Becky Childs, Professor of English, came to JMU in 2022. She earned a PhD in Linguistics from the University of Georgia, an M.A. in English from North Carolina State University, and a B.A. in English with a minor in Teaching English as a Second Language from the University of Florida. Her academic interests are in sociolinguistics, specifically dialects of English and English language variation in contemporary society.

As associate dean, Becky provides oversight and leadership in key areas that support student recruitment, retention, progression, and success; curricular and pedagogical development and innovation; and communications and marketing. 

• Supervise the CAL Communications and Marketing Specialist; assist with all digital (web, social) and print (including Arts and Letters Review) content for the college (strategy, planning and execution) 
• Create marketing initiatives such as promotion of funds for Giving Day 
• Liaise with Academic Affairs Communications about college news 
• Coordinate Contact Lists for Arts and Letters Review, donors, alumni 
• Handle student academic affairs for the College 
  
  • probation and reinstatement 
  • repeat/forgive requests 
  • grade appeals 
  • substitutions and waivers 
  • advising; grievances  
  • liaising with AcademicQuestions@jmu.edu as well as with AUHs, parents 
  • Student analytics and early alert-related matters (e.g. midterm grades) 
  • MyMadison approver of directives and waivers, including batch waivers  
  • Transfer Credit Approval Forms 
  • Dean's and President's Lists (for CAL) and all the many other Office of the Registrar matters 
• Coordinate student recruitment events (CHOICES, Open House, Orientation) 
• Coordinate the Madison Awards for Academic Excellence 
• Serve on Improving Registration Committee and Class Scheduling Committee 
• Serve on Restricted Programs Advisory Group (RPAG) 
• Support Pedagogy and Teaching (Course Development Grants and Teaching Talks, advise AUHs about policies and practices, administer first week attendance drops) 
• Assist with CAL curriculum initiatives (new minors and programs, including proposal and curriculum process, administration, and recruiting students) 
• Coordinate CAL cross-disciplinary minors 
• Chair, CAL Graduate C&I; serve also as CAL representative to University C& I; RPAG (Restricted Programs Advisory Group); Graduate Council (non-voting); and the ADean Working Group (ADWG) curriculum committee 
• Serve as Chair of Media Board, which works with 4 student organizations: The Breeze (including Breeze TV), Iris, The Bluestone, and WXJM 
• CAL Catalog proofs (cc'd on departments, and primary on college updates)