Working Title: JMU Transfer Ambassadors - IE

State Role Title: Institutional Employment/Federal Work Study

Position Type: Institutional Employment

Position Status: Part-Time

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt: Eligible for Overtime

College/Division: Student Academic Success

Department: 100536 - University Advising

Pay Rate: Hourly

Specify Range or Amount: $12.41

Is this a JMU only position? N/A

Is this a grant-funded position? N/A

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

Beginning Review Date: 04/14/2025

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:

It is the goal of the Office of Transfer Initiatives and JMU Next Transfer Advising to provide accurate and accessible advising to all prospective and current transfer students, to help them plan to apply to JMU, to satisfy graduation requirements through coursework taken before and after the transfer, to transition smoothly to JMU, and to prepare for their lives and careers after graduation. To support that goal, our office is seeking two JMU Transfer Ambassadors to assist with transfer student success programs, support our social media presence, and help us develop mentoring opportunities for new transfer students. Students will work 5 hours per week during the semester.

JMU Transfer ambassadors should have pride and enthusiasm for JMU, strong interpersonal and communication skills, be sensitive to the needs of transfer students, and have a desire to develop leadership skills. Ideal candidates will have a positive attitude and desire to help others, a sense of humor and the ability to be flexible, ability to work as a motivated self-starter and cooperative team player.

For one of the two positions, we will be looking for a candidate who also has experience developing social media content.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Attend and serve as a transfer student ambassador at key programs for prospective current students, such as the Transfer Tailgate before Student Org Night, engagement events at area community colleges, and JMU Next Transfer Advising presentations at Orientation as well as Admissions-sponsored events such as Open Houses, CHOICES, and on-sites admissions
• Provide support to the JMU Next Transfer Advising team in managing social media and developing mentoring opportunities for prospective or new transfer students.
• Assist with gathering feedback from new or prospective students through surveys and focus groups.
• Provide support to the JMU Advising Hub as needed.
• Attend training sessions, and meetings, and participate in leadership training.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

A successful applicant should:

+ Be a current full-time JMU undergraduate transfer student through Spring 2025.
+ Required to have a 2.5 or better cumulative GPA.
+ Be available to work 5 hours per week, usually during business hours, but occasionally on evenings or Saturdays for special events.
+ Have knowledge or experience of transfer processes and the transfer student experience.
+ Be enthusiastic about serving as an advocate and mentor for transfer students.
+ Be able to work independently and willing to learn new skills.
+ Be detail-oriented, organized, positive, and reliable.

Additional Posting Information:

Required 1 resume.

Required Other Document #1: A statement reflecting why you would like to be a transfer ambassador. Save as a Word document and submit as Other Document #1.  

Conditions of Employment:  

Students must be degree-seeking students, enrolled on at least a half-time basis (6 credits for undergraduate and 5 credits for graduate).

Students must have a 2.0 or better cumulative GPA.

E-Verify Notice: After accepting employment, new hires are required to complete an I-9 form and present documentation of their identity and eligibility to work in the United States. James Madison University uses the E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.

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.