Board of Visitors summary of actions and discussions

The James Madison University Board of Visitors met Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, in the Festival Conference and Student Center.

The following is a summary of actions taken by the Board and key areas of discussion at the Board meeting:

The consent agenda was approved, which included the minutes of April 24, 2026, June 18, 2026, and Aug. 26, 2026.

Accepted committee reports from Academic and Research Excellence; Athletics; Audit/Risk and Compliance; Enrollment and Marketing; Governance; Finance and Physical Development; Philanthropy and Engagement; and Student Affairs. 

Presentations to the Board of Visitors

Faculty Senate Speaker Melaine Shoffner provided an update from the Faculty Senate:

• The Faculty Senate held its final meeting of the 2025-2026 academic year on April 30, 2026.
• Committee reports and Senate discussion addressed topics related to support for and implementation of strategic plan initiatives (e.g., AI tools, the Madison Promise, Carnegie classification).
• The Shared Governance Committee developed guidelines for best voting practices; it has not yet been determined where these guidelines will be housed.
• The Senate Treasurer reported processing 25 requests to honor faculty bereavements during the academic year.
• The Faculty Senate will continue to address the following concerns in the 2026-2027 academic year: a) goal of reclassifying JMU as a research-intensive (R1) university; b) guidance for and mis/use of AI. The Senate will also help to facilitate the adoption of program learning objectives, where possible, for the new General Education curriculum. 

Gram Sher, Student Representative to the Board, provided the following updates:

• Students have been involved with Weeks of Welcome, Greek Life recruitment, Student Org Night, Career Fair.
• Meetings with students, organizations, admin, and key campus partners.
• Attended/hosted student-focused events.
• Goals: Educate/Inform students about Board functions and how they can get involved; Support student voices on campus; Collaborate with students to relay any issues to the Board and other administration. 

President James Schmidt presented during his report:

• The first-year class consists of 5,037 students, 1.1% above the target with a total fall enrollment of 23,167.
• JMU continues to shine in national rankings, including dining, which Princeton Review ranked No. 3 nationally and No. 1 in Virginia.
• The search for a new provost is moving forward with three finalists.
• Since July 1, JMU donors have committed $10.6 million compared to $4.2 million at this same time last year—more than double the inked commitments.
• In memory of former Board of Visitors member Leslie Flanary Gilliam, her family has committed $3.5 million toward the rededication and renaming of the College of
• Health and Behavioral Studies building as Gilliam Hall.
• TimelyCare is expanding to faculty and staff at no cost. The platform provides 24/7 mental health support, counseling, health coaching, and other well-being resources.
• Discussed pathway to R1 status and how JMU will be distinctive and not sacrifice undergraduate teaching or our signature undergraduate experience.
• The General Assembly awarded JMU $115.3 million to expand facilities for the College of Health and Behavioral Studies, $1 million for the Fast Flex Nursing pathway, $28.75 million to renovate and expand Johnston Hall and $1.7 million for furnishing and equipping the building.
• Looking to the next legislative session, JMU’s number one priority is seeking at least $8M to enhance compensation competitiveness.
• JMU will seek additional support to address growth in nursing, engineering, and real estate education programs.
• Capital requests for the 2027 legislative session include planning and design monies for the College of Business Addition; Physics and Chemistry Addition; and the renovation of Moody Hall. 

Melinda Wood, Vice President, Access and Enrollment and Chris Orem, Executive Director, Planning Analytics and Institutional Research presented on strategic enrollment planning:

• The era of easy growth is over: -13% and –7% projected decline in high school graduates nationally and in Virginia; Families are asking hard questions about the value and legislatures are asking about the role of higher education; The Madison Promise commits JMU to grow, become more selective, and rise nationally, which requires a deliberate, long-range strategy.
• Strategic enrollment planning at JMU: University-wide, every division at the table and has defined role in plan; Long-range roadmap through FY32, aimed a 2040; data informed: PAIR evidence, net-revenue modeling, workforce needs; success = predictable, planned change in who we enroll.
• A disciplined four-phase framework: preparation and data analysis, strategy development, plan formation and goal setting; implementation and evaluation
• An end-to-end view of the student pipeline: high school and transfer pipelines; undergraduate; graduate and doctoral; Virginia workforce.
• What a student chooses and experiences: Shared outcome among academic affairs, student affairs, access and enrollment, administration and finance; 30,000 students by 2040 and the capacity to serve them well.
• What extends our reach and makes it possible: marketing and communications; athletics; philanthropy and engagement; REDI.
• Three phases of growth to 30,000: FY27-31 (1.5%/year); FY32-36 (1.7%/year); FY37-40 2.0%/year).
• Strategic anchors already in motion: direct admit nursing; CHBS expansion; new COB building; new program development pipeline.
• Three things to remember: Enrollment planning is now a university-wide approach and discipline; Programs, buildings and beds determine when and where we can grow; The plan is developed by May 2027 and implementation begins. 

Myles Surrett, Associate Vice President, Career, Experiential Learning, Transitions and Accessibility and Libby Westley, Director, University Career Center presented on the Career Outcomes Report:

• Career Outcome: full/part-time work; internships or service programs; military service; graduate school.
• Career Outcomes overview: 95.3% of degree recipients have a career outcome.
• Local impact of JMU graduates: continued Virginia connection (68.3%); 121 undergraduate students started at JMU from the Shenandoah Valley in Fall 2021 247 - # of graduates from the Class of 2025 working full-time in the Shenandoah Valley; 263 - # of graduates from the Class of 2025 continuing their education in the Shenandoah Valley; 322% more students came to the Valley for JMU and stayed as residents afterwards.
• JMU teaching across Virginia, 2025: 257 JMU graduates indicated they are in a teaching profession and are employed in Virginia; 85.4% of JMU graduates who indicated they are employed in a teaching profession are teaching in Virginia.
• JMU nursing across Virginia, 2025: 78.9% of JMU Nursing majors indicated they are employed in Virginia post-graduation; 150 JMU Nursing majors indicated they are employed in nursing post-graduation in Virginia.
• WBLE: A work-based learning experience incorporates hands-on work in an applied context that increases knowledge and skills necessary for discipline-focused career readiness; 30.2% of students completed a WBLE for credit; undergraduate outcomes correlated to WBLEs: 96.7% with 1+ WBLE have a career outcome. 

The Board of Visitors voted and approved:

• Motion to approve Six-Year Plan Update
• Motion to approve the Personnel Action Report
• Motion to approve the Real Estate Purchase