About the University

James Madison University is a public, research university and is the only university in America named for James Madison. The university provides a high-quality experience for students enrolled at the undergraduate, graduate and doctoral levels. Innovative academic programs, founded in a broad range of the liberal arts, are informed and refined by advances in technology and societal needs. Academic offerings are augmented by co-curricular activities that help our future graduates develop the knowledge, skills and character they need to thrive.

JMU faculty are known for blending inspired teaching with rigorous scholarship, with an emphasis on involving undergraduate and graduate students in their research. Through this distinctive teacher-scholar model, JMU has transformed from a respected regional comprehensive university into a nationally recognized R2 doctoral research institution.

Mission Statement

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

History

Since its establishment in 1908, James Madison University has grown from a small state normal and industrial school for women to a coeducational comprehensive university and evolved into a nationally recognized R2 doctoral research institution with a Fall 2025 enrollment of 23,157 students.

The university was founded in 1908 as the State Normal and Industrial School for Women at Harrisonburg, with Julian Ashby Burruss as its first president. The school opened its doors in 1909 with an enrollment of 209 students and a faculty of 15. Its first 20 graduates received diplomas in 1911. In 1914, the name of the school was changed to the State Normal School for Women at Harrisonburg. The school received authorization to award bachelor's degrees in 1916. During this initial period of development, Burruss' administration established the campus plan and constructed six buildings.

After Burruss resigned in 1919, Dr. Samuel Page Duke became the second president. Duke's administration erected nine major buildings. In 1924, the university became the State Teachers College at Harrisonburg and continued under that name until 1938, when it was named Madison College in honor of James Madison, the fourth president of the United States. In 1946, the Duke administration admitted men as regular day students.

Following the retirement of Duke, Dr. G. Tyler Miller became the third president of the university in 1949 and remained until 1970. Miller's administration enlarged the campus by 240 acres and constructed 19 buildings. The administration also revamped the curriculum. In 1954, the expanding school received authority to grant master's degrees. The university became a coeducational institution and first enrolled Black students in 1966.

Dr. Ronald E. Carrier became JMU's fourth president in 1971. His administration transformed Madison College into a university. In 1977, the institution adopted its current name, James Madison University. The Carrier administration nearly tripled the number of students and university faculty members and constructed some 30 major campus buildings. Doctoral degrees were authorized in 1994.

Dr. Linwood H. Rose was named JMU's fifth president in September 1998. Under his leadership, JMU was continually recognized in national publications as one of the nation's finest institutions of its type. More than 20 new academic programs were implemented, 25 major buildings were constructed and a Phi Beta Kappa chapter was installed. The university successfully completed its first capital campaign.

Jonathan R. Alger, JD, took office in July 2012 as the sixth president of James Madison University. Under his leadership, JMU developed a vision to be "the national model of the engaged university" with a strategic plan focused on engaged learning and community and civic engagement. In 2022, JMU's Carnegie classification was elevated to R2, establishing the university as a Doctoral University with High Research Activity, and the highly successful Unleashed comprehensive campaign raised over $250M. Academic programs in education, health care and information technology expanded under his purview.

Mr. Charles King was appointed interim president July 1, 2024. He previously served as the university's senior vice president for administration and finance and chief financial officer for 25 years, retiring in 2021. During this academic year, JMU was recognized by the Carnegie Commission as a 2025 Research 2: High Spending and Doctorate Production institution, progress on the Carrier Library renovation progressed substantially, and the JMU Dukes football team won their first bowl title. The university also established its first Doctor of Education degree.

In March 2024, Dr. James C. Schmidt was named the seventh president of James Madison University. His presidency began with an extensive listening tour involving internal and external JMU faculty, staff, students, alumni, university partners, and civic, legislative and business leaders across the commonwealth. By the end of his first year, President Jim – informed with feedback from the entire campus community – drafted a new comprehensive strategic plan focused on identifying and building on JMU’s distinctive strengths that will take JMU to the next level.

JMU has become a national model for developing work-based learning experiences, advancing a teacher-scholar model and promoting access. Ranked as the "top college in Virginia for getting a job," 95% of JMU undergraduates in the class of 2024 achieved a career outcome within a year; 96.7% of graduates with advanced degrees achieved the same.

Administration

The general responsibility for the administration of the university has been assigned to the president, who is appointed by the JMU Board of Visitors. When the board is in recess, its executive committee may exercise the power of the board.

Assisting the president in the administration of the university are the provost and vice president for academic affairs; the vice president for access and enrollment; the vice president for administration and finance; the vice president for marketing and strategic communications; the vice president for philanthropy and engagement; the vice president for research, economic development and innovation; the vice president for student affairs; the vice president and chief of staff; and the director of intercollegiate athletics.

Appointment to these positions and to the university's instructional and administrative faculty is made by the JMU Board of Visitors upon the recommendation of the president.

Board of Visitors

David Rexrode, Fredericksburg, VA (Rector)

Nicole Palya Wood, Doswell, VA (Vice Rector)

Lieutenant Colonel Jeff Bolander, USMC, Retired, McGaheysville, VA

Larry Caudle, Jr., White Stone, VA

Carly Fiorina, Lorton, VA

Thomas Galati, Penn Laird, VA

Heather Hedrick, Richmond, VA

The Honorable Kay Coles James, Richmond, VA

Jessica Killeen, Alexandria, VA

John Lynch, Virginia Beach, VA

Angela Reddix, Virginia Beach, VA

Steven Smith, Bristol, TN

Nikki Thacker, Richmond, VA

Jack White, Fairfax Station, VA

Lisa Winn Bryan, Chesterfield, VA

Gram Sher, Virginia Beach, VA (Student Representative)

Chief Administrative Officers

James C. Schmidt, Ed.D.
President

Division Heads

Christine Hutchins, M.B.A.
Vice President for Marketing and Strategic Communications

David C. Kirkpatrick, Ph.D.
Vice President and Chief of Staff

Nicholas L. Langridge, Ph.D.
Vice President for Philanthropy and Engagement

G. Fletcher Linder, Ph.D.
Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

Timothy M. Miller, Ed.D.
Vice President for Student Affairs

Towana H. Moore, M.B.A.
Vice President for Administration and Finance

Matt Roan, J.D.
Director of Intercollegiate Athletics

Anthony Tongen, Ph.D.
Vice President for Research, Economic Development and Innovation

Melinda J. Wood, M.S.
Vice President for Access and Enrollment

Deans

Bethany Blackstone, Ph.D.
Dean, Honors College

Michael E. Busing, Ph.D.
Dean, College of Business

Rubén G. Graciani, M.F.A.
Dean, College of Visual and Performing Arts

P. Grady Dixon, Ph.D.
Dean, College of Integrated Science and Engineering

Mark E. L'Esperance, Ph.D.
Dean, College of Education

G. Fletcher Linder, Ph.D.
Dean, University Studies

Sharon E. Lovell, Ph.D.
Dean, College of Health and Behavioral Studies

Bethany P. Nowviskie, Ph.D.
Dean, Libraries

Samantha Bates Prins, Ph.D.
Dean, College of Science and Mathematics

Nicholas J. Swartz, Ph.D.
Dean, School of Professional and Continuing Education

Linda M. Thomas, J.D., Ph.D.
Dean, The Graduate School

Traci A. Zimmerman, Ph.D.
Dean, College of Arts and Letters

Accreditation

James Madison University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award baccalaureate, masters, educational specialist and doctorate degrees. Questions about the accreditation of James Madison University may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC's website.

Additional Accreditation

ABET, Incorporated
AACSB International – The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
American Chemical Society
Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics
Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education
American Psychological Association
Association of University Health Programs in Health Administration
Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc.
Commission for Collegiate Nursing Education
Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education
Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET, Inc.
Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association
Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs
Council for the Accreditation of Academic Programs for Speech Pathology and Clinical Audiology
Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), Commission on Accreditation (COA)
National Association of School Psychologists
National Association of Schools of Art and Design
National Association of Schools of Dance
National Association of Schools of Music
National Association of Schools of Theatre
Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs and Administration
Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant