JMU's Senior Compass represents the future of higher education where data drives decisions, student voices shape experiences,and continuous improvement is embedded in our institutional DNA.
Senior Compass collets data from seniors during their final semester before graduation. The process was piloted in Fall 2024 and continued through Spring and Summer 2025. The first year of data provided insight for a number of projects:
Programs Already Acting on Findings
• Honors Program implementing targeted improvements
• Transfer Advising enhancing support services
Evidence of Growth
• Measurable gains in fair-mindedness
• Civic identity, knowledge, and behavior higher for
Participation Rate: 99.6%
Nearly all of the 4,214 graduating seniors fully completed the requirement. This high participation rate can be attributed to:
• Consistent and clear communication with students, staff, and faculty
• A strong incentive tied to diploma release
Senior Compass is administered collaboratively by PAIR, CARS, University Events, and the Registrar’s Office, and is supported by Faculty Affairs and Curriculum, Student Affairs, University Advising, COB Advising & Support Center, COE Advising, ADP Advising, University Marketing and Branding, and the Libraries, among others.