2022-23 BTC Calendar: Linda Thomas

JMU received a prestigious R2 designation, recognizing its ascension into the ranks of the nation’s top research universities. R2 schools must have strong doctoral programs and high research activity, according to the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. Augmenting JMU’s stellar undergraduate reputation, this accomplishment also furthers the Graduate School’s long-term plan. “My vision is a world-class graduate school,” says new Graduate Dean Linda Thomas, “and we are in a sweet spot for making that happen.” With a doctorate from Georgia Tech, two engineering degrees from University of Florida, and a law degree from the University of Miami, Thomas can easily spot what’s special at JMU: the teaching. “We can brag because all of our graduate courses are already taught by world-class professors,” she says, “and that’s half the equation for reaching R2.” The other half? At least $10 million in annual research expenditures, a metric JMU has already surpassed.