JMU UREC named 2026 Virginia Top Employer for Interns

James Madison University’s University Recreation Center has been named a 2026 Virginia Top Employer for Interns by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, earning the recognition for the third consecutive year.  

SCHEV honored 161 employers across the commonwealth for creating high-impact, career-launching internships that offer hands-on experience, access to senior leadership, structured mentorship, and opportunities to build in-demand skills.  

At JMU, the UREC Internship and Practicum program complements classroom instruction with practical, for-credit experiences tailored to students’ academic and career goals. Each semester, UREC places approximately 10 students in 90 to 400-hour work-based learning roles. Participants meet weekly with professional staff supervisors for mentorship and gain experience through shadowing, projects and applied work.  

“We think these practica and internships are a great opportunity for students to get experience in work-based learning. We collaborate with the academic departments to create clear learning outcomes to define the student's experience,” said Eric Nickel, director of University Recreation. 

UREC is a national leader in student development in collegiate recreation and one of the largest student employers on campus. Unlike traditional student employment, the internship and practicum program focuses on academic, semester-long placements aligned with degree requirements.  

While most participants major in sport and recreation management or kinesiology and exercise science, the program is open to all majors. Recent participants have included students studying marketing, college student personnel administration, business management, and hospitality management.  

“Our students relish the opportunity to work in UREC’s world-class facilities and gain valuable expertise from their exceptional staff,” said Steve Bobbitt, practicum and internship coordinator for sport and recreation management. “It is truly a great partnership that they provide this experiential learning environment to give life to the lessons learned in the classroom to future sport and recreation organization leaders.”  

Student participation has grown in recent years. UREC recorded 23 student placements totaling 3,170 hours in 2023-24, 30 placements totaling 4,970 hours in 2024-25 and 31 placements totaling 5,380 hours in 2025-26. Top placement areas include intramural sports, fitness and youth programs, with additional opportunities in member services, marketing, event operations, facilities and maintenance, and campus recreation leadership.  

John Doyle, a sport and recreation management major who completed a 90-hour practicum in spring 2025, said the experience broadened his professional skills.  

“JMU UREC was the perfect place for me to complete my practicum,” Doyle said. “My supervisor made sure I got to experience every aspect of sport and recreation management, while also putting me in situations where I learned leadership and communication skills that I will take with me after college.”  

SCHEV’s annual Top Virginia Employers for Interns award highlights organizations that provide meaningful pathways from college to career through structured and supportive internship experiences.