The Madison Promise comes to life through five strategic pillars that guide JMU's priorities and investments. Together, they provide the framework for preparing every Duke to thrive while strengthening our university, our communities and the Commonwealth.
Pillar #1
Enhance Purpose, Value, and Impact of a JMU Education
The Madison Promise builds on what has always distinguished a JMU education: academic excellence, learning by doing and the power skills graduates need to lead meaningful lives and careers. JMU will align curriculum with workforce needs, expand career-connected learning, strengthen employer partnerships and increase need-based scholarships to open doors for more students.
Beginning with the Class of 2027, JMU will also extend its support beyond graduation through two guarantees:
- The Employment Guarantee: JMU will prepare every bachelor’s degree graduate for a positive career outcome within one year, including employment, graduate or professional school, military service or a service year. Graduates who have not yet reached that milestone can access personalized career support, networking, additional coursework and work-based learning opportunities at no added cost.
- The Employer Guarantee: JMU stands behind the career readiness of every graduate. If an employer identifies a gap in a graduate’s power skills within three years of graduation, JMU will provide personalized coaching and learning opportunities at no added cost to the graduate or employer.
Pillar #2
Invest in Our People
At JMU, we are all educators. Faculty and staff bring the Madison Experience to life through teaching, discovery, student support, partnerships and campus life. Their talent, dedication and care make it possible for students to thrive and for the university to pursue its ambitions.
As JMU looks to the future, expectations for innovation and growth must be matched with the capacity and support to achieve them. The university will align workloads with strategic priorities and invest in employee well-being, competitive compensation, professional growth and modern technology. By creating the conditions for its people to do their best work, JMU will strengthen the community at the heart of its mission.
Pillar #3
Chart a New Path as a National Research University
At JMU, inspired teaching and bold discovery strengthen one another. The university’s teacher-scholar model brings new knowledge into the classroom, invites students to contribute to meaningful research and generates solutions that improve lives and communities.
As we chart a path from R2 to R1, it will expand undergraduate research, strengthen research infrastructure, grow doctoral programs in key areas and develop centers of excellence. These investments will attract exceptional talent and new resources while advancing discovery across health, technology, sustainability and other areas of critical need. This next chapter will enrich the student experience and elevate JMU’s impact and national prominence without losing sight of the undergraduate excellence that defines the university.
Pillar #4
Become a Preferred Partner to Meet the Needs of the Commonwealth, and Beyond
JMU will become the Commonwealth’s first call for workforce and economic growth. The university will take a more coordinated approach to building partnerships, making it easier for industry, government and nonprofit organizations to connect with JMU’s expertise, talent and resources.
By aligning academic programs with workforce needs and expanding the College of Health and Behavioral Studies, JMU will prepare more graduates for high-demand fields and help address critical needs across Virginia. These partnerships will also create new opportunities for students and faculty to turn knowledge and discovery into action, fueling entrepreneurship, innovation and stronger communities throughout the Commonwealth and beyond.
Pillar #5
Create an Innovative Campus Community
JMU’s future campus will be more than a place to learn. It will be a place where learning, living and community come together. Through new residential facilities, the Madison District and a Living Lab framework, JMU will transform its physical environment into a more connected, collaborative and sustainability-focused campus.
The university will expand on-campus housing capacity to 40% by 2032, setting the course toward housing approximately 60% of students by 2040. The Madison District will create new opportunities for university and community engagement, while the Living Lab framework will use the campus itself to support learning, research and innovation. Together, these investments will strengthen belonging, enrich the student experience and create new possibilities for generations of Dukes.
