Mission

The School of Media Arts and Design prepares students to serve as creative, reflective, and highly skilled media producers and storytellers, sensitive to the personal and social impact of the messages they create and to the important role media can play in advancing the public interest.

Vision

To be a national leader in media education, providing innovative programs that embrace and integrate traditional media concepts, values, and skills with new and evolving technologies.

We Value

• Inquiry-based learning, both independent and collaborative, that emphasizes the creative process and is distinctly innovative, challenging, cooperative, and collegial.
• Historical, legal, and ethical literacy and critical thinking skills that enable students to reach thoughtful and principled decisions throughout their careers.
• Diverse communities and global perspectives acquired through study and experience.
• Strong co-curricular, extracurricular, and internship activities that enrich education and enhance an understanding of the role of media in society.

Diversity Statement

As faculty and staff in James Madison University’s School of Media Arts and Design, we acknowledge the impact we and our students have on representation and narrative, as well as the role media can play in advancing public interest. The power of media and our responsibility as producers and storytellers are at the forefront of our experiential learning and critical analysis. We are dedicated to diversity and inclusivity, and we encourage activities that enrich our shared experience. We are here to uplift underrepresented communities in our academic pursuits, and we strive to build a community free of prejudice, intimidation, and discrimination through our learning and teaching, scholarship, and service.