Morrison Bruce Center

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The Morrison Bruce Center empowers women and girls to lead confident, healthy lives through promoting physical activity, providing education, and fostering community.

10/09/2026

Meet today’s staff spotlight, Molly Goggin! Molly is a senior at JMU and is part of the EmpowHER Committee, where she is excited to connect with the women in the program and become more involved in the MBC community.

Molly decided to join the MBC after learning more about its mission and the Center’s involvement in the community. She was inspired by the programs the MBC offers and wanted to be part of an organization that creates meaningful opportunities and experiences for women and girls.

Outside of the MBC, Molly enjoys spending time outdoors, reading, and creating art. When it comes to staying active, her favorite activities are walking and swimming. We’re so excited to welcome Molly to the Morrison Bruce Center and look forward to all she will bring to the EmpowHER Committee and our MBC community!

10/06/2026

Our recent staff leadership dinner brought our team together for meaningful team bonding activities and guided group discussions that encouraged reflection, collaboration, and shared leadership. The conversations highlighted the strength of our community and the commitment our staff brings to advancing the MBC mission. It was a valuable opportunity to connect, learn from one another, and continue building the foundation for impactful work ahead!

10/02/2026

Today, we are highlighting our Healthy Kids program here at the Morrison Bruce Center! Healthy Kids is a weekly program from the MBC that teaches preschool-aged children about basic nutrition and motor development concepts through fun, age-appropriate activities. Through our partnership with JMU’s Young Children’s Program, a local preschool located on JMU’s campus, children in the 3- and 4-year-old classes participate in movement-based physical activity and nutrition lessons each week.

One of our favorite parts of Healthy Kids is seeing children build confidence as they try new movements, learn about foods that help their bodies grow, and celebrate their accomplishments along the way. Their excitement and curiosity make every week special! By combining movement, learning, and play, Healthy Kids creates an engaging environment for children to build healthy foundations from an early age!

09/29/2026

Meet Evelyn Davenport, a second year member of the MBC team! Evelyn serves on our Healthy Kids Committee and is one of our Research Fellows, where she’s excited to continue learning and contributing to children’s health initiatives.

This is Evelyn’s second semester with the MBC, and she’s loved every moment, especially the positivity we bring to Harrisonburg through our programs and events. She got involved with the MBC because she believes deeply in our mission and wanted to be part of an uplifting community focused on supporting women’s health.

Outside of MBC, Evelyn enjoys being outdoors, spending time with friends, and a fun fact about Evelyn is that she is training for a Hyrox this spring! Her favorite way to stay active is weightlifting, and she brings that same strength and energy to everything she does.

We’re grateful to have Evelyn on our team and can’t wait to see all she accomplishes.

09/25/2026

Today we are showcasing one of our signature programs: EmpowHER! EmpowHER is a free, women-centered resistance training program that creates a welcoming, educational space for women of all ages and fitness levels to learn how to lift with confidence. Each week, participants receive guided instruction in a supportive environment, gaining hands-on experience with strength training.

This fall, the EmpowHER team is offering a fresh series of full‑body workouts designed to help women build strength, improve technique, and feel more comfortable navigating the weight room on their own. Sessions bring together JMU faculty, staff, students, and Harrisonburg community members every Thursday in Godwin Hall, offering a consistent opportunity to grow, lift, and feel empowered through movement. Registration opens weekly, making it easy for participants to stay engaged and continue developing skills they can use at home or in any gym setting.

09/22/2026

Meet Allana Leketa, one of our amazing Interns here at the MBC! Allana serves on our Marketing, Research & Development committee, and is leading the Fitness Sampler initiative, as well as tabling efforts.

She first joined the MBC as a practicum student with Girls Have HEART last Spring, where she loved seeing the girls grow more confident and excited each week. Now, she’s continuing her journey as an Intern with the MBC to gain hands-on experience and help promote an organization she truly believes in.

Outside of the MBC, Allana enjoys hiking, running, and painting! You can find her enjoying shows with her roommates, and a fun fact about her is that she’s read and watched every Hunger Games installment!

We’re grateful to have Allana on our team and can’t wait to see all she accomplishes.

09/18/2026

This semester, the Morrison Bruce Center is excited to continue building meaningful partnerships with JMU faculty who are helping advance women’s health, wellness, leadership, and empowerment through physical activity and sport.

Dr. Lori Gano-Overway is collaborating with the MBC through the Global Sports Mentoring Program (GSMP), where the MBC serves as a mentor site for the ESPNW Women in Sports program. Through mentorship, professional development, and cross-cultural learning, GSMP creates opportunities for women from around the world to develop their leadership skills and expand opportunities for women and girls in their communities.

Dr. Liz Edwards is collaborating on Older Women’s Wellness for Life (OWWL), a full-day wellness experience for postmenopausal women. The program combines health and fitness assessments, personalized physical activity plans, and workshops focused on topics such as sleep, nutrition, motivation, and staying active throughout life.

Dr. Matt Lovesky is partnering with the MBC on EmpowHER research initiatives, exploring the immediate physical and psychological effects of group-based resistance training.

We’re grateful for our faculty collaborators, whose expertise and partnership help us advance research, expand knowledge, and further the MBC’s mission to empower women and girls through health, wellness, and physical activity.

09/15/2026

Throughout the Fall semester, we'll be highlighting our wonderful MBC staff members. Our first Staff Spotlight introduces MBC Intern Abby Spann, a senior Kinesiology major who is a leading our Families in Motion project and is serving on the Marketing, Research, & Development committee. Abby joined the Morrison Bruce Center because she wanted to share her love for health and wellness while becoming more involved in the JMU community. She is excited to continue working with the MBC in a leadership role and help empower women and girls to lead confident, healthy lives.

This is Abby’s second semester working with the MBC. She previously volunteered with Families in Motion in Fall 2025 and served as a practicum student in Spring 2026. Her favorite experience last semester was working with Healthy Kids, where she enjoyed seeing how excited the children were to engage and learn. Outside of the MBC, Abby enjoys spending time with her sisters in Alpha Omega Epsilon and going to UREC.

We are thrilled to have Abby as a part of our team!

09/11/2026

Today, the Morrison Bruce Center joins the JMU community and the nation in honoring the lives impacted on September 11, 2001. As we reflect on this day, we are reminded of the importance of supporting one another, showing kindness, and staying connected- values that continue to strengthen our campus and beyond. Together, we remember and honor the fallen.

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Address

261 Bluestone Drive MSC 2302
Harrisonburg, VA
22807

Telephone

+15405684348

Website

http://www.jmu.edu/mbc, https://linktr.ee/morrisonbrucecenter?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAabIUClvg1A2knzLp26tmz917wsIWfDoo

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