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: Student Access and Inclusion

Department: 100669 - Valley Scholars

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? No

Beginning Review Date: 03/30/2026

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:

James Madison University’s (JMU) Valley Scholars Program is accepting applications for Graduate Assistantship positions for AY 2026-2027. JMU’s Valley Scholars Program provides a pathway for local, talented students to become the first in their families to earn their college degree. Between 8th grade and high school graduation, Valley Scholars are inspired, motivated and educated to become leaders in their classrooms and community. Those who complete the program receive scholarship support to attend JMU.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Specific duties and responsibilities include:
- Developing meaningful relationships with first-generation high school students and school partners
- Mentoring first-generation high school students both one-on-one and in small groups to help build an understanding of the college experience.
- Identifying and delivering information on topics to help students with skill building.
- Helping students develop skills that enhance their college readiness such as study strategies and time management, as well as soft-skills like interpersonal communication.
- Supporting staff in delivering weekday (and occasional weekend) experiential learning programs that increase student and family exposure to the college process.
- Supporting students academically by providing feedback and support through problem solving.
- Creating and implementing developmentally appropriate curriculum for middle and high school students.

Qualifications:

- Maintaining a positive attitude and demonstrated interest while working in an environment promoting values of social and economic justice.
- Engaging students from a strengths-based perspective.
- Performing office duties as assigned.
- A desire to research, create, and implement learning strategies and programming for middle and high school youth.
- A general understanding of adolescent development.
- Patience and positive attitudes in establishing an encouraging learning environment.
- Strong interpersonal skills related to both oral and written communication.
- Have held a valid driver’s license for at least two years.
- Ability to pass a criminal background check and complete required training regarding working with minors both through the Office of Youth Safety and Valley Scholars.
- Prior experience working with minors is preferred.

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.