Working Title: Graduate Assistant for Academic & Professional Programs

State Role Title: N/A

Position Type: Graduate Assistant

Position Status: Part-Time

College/Division: School of Professional & Continuing Education

Department: 100066 - Professional & Continuing Education

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

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:

The School of Professional & Continuing Education (SPCE) at James Madison University invites applications for a 20 hour/week graduate assistantship reporting to our Assistant Dean overseeing our academic and professional programs. SPCE responds to individual, business, and community needs through transformative educational programs and experiences in our role as an anchor institution including: the Adult Degree Program/Bachelor of Individualized Studies, non-credit professional and workforce development programs, and partnerships with academic units across campus to support other academic degrees and certificates.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Work with staff to conduct needs assessments, market research, design and development of surveys, and data analysis (qualitative and quantitative as needed)
Conduct literature reviews for topics related to innovative program delivery, needs of adult learners, student services, and other subjects as needed; review and synthesize literature to provide summaries and foundation for presentations and publications
Work with staff to brainstorm, identify, research, interview, and draft compelling impact-based narratives to help tell SPCE's story, including student and faculty profiles, student testimonials, user experiences
Monitor/proctor exams for adult learners by supervising the computer lab as they are taking tests (one 3 hour block per week)
Participate in review and editing of Credit for Prior Learning documents for Adult Degree Program students; work with Adult Degree Program Director/Academic Unit Head to provide feedback to students under guidelines of Credit for Prior Learning process
Assist with event planning and management as needed
Other tasks and special projects as assigned

Qualifications:

Experience with research design and data analysis.
Excellent communication skills (verbal, written, and visual).
Experience with Canvas online learning management system.
Experience with event planning.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office products (Word, PowerPoint, etc.).
A friendly and professional demeanor.

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.

Additional Posting Information:

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.