Ava Parson is a James Madison College senior, graduating in May 2026 with a degree in Comparative Cultures & Politics.
Coming into James Madison College, I had a strong interest in community engagement and outreach, as well as educational equity. As a senior, I recently had the privilege of mobilizing these interests and leading the 2026 Pre-Residential Immersive Madison Experience Leadership Academy.
PRIME is a pre-college program for high school students interested in law, public policy, international affairs and social sciences. The program was created with the intention to serve the Lansing School District as an alternative spring break option, then expand to the Ingham County area, while helping students envision themselves on a college campus.
Over the last four years, James Madison College has hosted a cohort of students on campus for our annual PRIME Leadership Academy. During the academy, students spend a week in-person at JMC connecting with current students and faculty, receiving important college and career-readiness skills and learning about college life here at MSU.
This year, we had 26 students in attendance for the Leadership Academy, representing schools including Everett, J.W. Sexton, Eastern, East Lansing, Okemos, Haslett and DeWitt High School. Each of these students brought unique perspectives to the program and shaped it into an incredible experience for all.
Students had the opportunity to attend four lectures led by JMC faculty, including conversations on immigration and belonging in the U.S., understanding Black Existentialism through enslaved peoples’ narratives, connecting globalization and fast fashion and employing the prisoner and security dilemmas in foreign policy.
During the lecture on globalization and fast fashion, students checked one another’s clothing and shoe tags to see where each item was manufactured. They then compiled a list of countries where most of their clothing was made and engaged in a meaningful conversation about labor regulations, the ethics of fast fashion and sustainability in the fashion industry. The students and I found this activity highly interesting and relevant in today’s political context.
Students also had the opportunity to participate in a number of activities and presentations related to public affairs. For instance, we heard from the Refugee Development Center about U.S. immigration, asylum and refugee rights. We also visited MSU College of Law for a quick tour and engaged in a mock trial.
When designing this program, my supervisor Jahshua Smith and I were committed to selecting speakers and activities that aligned with the interests of our students. Prior to the Leadership Academy, many of our applicants expressed interest in immigration policy, globalization and mental health as it relates to social media. Although it was difficult to cover all of these interests in one week of programming, we were able to cover a wide variety of topics that our students found interesting and engaging.
My absolute favorite part of the week was the closing ceremony. During this ceremony, each student received a certificate of completion for attending the program and as recognition for their hard work and engagement throughout the week. Students also each had the opportunity to give personal testimonies on the program and the impact it had on them.
Students noted that PRIME had helped them feel empowered to pursue a college education, that they’re excited to attend the program next year, and that the PRIME community made them feel safe and welcomed at James Madison College. Hearing these testimonies was a highly emotional experience that I wouldn’t trade for anything.
I will carry the memories I made this week with me for the rest of my life. Engaging with and learning from this year’s cohort of PRIME students has been the most incredible gift, and there are no words expansive enough to express my gratitude for this program. I’m excited to see the PRIME program continue to thrive and serve the greater Lansing community in the coming years!
Learn more about the PRIME pre-college program. This story originally appeared on the James Madison College website.
