Working Title: Graduate Assistant - Residence Life, Learning Initiatives

State Role Title: Graduate Assistant

Position Type: Graduate Assistant

Position Status: Part-Time

FLSA Status: N/A

College/Division: Residence Life

Department: 300000 - Residence Life Admin

Pay Band: 

Pay Rate: Stipend

Specify Range or Amount: 10,301.00 

Is this a JMU only position? No

Is this a grant-funded position? No

Is this a Conflict of Interest designated position? N/A

Beginning Review Date: 04/22/2026

About JMU:

Situated in the heart of Virginia’s beautiful Shenandoah Valley, the city of Harrisonburg is a vibrant community with a population of approximately 52,000. Harrisonburg is conveniently located approximately 120 miles from Washington, D.C. and Richmond, VA.

JMU is a selective, public institution with a growing national reputation for offering experiences that lead to an outstanding education and supportive environment for students, faculty and staff. The student body includes approximately 21,000 undergraduate and 1,800 graduate students, with over 1,000 full-time instructional faculty.

JMU offers thriving programs in the liberal arts, science and technology, and professional disciplines at the undergraduate, master’s and doctoral levels. JMU has achieved national recognition for the high quality of its academic programs, focus on maintaining strong student/faculty interaction, and innovative faculty research.

General Information:

Mission Statement:
The Office of Residence Life is committed to designing and maintaining a caring environment that encourages academic success, respect, personal growth and responsibility to one's community.

Learning Initiatives:
The Learning Initiatives Resource Center is committed to furthering the mission of Residence Life by providing support and resources for residential education, well-being, and involvement to Residence Life staff and students, while encouraging a positive residential experience.

Optional Opportunity:
The successful candidate will have the option to work during July leading up to the fall 2026 semester.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assist with the operational implementation of the Resource Center, a multipurpose facility that provides support and educational materials for Residence Life hall staff.
• Directly supervise 9 Program Advisers (PAs), student staff members who staff the Resource Center
• Plan and facilitate weekly staff meetings and weekly one-on-ones for all Program Advisers
• Write and present performance evaluations for each staff member
• Plan and implement PA staff training with Learning Initiatives Coordinator
• Learn, support, and implement the Residence Life Educational plan which aligns with the Student Affairs divisional strategic plan
• Learn and adhere to Title II digital accessibility requirements in all communications and formats
• Learn techniques for working with Resident Advisers, Hall Directors, PAs, and other volunteers
• Manage multiple projects and develop organizational subsystems
• Create or improve programs related to specific issues or populations
• Create marketing strategies for publicizing programs and events
• Learn payroll and scheduling process
• Assist with the organization, planning, and execution of department-wide programming
• Be involved in all Residence Life and Learning Initiatives sponsored projects
• Attendance at departmental and divisional meetings as appropriate

Qualifications:

• Must be admitted to and enrolled in a JMU graduate program for the 2026-2027 academic year
• Must be eligible to work and be present at JMU no later than August 1 (July 13 is preferred)
• Demonstration of strong interpersonal, leadership, and administrative skills
• Demonstration of strong communication skills
• Demonstration of high ethical standards and strong work ethic
• Creativity encouraged
• Experience with programming/event management is encouraged

Additional Posting Information:

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.