Graduate Assistant - University Advising

Working Title: Graduate Assistant - University Advising

State Role Title: Graduate Assistant

Position Type: Graduate Assistant

Position Status: Part-Time

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt: Eligible for Overtime

College/Division: Student Academic Success

Department: 100536 - University Advising

Pay Rate: Stipend

Specify Range or Amount: $9,816 stipend academic year (refer to the Graduate School website)

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:

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:

University Advising seeks a graduate assistant for its well-respected Madison Advising Peer (MAP) Program. MAPs are undergraduate peer advisors who are trained to provide supplemental academic advising for JMU students in conjunction with faculty and full-time advisors. MAPs are a friendly, supportive and knowledgeable resource for their fellow students and are committed to helping them achieve their college goals.

The graduate assistant will assist the Assistant Director of University Advising with the supervision and coordination of the MAP program, developing and providing guidance to a strong team of undergraduate peer advisors.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Duties and Responsibilities
* Establish positive and supportive rapport with Madison Advising Peers. Serve as their primary contact, helping to process questions and challenges in providing advising information and identifying potential solutions.
* Prepare weekly schedules to ensure office coverage and appropriate distribution of assignments. Create, manage and assign MAP projects as necessary.
* Contribute to and deliver peer advisor training in August and throughout the year. Assist Assistant Director of University Advising in development of training agenda and materials.
* Conduct regular team meetings. Collaborate with Assistant Director to facilitate monthly All MAP team meetings.
* Work alongside MAPs by providing academic advising to undergraduates and delivering workshop presentations.
* Collect and analyze data from MAP offices; create reports and efficiently communicate results of data analyses.
* Maintain significant knowledge of and where to find information on JMU majors, minors, and pre-professional programs; major admission and progression standards; and academic policies and procedures.
* Lead outreach and publicity efforts, including campus communications, website edits and social media postings, and pursue new opportunities to expand and strengthen MAP program.
* In collaboration with offices such as University Career Center, Residence Life, and Admissions, coordinate MAP participation in campus events, including classroom presentations, HTH 100 passport events, residence hall programming, and admissions events.
* Provide support to MAP locations across campus and inform all peer advisors of MAP events, meetings, or professional development opportunities.
* Develop positive and effective working relationships with colleagues in University Advising, Student Academic Success and Enrollment Management, Student Affairs, and our academic departments.
* Meet with Assistant Director of University Advising regularly to discuss program progress and provide written reports with qualitative and quantitative data.
* Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Qualifications
* Appreciation for both the undergraduate student experience and value of academic advising.
* Ability to learn, understand, and articulate JMU's core curriculum, degree requirements, and academic policies in order to effectively supervise peer advisors and advise undergraduates.
* Strong leadership, organizational, and critical thinking skills.
* Data analysis and quantitative skills
* Excellent communication, interpersonal, and listening skills.
* Collaborative spirit that allows for development of strong working relationships with colleagues and departments across campus.
* Ability to work independently and take initiative.
* Exceptional attention to detail.

Additional Posting Information:

Application review date begins on April 4, 2025.

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.