How JMU is reimagining internships for real-world impact
In this episode, we spoke with Patrice Ludwig, Interim Assistant Vice Provost for Research and Innovation at James Madison University (JMU). We’ll unpack how JMU is reshaping internships through its transdisciplinary X-Labs and a pioneering partnership with industry.
JMU prepares students to thrive in diverse teams, embrace leadership flexibility, and gain the “power skills” employers value most. From rethinking traditional career pathways to tackling the challenge of retaining talent locally, this episode offers a fresh perspective on how universities can create meaningful, future-ready experiences for their students.
You can read a summary below, and listen to the full interview in our podcast:
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Summary
The evolving landscape of higher education has prompted institutions worldwide to re-evaluate traditional models and explore innovative ways to engage students. James Madison University (JMU) in Virginia, renowned for its groundbreaking approach, has successfully pioneered an internship model that bridges academia with industry. This transformation not only benefits students but also contributes to regional retention of talent, addressing the issues of brain drain and enhancing local economies.
The motivation behind innovative education
Patrice Ludwig’s journey into the intersection of academia, innovation, and engagement is inspired by a continuous quest to ensure educational and research activities are genuinely impactful. Questioning whether her teaching methods and research projects were effective led her to collaborate with diverse experts and industries. A significant learning moment came from a commercial venture failure, which highlighted to her the potential pathways students could explore outside conventional academic routes. This realisation drove her to broaden students’ awareness of various career opportunities and encourage non-linear career paths. Emphasising the importance of student engagement, Patrice asserts that innovation in education should ultimately serve student growth.
The unique internship model at JMU
JMU’s model, particularly through its transdisciplinary platform, JMU X-Labs, is a standout. At X-Labs, the absence of academic silos fosters a collaborative environment where students and faculty across disciplines like engineering, nursing, and biology work together. This collaborative framework enables the development of key “power skills” such as problem identification and conflict management, highly valued by employers.
The model’s uniqueness is evident in its integration with industry, as demonstrated in a partnership with the global education tech company, Ellucian. This collaboration led to the creation of a novel internship model called Whole-Brain Engineering: Students undergo a 15-week design thinking course, working on industry-aligned projects, before commencing their internships. This preparation ensures that students are well-equipped to take on leadership roles and contribute effectively from day one.
Building trust and cross-disciplinary collaboration
A significant component of the program is the diverse, cross-functional team dynamic introduced both to students and faculty. By incorporating roles such as ethicists, storytellers, and user experience designers, alongside coders and machine learning experts, the internship ensures a comprehensive team approach. Faculty and industry partners meet weekly, creating a learning environment where everyone, including lecturers, learns from one another. This collaboration has proven beneficial, allowing faculty members to incorporate diverse teaching methods into their own disciplines and students to respect and understand various professional roles.
Addressing challenges in aligning goals
While transformative, the model faces certain challenges, primarily concerning the differing paces of academia and industry and funding constraints. Industry often operates at a quicker pace than academic institutions, necessitating careful expectation management. Additionally, the model requires substantial resources and commitment from both academic and industry partners. Patrice suggests transparent communication and a willingness to adapt are crucial for overcoming these challenges. For instance, smaller companies are encouraged to collaborate and share resources, allowing them to implement similar internship models on a manageable scale.
Enhancing regional talent retention
JMU also addresses brain drain by creating opportunities for students to remain in Virginia post-graduation. By fostering an environment that encourages local employment, including satellite offices for larger city-based businesses, the university bolsters regional economic development. Programs that train small businesses to effectively incorporate interns and provide competitive compensation have proven successful in retaining local talent. Additionally, fostering an entrepreneurial ecosystem enables students to consider local opportunities for starting their own businesses.
A roadmap for others
For universities considering similar models, Patrice advises starting with open conversations among multiple stakeholders. Incremental steps and pilot projects can gradually build into significant institutional changes. Maintaining an honest and receptive dialogue among academia and industry partners is crucial in creating successful, sustainable, and impactful internship programs.
The James Madison University approach to reimagining internships exemplifies how academic institutions can innovate to enhance student experiences, contribute to regional economic stability, and address contemporary educational challenges. Through a detailed understanding of JMU’s model, other institutions may find inspiration to explore and adopt similar strategies, ultimately benefiting students, academia, and industry alike.
Ready for more?
At the London Interdisciplinary School, educators are pioneering a new form of higher education that breaks away from traditional disciplines and encourages holistic thinking. Hear all about it in our episode A new education paradigm at the London Interdisciplinary School.
In our episode, Developing future-ready talent with TU Dublin and Digital Skillnet, Claire McBride, Convene Project Lead and Head of Enterprise Academy at Technological University Dublin, shares insights on the 13-year partnership between TU Dublin and Digital Skillnet, highlighting how their co-created, accredited programs bridge theoretical knowledge and practical application, fostering talent development and workforce readiness.
Stay tuned for the next episode on this series and don’t forget to follow us on your preferred podcast platform!
