Irving – October 12, 2026 -- The American Conference Board of Directors voted unanimously to admit James Madison University (JMU) as a full member, with competition to begin no later than July 1, 2028. The deal adds media inventory to the conference's existing platform and raises distributions for current members.

Richmond, Va. – October 07, 2026 -- James Madison University has become Virginia's first R2 research university to join the Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation's Lab-to-Launch initiative, extending a statewide technology-transfer program beyond its original six R1 universities. JMU President Jim Schmidt and VIPC President and CEO Joe Benevento signed a ceremonial Memorandum of Understanding in Richmond on October 6.