JMU stands behind every graduate with historic employment and employer guarantees

James Madison University’s Board of Visitors on Friday formally endorsed “The Madison Promise: JMU 2032 Strategic Plan,” a bold, community-driven vision guided by a cornerstone commitment to students and the Commonwealth of Virginia that sets a course for JMU through 2032, with long-term targets extending to 2040.  

The “Madison Promise Guarantees” comes at a pivotal moment for higher education. Across the country, families are making hard calculations about the return on investment of a college degree. Employers are asking whether graduates are truly ready. The Madison Promise Guarantees answer those questions directly with a unique commitment no other university is making at this scale. 

“A JMU education is marked by the distinctive set of skills and knowledge that all graduates develop during their undergraduate career,” said JMU President Jim Schmidt.  “Our students acquire the balance of a liberal arts education and the experience of undergraduate research and power skill development. We are preparing students to be nimble and responsive, building the resilience and life skills they will need for the job market of today and tomorrow.” 

JMU is the university that does not step away from students the moment a diploma is handed over but stands behind the education it delivers. Beginning with the Class of 2030, and for every graduating class that follows, two guarantees formalize that commitment. 

Two key components of The Madison Promise Guarantees are: 

The Employment Guarantee: JMU will ensure that every bachelor's degree graduate, beginning with the Class of 2030, will achieve a positive career outcome (employment, graduate education, volunteer experience or military experience) within one year of graduation. Graduates who have not yet reached that milestone within that first year will receive personalized support through career coaching, alumni and employer networking, and access to additional education or internship opportunities at no cost to the graduate. 

The Employer Guarantee: JMU stands behind the career readiness of every bachelor’s degree graduate.  Beginning with the Class of 2030, if an employer identifies a gap in a graduate’s power skills including critical thinking, communication, problem-solving or the ability to work in teams within two years of graduation, the university will provide access to coaching services and additional, personalized coursework at no cost to the graduate or employer.  

“JMU is the university that stands behind every Duke,” said Schmidt. “At a time when the ROI of higher education is increasingly questioned, JMU has the answer. It’s career-ready, problem-solving and confident graduates that we stand behind. No other university is making a commitment quite like this. That is what The Madison Promise means, and that is what makes this moment legendary for JMU.” 

With the Board’s endorsement of The Madison Promise, JMU’s future will be defined by how boldly it delivers its word to its students, to employers, and to the commonwealth it proudly serves. The complete version of The Madison Promise: JMU 2032 Strategic Plan is available at https://www.jmu.edu/madison-promise.