRTC

05/12/2026

Congratulations to Owen Wilcox, the 2026 Outstanding Student for the School of Media Arts & Design!

After graduation, Owen will pursue opportunities in the music industry and continue to write music and make videos.

💜 What is your favorite JMU memory?
“Premiering my short film Take 5 at Court Square Theater last week. Our crew worked incredibly hard to make the film over the whole semester and being able to watch it on the big screen with an audience who reacted to the story in real time was so, so special.”

Photographer: Ashley Dondes
JMU School of Media Arts & Design - SMAD

05/11/2026

Congratulations to Graceann Reynolds, the 2026 Outstanding Student for Communication Studies!

After graduation, Graceann will be joining FamFluence Talent Management as a Talent Coordinator and hopes to serve on the SCOM Alumni board or CAL Alumni board in the future.

💜 What is your favorite JMU memory?
“My favorite memory at JMU was when I found out I was accepted into the SCOM major. I remember crying tears of joy over that email in the middle of the quad because I realized I had genuinely found my place! It was a sappy moment, but it was the start of so many other amazing memories.”

💛 What advice would you give to incoming first-years?
“Four years go by too fast! Get involved in as much as you can, and don't be afraid to ask for help! JMU has so many incredible professors and a strong alumni network who are genuinely willing to support you. It's something I wish I had taken advantage of sooner.”

JMU School of Communication Studies

05/11/2026

Congratulations to Ivy Ridenhour, the 2026 Outstanding Student for English!

💜 What is your favorite JMU memory?
“My favorite memory at JMU was putting on a workshop of Meat Cube, a play I wrote, with the help of my classmates. It combined a lot of the things I care about, writing, theater, and storytelling with my friends.”

💛 What is the most important thing you learned during your time at JMU?
“The most important thing I learned at JMU was: if you don’t know what you want to do, start by finding the people you want to do things with.”

JMU English

05/08/2026

Congratulations to Danny Postlethwait, the 2026 Outstanding Student for Modern Foreign Languages!

After graduation, Danny will pursue a Master of Music at the University of Missouri Columbia on a full-ride graduate assistantship.

💜 What advice would you give to incoming first-years?
“A piece of advice that I would give to incoming first-years is that sometimes you need to do it alone. It can be quite scary to do something that you are unsure about, but it will work out if you do it. A mantra that I have had for the past couple of years is “Do it scared” and this is something that I will live by from now on.”

05/07/2026

Congratulations to Helen Alexander, the 2026 Outstanding Student for Justice Studies!

After graduation, Helen will intern at a criminal defense law firm and apply to law school in the fall.

💜 What is the most important thing you learned during your time at JMU?
“The value of actively engaging in my education, especially by asking questions, attending office hours, and building relationships with my professors. Those connections not only strengthened my understanding of the material but also made my classes more meaningful and enjoyable.”

JMU Justice Studies

05/06/2026

Congratulations to Anali Helena Bellot, the 2026 Outstanding Student for Public Administration!

After graduation, Anali will finish her fifth-year master's degree in public administration here at JMU.

💜 What is the most important thing you learned during your time at JMU?
“My time at JMU has taught me the true meaning behind the saying "it takes a village". My life has been completely and irrevocably changed by the people and professors I’ve met here. I could not be more grateful for the growth I’ve undergone and the village I’ll be leaving with.”

💛 What advice would you give to incoming first-years?
“My biggest piece of advice for first-years is that college is what you make of it. So don’t be afraid to get involved with different orgs, put yourself out there, and seek opportunities for growth.”

05/05/2026

Congratulations to Gianna Catherine Baorto, the 2026 Outstanding Student for International Affairs!

After graduation, Gianna will finish her fifth-year master's degree in public administration here at JMU, then commission as an officer in the US Air Force in 2027.

💜 What is your favorite JMU memory?
“Going camping with the Club Track team at Switzer Lake!”

💛 What advice would you give to incoming first-years?
“Surround yourself with people who uplift you. Try new things, join clubs, and find your niche; JMU has so much to offer.”