Graduate Assistant, Student Leadership

James Madison University•Harrisonburg, VA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

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 position is a 20-hour assistantship for the 2026-2027 academic year.

Requirements

The successful candidate will be a full-time graduate student for the 2026 - 2027 academic year.
Demonstrated experience in Event Programing
Demonstrated experience in Peer Leading, Mentoring or Coaching
Demonstrated experience in Public Speaking, Workshop Facilitation, or Giving Presentations
Demonstrated experience in Collaboration
Must be willing to work a consistent 20 hour schedule during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8am-5pm).
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.

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