Working Title: Graduate Assistant Mentor

State Role Title: Graduate Assistant

Position Type: Graduate Assistant

Position Status: Part-Time

FLSA Status: N/A

College/Division: Student Access and Inclusion

Department: 100576 - Centennial Scholars Program E&G

Pay Rate: Stipend

Specify Range or Amount: 10,110

Is this a JMU only position? No

Is this a grant-funded position? No

Is this a Conflict of Interest designated position? No

Beginning Review Date: 03/25/2026

About JMU:

Located in the heart of Virginia’s beautiful Shenandoah Valley, the city of Harrisonburg is approximately 120 miles from Washington, D.C. and Richmond, VA. With a population of just over 53,000, Harrisonburg is one of the most diverse communities in the Commonwealth of Virginia. JMU is a selective, public institution with a growing national reputation for offering experiences that lead to an outstanding education and inclusive environment for students, faculty and staff. The student body includes approximately 20,000 undergraduate and 1,900 graduate students, with over 1,000 full-time instructional faculty.

General Information:

AY 2026-2027 Graduate Assistant Mentors serve as key student support professionals within the Centennial Scholars Program and the Reddix Center for First-Generation Student Success. Mentors provide individualized guidance, accountability, and resource navigation to undergraduate first-generation students through structured one-on-one engagement. Mentors play an active role in supporting student persistence, program compliance, and holistic development while working an average of 20 hours per week.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Mentor a caseload of undergraduate first-generation students through recurring one-on-one meetings focused on academic progress, goal setting, and personal development.
• Build supportive, professional mentoring relationships that promote student engagement, accountability, and success.
• Maintain detailed case notes and student records, documenting meeting attendance, discussion topics, referrals, and action plans.
• Complete student monitoring reports within designated timelines following each student interaction.
• Support program compliance tracking efforts, including monitoring study hall, community engagement, small group, and other participation requirements.
• Conduct proactive outreach to students regarding program expectations, deadlines, and areas of concern.
• Identify students in need of additional support and connect them to appropriate campus resources.
• Assist with data collection and documentation related to student participation and program outcomes.
• Provide student support coverage within the Reddix Center for First-Generation Student Success, assisting walk-in students with questions, navigation, and referrals.
• Participate in program trainings, staff meetings, and supervision sessions.
• Collaborate with professional staff and student staff to support holistic student success initiatives.
• Assist with additional programmatic or operational tasks as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Strong leadership, organizational, and critical thinking skills.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and active listening skills.
• Demonstrated ability to build supportive working relationships with students and colleagues.
• Collaborative spirit with the ability to work across departments.
• Ability to work independently, manage time effectively, and take initiative.
• Strong attention to detail, particularly in documentation and record-keeping.
• Experience with mentoring, advising, coaching, or peer leadership is preferred.

Additional Posting Information:

Mentors are required to attend the following training dates:
1. August Mentor Training: August 17-21, 2026
2. Fall Semester Kick-Off: Sunday, August 30, 2026
3. Spring Mentor Training: Sunday, January 24, 2027

Conditions of Employment:  

Students may apply to a graduate assistantship prior to being accepted into a graduate program. However, to be eligible to receive an assistantship upon entry into a graduate program, the following criteria must be met:

The student must be conditionally or unconditionally accepted into a graduate program. Students who are provisionally accepted will not be eligible until they achieve conditional or unconditional acceptance into their program.

The students must have an official transcript on file indicating completion of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution or agency

After receiving an assistantship, the student must maintain at least a 3.0 graduate GPA in order to retain or reapply for the assistantship.

These are minimum criteria. Graduate program coordinators have the right to impose additional criteria if they see fit.

EEO Statement:

James Madison University is committed to creating and supporting a diverse and inclusive work and educational community that is free of all forms of discrimination. This institution does not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, parental status, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or veteran status.

We promote access, inclusion and diversity for all students, faculty, staff, constituents and programs, believing that these qualities are foundational components of an outstanding education in keeping with our mission. The university is interested in candidates whose experience and qualifications support an ongoing commitment to this core quality.

Anyone having questions concerning discrimination should contact the Office for Equal Opportunity: (540) 568-6991.

Reasonable Accommodation:

If you are a student with a disability and need assistance please contact the Office of Disability Services at (540) 568-6705 or disability-svcs@jmu.edu. You may also visit the Office of Disability Services, located in the Student Success Center, Suite 1202 and they will be happy to assist you.