LINKers assist with the adjustment and retention efforts for JMU’s international community. While LINKers are most known for the role that they play during the international orientation program, by ensuring that new students feel welcomed and connected, they also play a significant role in shaping the international student community by creating meaningful programming and events for their peers! 

With the guidance and training from members of the Center for Global Engagement staff, four globally-minded and talented student leaders, called LINKers, work together as a team to perform various roles:

• JMU’s ambassadors to newly admitted globally-minded students by sharing their personal stories and experiences of what being a JMU student is all about.
• Orientation leaders during the international student orientation program;
• Event creators during the fall and spring semesters;
• Serve as links between the international student body and the larger JMU community; and
• Role models and peer advisors for the new international JMU Dukes, as resources and mentors to those who may need assistance with academic, social, and cultural adjustments.

In short, the LINKers stay true to thecore values held in its name: “Leaders for International Networking and Knowledge".

• Develop your leadership, intercultural, and interpersonal skills (highly valued by employers);
• Add a great professional working experience and various soft skills to your resume;
• Meet amazing people and make new friends, not only from different parts of JMU but also from various countries and cultures across the globe;
• Be the first one to meet and positively impact the JMU journey of new international students; and
• Receive individualized feedback and personal challenges to grow professionally and to better market yourself when applying for jobs or programs.

This is what you can expect to be doing as a LINKer:

• Attend training sessions in mid-August (and two Zoom calls over the summer)
• Participate in all orientation activities - August 16-19, 2024
• Establish personal connection with newly admitted students
• Facilitate group discussions, conduct campus tours, and lead ice-breaking activities/games during social events, conferences, and orientation sessions
• Identify needs and issues faced by the newly arriving international students
• Create and run programming for the international student community