James Madison University Presidential Engagement Fellows Program

Office of the President – Presidential Engagement Fellows Program

About the role

The Presidential Engagement Fellows Program is a 10-month fellowship focused on leadership development for recent JMU graduates (undergraduate or graduate). Fellows receive a stipend of $14,813 paid out over 10 months and an additional housing stipend of $500 per month. Fellows are placed within JMU offices where they contribute to projects and programs critical to the university’s mission, vision, and values.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrate a commitment to the James Madison University Mission, Vision, and Values, including a sense of responsibility and obligation within the community and unit served.
• Approach complex problems through interpersonal skills that promote teamwork and acceptance of a variety of thought regarding goals and priorities.
• Create and maintain meaningful and productive connections between the university and community, serving as an active member of a thriving cohort.
• Explore personal strengths and improve upon weaknesses, with emphasis on developing career options and life plan goals through experiential learning.
• Gain a working understanding of organizational communication, interconnectedness, and problem-solving within a community.

Requirements

• Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA
• Recent JMU graduate (undergraduate or graduate) within one year of graduation (graduation date of May 2025, December 2025, or May 2026)
• Fellows work an average of 29 hours per week in their placement office
• Participate as a cohort in weekly professional development sessions

Benefits

• Tuition waiver for undergraduate and graduate-level courses taken at JMU
• Free access to the University Recreation Center (UREC), including the climbing wall, equipment centers, and group exercise studios
• Access to voluntary benefits such as Pet Insurance, Identity Theft, and Legal Protection Plans
• 12 university holidays per year
• Eligibility for Talent Development trainings offered to all employees

Pay

$14,813 stipend paid over 10 months, plus a $500 monthly housing stipend.

Schedule

Part-time position averaging 29 hours per week over 10 months.