Jim Shaeffer, Sr., is the Associate Vice Provost for Outreach & Engagement.  Jim came to JMU in February of 2006, having previously served at the University of North Dakota and the University of Wyoming.  Before becoming Associate Vice Provost, he held the position of Associate Dean for the College of Graduate and Outreach Programs. He is currently serving as President of the University Professional and Continuing Education Association (UPCEA). Jim earned his Bachelor's degree from Iowa State University, a Master's degree from Kansas State University, and his PhD from Northwestern University.  Jim provides leadership for all of Outreach & Engagement, and serves on a wide variety of campus, local, regional, and national committees and task forces.

shaeffjm@jmu.edu

(540)568-4253

Carol Fleming is the Director of Outreach & Engagement, and has worked at JMU since July of 2006.  As Director, she works on developing programs that meet the needs of our students and partners.  She develops and maintains relationships with on-campus units, school divisions, Higher Education Centers, and local businesses.  She also oversees all marketing decisions and handles personnel issues.  Carol has a Bachelor's degree in Dance and a Master's degree in Interdisciplinary Arts from Columbia College in Chicago. Carol is currently pursuing the post-master's certificate program in College Student Personnel Administration at JMU. She believes that simple moments, humor, family, feeling part of something, and comfort are the most important parts of her happiness. She is married to Dany Fleming, and has two children, Jack (10) and Lily (6), and two dogs, Luna and Zuni. 

fleminca@jmu.edu

(540)568-8987

Sarah MacDonald serves as Associate Director for Outreach & Engagement.  She came to JMU in July of 2007, and is responsible for coordinating credit-based programs for Outreach & Engagement, including certificate programs, individual courses, and academic partnerships. She also supports technology needs, assessment and evaluation efforts, and faculty development for Outreach & Engagement. She holds a Bachelor's degree from Blackburn College, and Master's degrees in English and Human Resource Education from the University of Illinois, and is currently enrolled in the Assessment and Measurement doctoral program at JMU. Sarah spends her time with her husband Greg, reading, gardening, and training her dogs, Bailey and Declan. 

macdonsk@jmu.edu

(540)568-7958

Pamela Hamilton is the Learning Services Coordinator for the Adult Degree Program within Outreach & Engagement. She came to JMU in October of 2000, and previously served as a writer in Media Relations, a web writer for ESOL Main Street, and Associate Director of the Workforce Improvement Network. As Learning Services Coordinator, she works with adults who are returning to college to complete their Bachelor's degree.  She is their unofficial first advisor, so she helps them select a program of study here at JMU that will help them achieve their educational and career goals.  Pam earned her Bachelor's degree in English from Connecticut College, and her Master's degree in Reading from Rhode Island College. She is the proud grandmother to Lindsay (12), and Madisyn (9), and "mom" to Brillo and Bailey, the best cats in the world, and their new big brother, Chaucer. Pam is also a newlywed; she and her husband Bate were married in Las Vegas on May 26, 2009.

brownpg@jmu.edu

(540)568-6824

Nicki West is the Assistant to the Associate Vice Provost for Outreach & Engagement.  She has been at JMU since September 2005, and previously served as Outreach Course Administrator.  As Assistant to the Associate Vice Provost, Nicki manages scheduling, communications, and other aspects of the Associate Vice Provost's position. She is also responsible for budgeting, reconciliation, and fiscal accounting.  Nicki holds an Associate's degree in Small Business Management, and is currently working on completing her Bachelor's degree through the Adult Degree Program. A native of the Shenandoah Valley, she grew up in and currently lives in the Broadway area.  She enjoys helping her children become who they are, spending time with her husband, Jim (whom she was blessed to marry in June 2010), and taking walks, cooking, reading, traveling and writing

westnc@jmu.edu 

(540)568-2870 

Katie LaPira is the Administrative Assistant for Outreach & Engagement. She joined JMU in August of 2010, after moving with her family from Charleston, SC. She works on our non-credit programming, including MyCAA, (Military Spouse Program) handling payment of all online non-credit programs and community events, processing CEU requests, and preparing certificates for completed programs. She also serves as the first point of contact for students, faculty, staff, and community members. When she is not in the office, you will find her spending time on her new house or enjoying the beautiful Shenandoah Valley with her husband, Tim, daughter Amelia, son Eli, and dog Jiggs. 

lapirakm@jmu.edu

(540)568-4253

Courtney Portell serves as an Outreach & Engagement Graduate Assistant. She came to JMU in August of 2009, and provides assistance for general administrative office duties and communication with Virginia school divisions, among other projects. She holds a Bachelor's degree from The College of William and Mary, and is currently pursuing her Master's in School Counseling from JMU. Courtney enjoys playing basketball, cooking for friends, and shopping.

portelca@jmu.edu

(540)568-4255

Michael Ellis is a Graduate Assistant for Outreach & Engagement, and graduated from JMU in 2009 with a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science. He is currently pursuing his Master's in Secure Software Engineering. As Graduate Assistant, Mike provides technical support to the department, as well as general administrative office support. In his spare time, Mike is involved with both the JMU Crew team and the JMU Snowboard Racing Team.

ellisms@jmu.edu

(540)568-4255

Jawan Shir serves as the graduate assistant for the Adult Degree Program. He was born and grew up in Kabul, Afghanistan. As a Fulbright Student, he graduated from JMU in 2009 with a Bachelor of Arts in International Affairs. He is working now towards his master's degree in History with a special focus on Historical Ideas in South Asia and the Middle East.  He hopes to get into a PHD Program after he graduates from JMU, and then, return back to Afghanistan where he would like to contribute to the production of knowledge in the Afghanistan Intellectual Community. He loves traveling (most preferred by car), cooking for himself and friends, and reading. 

shirjx@jmu.edu

(540)568-5532