
9:00-11:30 a.m. Online Resume & Portfolio Review
If you have signed up as a virtual participant, you will receive an email with login information.
In-person students may also participate in the virtual review sessions through the following link: https://jmu-edu.zoom.us/j/86857258511
Passcodes will be provided in registration materials or on-site in the Harrison Hall 0101 & 0104.

1:00-2:00 p.m. / 3:00-4:15 p.m. Alumni-led Workshops / Masterclasses
During these small group workshops and master classes, you’ll have the opportunity to learn from alumni expertise in a variety of subject areas. Below are the virtual workshops / masterclasses. If you have signed up as a virtual participant, you will receive an email with login information near the end of October. View all the available in-person and virtual sessions on this page.

Virtual Workshops / Masterclasses

1–2pm
The Reality of Making Unscripted TV During a Pandemic
Victoria Ritz ’11, Co Executive Producer and VP of Talent & Casting Big Fish Entertainment, an MGM company
This is the inside scoop on what it takes to create and then make unscripted TV and how the landscape is changing to adapt to the new world. From conceiving and pitching concepts, to casting, and producing, this workshop will go into detail on multiple stages of the process as well as give insight on how to break into the industry! Pulling from real life examples of shows like MTV’s How Far is Tattoo Far, HGTV’s Martha Knows Best, Amazon Prime’s Regular Heroes, Snapchat’s Swae Meets World and more—learn the ins and outs behind the show.
In-person students may also participate in the virtual review sessions through the following link: https://jmu-edu.zoom.us/j/86376137487
Passcodes will be provided by email prior to SMAD Day for all registered virtual participants.

1–1:30pm
Transitioning from Student to Full-Time Journalist
Katelyn Waltemyer ’21, General Assignment & Enterprise Reporter Gannett — USA TODAY Network
Avoid culture shock by learning more of what to expect as a full-time reporter. The workshop will focus on: Work/life balance, the importance of empathy in reporting, budgeting (stories and finances), what it’s like reporting in a community that doesn’t want you there, and what employers are looking for right now.
In-person students may also participate in the virtual review sessions through the following link: https://jmu-edu.zoom.us/j/84141797578
Passcodes will be provided by email prior to SMAD Day for all registered virtual participants.

1:30-2pm
Ten Things You Can’t Learn in Design School
Jeremy Cherry ’11, Senior Digital Designer Journey Group
In this session we will run through a list of things I’ve learned from working as a digital designer for more than a decade, things I couldn’t have learned in design school. Whether it’s offering wisdom by working with real humans or solving real problems, I plan to offer practical advice to budding designers.
Jeremy Cherry is relentlessly optimistic about the power of design to make the world a better place. With over a decade of experience telling stories through brands and screens, he currently leads the digital design practice at Journey Group in Charlottesville, VA. He writes and speaks about the intersection of digital design and ethics seeking to hope back to the conversation. His work has been featured by Framer, Humane by Design, Modus, UX Collective, Sidebar and Smashing Magazine. Seeking to add hope back to the conversation, he wrote Designing Hope.
In-person students may also participate in the virtual review sessions through the following link: https://jmu-edu.zoom.us/j/86980870631
Passcodes will be provided by email prior to SMAD Day for all registered virtual participants.

3:45-4:15pm
Enjoying life and balancing work/life commitments
Evan Duffy-Ledbetter ’16, Teacher Pescadero Elementary
In this session we will run through a list of things I’ve learned from working as a digital designer for more than a decade, things I couldn’t have learned in design school. Whether it’s offering wisdom by working with real humans or solving real problems, I plan to offer practical advice to budding designers.
In-person students may also participate in the virtual review sessions through the following link: https://jmu-edu.zoom.us/j/89606074582
Passcodes will be provided by email prior to SMAD Day for all registered virtual participants.