The 2027 Campus Master Plan is built around a clear measure of success: does it benefit students and the JMU community? Every planning decision is evaluated against that standard, with the goal of creating a campus that advances the university's mission, strengthens the student experience, and deepens JMU's impact across Harrisonburg and the Commonwealth.

The plan targets the following qualitative outcomes:

Mission-Driven Outcomes

• Student Success & Well-Being: Expanding access to the academic support, advising, and campus resources that improve student performance and overall well-being
• Improved Retention: Strengthening the campus environment to increase first-to-second year and overall student retention rates
• Higher Graduation Rates: Supporting conditions that accelerate time-to-degree and improve graduation outcomes
• Community Impact: Deepening JMU's connections with Harrisonburg, Rockingham County and the broader Commonwealth through shared spaces, partnerships, and economic contributions
  
  

Experiential Outcomes

• Sense of Belonging & Engagement: Strengthening student connection, engagement, and campus identity so that every Duke feels at home at JMU
• Residential Campus Experience: Creating a more immersive campus environment through modern, expanded housing options that keep students close to the heart of campus life
• Mobility & Access: Improving how students, faculty, staff, and visitors move to, from, and across campus
• Alumni & Donor Affinity: Building a campus that deepens pride, strengthens engagement, and grows philanthropic support over time
• Faculty & Staff Integration: Fostering a campus community where faculty and staff are not just employed at JMU — they are part of it