Working Title: Assistant Director - Centennial Scholars

State Role Title: N/A

Position Type: Administrative & Professional (Non-teaching Faculty)

Position Status: Full-Time

College/Division: Student Access and Inclusion

Department: 100576 - Centennial Scholars Program E&G

Pay Rate: Maximum Starting

Specify Range or Amount: $50,000

Beginning Review Date: 05/03/2024

Is this a JMU only position? No

Is this a grant-funded position? No

Is this a Conflict of Interest designated position? No

About JMU:

Mission
We are a community committed to preparing students to be educated and enlightened citizens who lead productive and meaningful lives.

Vision
To be the national model for the engaged university: engaged with ideas and the world.

Who We Are
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.

JMU offers thriving programs in the liberal arts, science and technology, and professional disciplines at the undergraduate, master's and doctoral levels. The university is committed to expanding diversity, fostering equity and inclusion, and supporting superlative teaching and scholarship. JMU has achieved national recognition for the high quality of its academic programs, focus on maintaining strong student/faculty interaction, and innovative faculty research.

General Information:

The Centennial Scholars Program (CSP) is committed to increasing access to higher education for talented first-generation, Pell grant-eligible students, from the Commonwealth of Virginia. We provide academic resources, connect students to campus programs, facilitate a successful transition to college, and support students' success while they earn a college degree. CSP strivesto recruit and retain highly motivated scholars representing diverse experiences and communities from across the Commonwealth of Virginia, building a community dedicated to personal and professional success by empowering students to achieve their educational goals.

CORE VALUES
* Academic Success: Achievement and attainment of educational goals to provide growth, opportunities, and empowerment for the future.
* Community Service & Engagement: Collaboration with community partners to increase perspective, empathy, and a sense of civic engagement by investing in the community that has invested in our students.
* Student Centered: Our programs and practices are informed by research-based theories and models of student development. Every student has unique educational goals, needs and challenges. The program will work to meet individual student needs and consider student input and feedback.
* Diversity: Creation of an inclusive space that promotes respect, authentic student voices, and access to opportunities for all individuals regardless of their background or lived experience.
* Integrity: Promotion of consistent ethical decision-making, holding oneself accountable, and encouraging these attributes in others by fostering trust and building strong relationships.
* Belonging: All students are valued, supported, and accepted in the Centennial Scholars' community and the campus learning environment.

Duties and Responsibilities:

The position is responsible for providing leadership and supervision for Centennial Scholars support services, graduate assistant mentors and enhancing outreach efforts to first-generation students through marketing and communication of workshops, scholarship and internship programs and community building opportunities.

Primary responsibilities include:

Student Mentoring and Advising - Working directly with Centennial and Valley Scholars participants supporting academic success, navigating barriers, and developing plans for career pathways or graduate school enrollment. The Assistant Director will be responsible for a student caseload monitoring academic progress and program compliance.

Marketing and Communications Management - Oversee informational campaigns for the student application and selection process for Centennial Scholars. Build communication strategies highlighting program and university opportunities available through the Reddix Center. Develop strategies for outreach to first-generation university students across campus. Train and supervise students for social media communications.

Leadership and Supervision - Supervision of graduate assistants and student employees serving as program mentors, including coordinating summer training.

Event Support - Assist program staff with special events, student workshops and the applicant review process. The Assistant Director will participate in planning applicant interviews and scholarship selection processes and coordinate the annual first-generation graduation reception.

Collaboration - The role will work within the Reddix Center for First Generation Students and with Valley Scholars to identify opportunities for program collaboration supporting first-generation students, including outreach to faculty and staff. This role also provides professional guidance and advising to the Madison First-Generation Society.

Qualifications:

Required:
* Bachelor's Degree from an accredited institution.
* Demonstrated leadership experience with a minimum of two years in public education, student development, counseling, or other related area.
* Demonstrated commitment for a strengths-based approach to student development through inclusive engagement of students from diverse backgrounds.
* Ability to shift between working independently and collaborative team projects.
* Knowledge of marketing and communication strategies for a diverse audience.

Preferred:
* Master's Degree from an accredited institution.
* Knowledge of student advising theory and practice.
* Experience working with content creation, marketing and social media.

Conditions of Employment:

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check.

E-Verify Notice: After accepting employment, new hires are required to complete an I-9 form and present documentation of their identity and eligibility to work in the United States. James Madison University uses the E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.

Additional Posting Information:

JMU's Dual Career and Community Resources Program is available for candidates that will be relocating to the area. For more information, please visit https://bit.ly/2OTF1NG.

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 an individual with a disability and need assistance searching or applying for jobs please contact us at (540) 568-3597 or jobs@jmu.edu. You may also visit the JMU Human Resource Office, located at 752 Ott Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22807 and we will be happy to assist you.