We know you have lots to keep track of as a Hopkins student, and The Word from the Bird is here to help! Each edition compiles important deadlines, announcements, and other need-to-know information, along with helpful reminders and updates about resources, services, programs, and more.

Let us know how we can make this communication more helpful at studentaffairs@jhu.edu. If you missed a previous edition of the newsletter, you can find an archive of past issues online.

Explore internship opportunities with Life Design Lab
Join Life Design Lab’s Internship Academies for success in securing an internship! Choose one of four academy tracks: Wall Street, FLI, Biomedical Engineering, and Tech, and gain exposure to summer internship employers, get early entry to career fairs, and establish personalized connections with alumni. Applications close at 9 a.m. on Sept. 22; visit the LDL Internship Academies website to learn more and apply.

Apply for the Student Blue Jay Dialogue Innovation Fund
The Student Blue Jay Dialogue Innovation Fund awards up to $10,000 for Johns Hopkins students or teams to create dialogue-based programs. The fund supports student-led initiatives that teach respectful, effective engagement across differences. Apply by Oct. 15 for the chance to bring your dialogue project to life.

Nominate a deserving Blue Jay for the Aspirations Awards
Would you like to celebrate a member of the Hopkins community who's had a positive impact on your life? Nominate that inspiring professor, motivating mentor, or great student organization leader for an Aspirations Award! The Aspirations Awards recognize students, faculty, and staff who embody our Aspirations for Student Learning: Curiosity, Self-Awareness, Collaboration, Confidence, and Responsible Leadership. Nominations for the Fall 2025 awards are now open; learn more and nominate your candidate by Sept. 26.

Celebrate the fall sports season this Saturday at our annual Blue Jay Opening Day Tailgate! Free food, t-shirts, and giveaways will be available at the Athletics and Recreation Circle beginning at 11:15 a.m. before Men's Football faces off against John Carroll at 12 p.m. Then, Men's Soccer takes on Rutgers at 4 p.m. - stick around for additional giveaways at that game! Learn more and RSVP in Hopkins Groups, and follow @hopkinssports on Instagram for the latest event details.

Explore career pathways with Future Fest
Future Fest has officially arrived! Don't miss your chance to cook up possibilities for your future with the Life Design Lab. Meet with employers, staff, and alumni who have once been in your shoes. Register for events on Handshake now through Sept. 19. 

JayBot is back!
Our mascot has come to life as JayBot, an AI chatbot that's here to connect with you to resources, discover opportunities to get involved, and answer your questions about Hopkins. Look for important updates, resources, and more from JayBot through the semester! You can also engage with JayBot by texting 1-977-916-5759. If you previously opted out of JayBot and would like to opt back in, text “START” or “UNSTOP” to +1 (877) 916-5759. If you have questions, please email askJaybot@live.johnshopkins.edu.

Upcoming Hop Talks with the Center for Social Concern
Celebrate Constitution Day on Sept. 17 with a Hop Talk that will explore the past, present, and future of this important document. The event will include small group discussions about the Constitution’s lasting impact on our society, the importance of understanding court interpretations, and how we can each contribute to constructive dialogue about the role of the constitution in our daily lives.

And on Sept. 22, check out a Hop Talks book talk on A Beautiful Ghetto, a photo book by Baltimore photographer and artist Devin Allen. Through his compelling images and reflections, we'll discuss themes of community, struggle, and resilience.

Nominate an honorary degree recipient by Sept. 30
Nominations for honorary degree candidates are being accepted! Honorary degrees recognize extraordinary achievement in fields including academia, civic leadership, health sciences, arts, business, and university service. To learn more about the opportunity and submit your nominations by the Sept. 30 deadline, visit the Commencement website.

Resources for living off-campus
Living off campus for the first time? Join the Office of Off-Campus Housing on Sept. 17 for a workshop designed to help you thrive in your space! The workshop will cover setting up utilities, saving money on bills, maintenance issues (like clogged toilets and pests) and building positive roommate relationships.

Choose one of two times (12:30–1:30 p.m. or 5:30–6:30 p.m.) and register on Hopkins Groups!

Also happening: the Off-Campus Housing team will be on the corner of E. University Parkway and St. Paul Street from 4–6 p.m. today (Sept. 10), handing out info, resources, and swag to help you make the best of your off-campus living experience. Come say hello!

Join the Library Student Advisory Council
The Sheridan Libraries are now accepting applications for the newly reestablished Library Student Advisory Council. This is a unique opportunity for students from all class years to collaborate with library leadership on key topics such as study spaces, research resources, strategies for promoting library services, and preparing for the reopening of MSE Library in early 2027. Apply by Sept. 18 to play a meaningful role in enhancing the student experience. View more information and apply or contact Dean Elisabeth Long with any questions.

Get started with Student Disability Services
Need academic or campus accommodations for a disability or temporary injury? Getting affiliated is simple: complete the online application, submit documentation (if available), and meet with Student Disability Services (SDS). Provisional and temporary accommodations are also available. Learn more: Getting Started with SDS.

Welcome to Well-Being has begun
Move your body, calm your mind, and develop healthy habits with Welcome to Well-Being: A 30-Day Health & Well-Being Challenge. Sponsored by the Office of Health Promotion and Well-Being in partnership with Hopkins Athletics and Recreation, the challenge is free, easy, and will be done in a supportive environment of other Blue Jays working towards feeling their best. RSVP in Hopkins Groups.

This Friday: LEED Cookout
Head on over to Wyman Quad at 7 p.m. on Sept. 12 for a cookout hosted by Leadership Engagement and Experiential Development! There will be plenty of food, games, and a DJ spinning your favorite tracks. RSVP in Hopkins Groups!

Follow @jhustudentlife on Instagram
Keep up with everything happening at Homewood and beyond by following @jhustudentlife on Instagram! From events and special programming to contests and giveaways, it’s your one-stop shop for the latest in student life at Hopkins.

Lunch-and-learn sessions for second-year students
Sophomore September continues with two lunch-and-learn sessions next week. On Sept. 17, learn about educational opportunities available from the Global Education Office, the Pava Center, and HOUR Undergraduate Research. Then, on Sept. 18, learn all you need to know about moving off campus, from housing to dining. 

As a new academic year begins, we'd like to share some resources available to support you: