Humans of Madison

Kaylee Mills is a first-generation college student, meaning neither of her parents completed a four-year degree. Mills is a part of the Centennial Scholars program, which she said has been instrumental for her success in college. Today, she shares the highs and lows of her four years at JMU with culture editors Amy Needham and Charlotte Matherly.

Jack Zhao is a sophomore bioengineering major and international student from China studying prosthetics — and it’s all because of what he calls his “origin story.” Jack was paralyzed at 3 years old when he was attacked by a former security guard at his school and experienced a spinal cord injury. The doctors called his 2-year recovering “a miracle,” and while he has permanent nerve damage to his right side, he’s able to move and walk again — something he said 99% of paralysis patients won’t experience. Now at JMU, he’s motivated by his experience to find a cure for paralysis.

Chloe Zhou is a senior psychology major from China who came to the U.S. six years ago for school. With JMU Family Weekend just around the corner, Chloe shares her perspective as an international student and how she combats homesickness.

LeAnna Headley, a senior social work major, started Our Amazing Fighters, a nonprofit for pediatric cancer. Through care packages for kids and their families, LeAnna meets kids all over the country, but she hasn’t forgotten JMU — she helped start Dukes Against Childhood Cancer.

JMU held a long-awaited — and somewhat controversial — in-person commencement ceremony for the class of 2020. After attending the graduation she waited a year and a half to experience, alumna Corbyn Harris shares her thoughts on the event and her life as a pandemic graduate.