The Graduate School at JMU Establishes New Advisory Board to Help Shape the Future of Graduate Education

The JMU Graduate School Advisory Board was established by Graduate School Dean Linda Thomas and Interim Associate Dean Orlandrew Danzell, who also serve as members. By bringing together individuals with varied professional backgrounds and areas of expertise, the board aims to help the Graduate School think strategically about its future. Among other insights, the board will provide information on future needs of industry and identify the skills and knowledge students will need to succeed in competitive job markets. “We wanted a board as professionally varied as our graduate students and what they study,” said Thomas. The board’s different perspectives will help the Graduate School better understand the evolving expectations of different industries and anticipate the skills graduates may need throughout their careers.  

The advisory board is intended to be an open discussion where members can share perspectives and introduce ideas that the Graduate School may not have previously considered. With members bringing experience from different professional fields, the board can offer insight into how industries are changing and what students may need to succeed after graduation. This includes considering the influence of emerging technologies and the ways professional fields may continue to evolve in the coming years.  

Graduate education is not solely about preparing students for their first jobs. It also equips them with the skills required to navigate career challenges and demands. As Dean Thomas explained, “We just want to make sure that when our students graduate, they are prepared to think in terms of these non-siloed, interdisciplinary, real-world situations.” By encouraging students to broaden their academic and professional knowledge, the Graduate School hopes that students will graduate feeling confident in their abilities to adapt to changes in the job market. 

The board will practice strategic thinking and planning to support graduate students and their future paths. Members, including those with backgrounds in cybersecurity and technology, can help the Graduate School consider workforce needs and identify opportunities for graduate students. “One of the outcomes we are hopeful will occur is that internship opportunities may increase, as well as employment opportunities for many of our graduate students,” said Danzell. These new connections could also establish further relationships between JMU graduate students and industry. 

The board held its first meeting on Tuesday, October 20. Thomas and Danzell hope the board will continue to evolve alongside the needs of graduate students and the changing professional workforce. The member’s long-term goal of the advisory board is to establish a sustainable resource that provides ongoing support and helps the Graduate School adapt its approach to graduate education over time. As the board continues their work, future updates will explore their progress as well as the initiatives that emerge from board discussions.