Graduate Assistant, Student Leadership

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.

About the role

This position will support the mission of Student Life to foster belonging through the personal growth and development of an engaged citizenry by providing welcoming experiences and spaces. This is a 20-hour assistantship for the 2026-2027 academic year.

Responsibilities

• Support the Student Leader Framework implementation:
  • Collaborate with the Coordinator for Student Life, Leadership Experiences, to create leadership development opportunities for JMU students
  • Partner with the Graduate Assistant for Student Organization Development position to develop new leadership learning opportunities
  • Plan, facilitate, and evaluate leadership development opportunities, as well as workshops, as it connects back to the Student Leader Framework
• Assist on Madison Leads, a one-day leadership conference:
  • Lead a subcommittee of undergraduate committee members
  • Assist in the marketing, logistics, and educational aspects of the overall program
• Assist the Student Organization Annual Registration Process which includes:
  • Constitution review
  • Confirming student leader officer positions
  • Communicating, teaching, and supporting student organizations
• Serve as a member of the Explore Madison Committee (planning, organizing and creating engaging programs focused on increasing involvement on campus)
• Serve as a member of the De-stress Fest committee, a department-wide effort in Student Life (planning, organizing, and implementing programs with the support of other graduate assistants)
• Connect new student organizations to supportive resources within Student Leadership and Involvement
• Support department efforts in implementing Student Org Night (Fall and Spring)
• Develop skillset in operating a campus engagement platform
• Attend and support Student Life sponsored events
• Communicate effectively with supervisor
• Maintain a positive attitude about job responsibilities
• Work to be an effective team member
• Request assistance and support when approaching new situations
• Gain an understanding of policies and procedures
• Create and maintain a schedule designed to meet assistantship requirements
• Support the mission of Student Leadership and Involvement, Student Life, Student Affairs, and JMU
• Perform designated tasks in a timely, organized and professional manner
• Plan and facilitate one-on-one meetings with designated staff members
• Attend sponsored events (including nights and weekends)
• Attend conferences, workshops, and professional development meetings as deemed appropriate

Requirements

• The successful candidate will be a full-time graduate student for the 2026-2027 academic year
• Demonstrated experience in:
  • Event programming
  • Peer leading, mentoring, or coaching
  • Public speaking, workshop facilitation, or giving presentations
  • Collaboration
• Must be willing to work a consistent 20-hour schedule during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8am-5pm)

Some evening and weekend hours may be necessary to offer programs and events for students, but this should not be anticipated as a part of a regular schedule.

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)
  • The student 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.

Pay

Stipend: $10,661