Working Title: Graduate Assistant

State Role Title: Graduate Assistant

Position Type: Graduate Assistant

Position Status: Part-Time

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt: Eligible for Overtime

College/Division: Office of the President Unit

Department: 100191 - JMU Center for Civic Engagement

Pay Band: N/A

Pay Rate: Stipend

Specify Range or Amount:  

Is this a JMU only position? N/A

Is this a grant-funded position? No

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

Beginning Review Date: 

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:

The James Madison Center for Civic Engagement, a unit within the Office of the President, is seeking a Graduate Assistant to help advance JMU’s mission of civic engagement, civic discourse, and informed participation (learn more at www.jmu.edu/civic).

Duties and Responsibilities:

Conduct research and writing for social media, primers, websites, and podcasts
Work directly with the Associate Director on research related to student voting and democratic participation on campus
Assist with the organizing and facilitation of nonpartisan civic engagement activities, workshops, deliberative discussions, and dialogue forums for JMU students, faculty and staff, and community partners
Assist with the organization and leadership of the Democracy Fellow program, along with other Madison Center Staff
Assist with small-grant writing, academic and non-academic conference proposals, and voter action plans and reports
Work collaboratively and productively within a diverse work environment while acknowledging and appreciating differences between colleagues, community, and national partners
Ability and commitment to nonpartisanship when representing JMU and the Madison Center for Civic Engagement

Qualifications:

Experience with basic research methods and reporting
Exceptional oral and written communication skills
Ability to work independently
Ability to complete assigned work on time
Ability to collaboratively work as an effective member of a diverse team
Commitment to nonpartisanship and appreciating differences when representing the Madison Center
Knowledge of the value of civic engagement, voting, and civic discourse

Additional Posting Information:

All employees are expected to attend our annual orientation retreat August 17-21, 2026.

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.