Academic Affairs uses the division’s expertise and experience gained in the pandemic and beyond to learn, grow and innovate together in order to positively impact the world.

Expand community engagement by growing reciprocal partnerships and funding to enhance student learning opportunities and prepare students for the workforce. 

Expand economic and community engagement by growing reciprocal partnerships and funding to create opportunities that enhance student learning, workforce preparation, research and innovation, and quality of life in and beyond the commonwealth

1. In AY 2022-23, JMU will apply for the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities’ (APLU) and University Economic Development Association’s (UEDA) Innovation and Economic Prosperity (IEP) designation. In partnership with the University Economic Development Council (UEDC), Research, Economic Development and Innovation (REDI) will:
   1. Catalog programs, activities, and partnerships across the university that contribute to economic and community development.
   2. Assess partner perceptions of institutional engagement in economic and community development.
   3. Develop and maintain information and communication networks that support and enhance cross-unit and cross-division collaboration that supports economic and community engagement.
   4. Prepare and submit JMU’s application for the APLU IEP designation. 

2. Maintain existing and develop new mutually-beneficial partnerships.
   1. Foster and grow existing partnerships with the Shenandoah Valley Partnership (SVP) and the Shenandoah Valley Technology Council (SVTC).
   2. Support new partnerships with the Northern Virginia Technology Council (NVTC) and the Virginia Talent and Opportunity Partnership (V-TOP).
   3. Informed by the catalog of existing programs, activities and partnership (noted in item A.a. above), identify and support partnership expansion activities.

3. Support, promote and reward scholarship, teaching and service activities with community and economic impact. 

4. In AY 2202-23, establish the mission, vision and strategic plan for the Office of Economic and Community Development within Research, Economic Development and Innovation.

5. Support work-based learning and internship initiatives by partnering with the Work-based Learning Experience Task Force to enhance the number and quality of our students’ work-based learning experiences.

Go to Strategic Goal 3, Objective 2

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Academic Affairs Strategic Plan - Full Document