Media Relations Assistant - IE

Media Relations Assistant - IE

• Communications and Marketing
• Student Employment
• Institutional Employment
• Opening on:
  Mar 3 2026
• Closing on:
  Mar 20 2026
• Access and Enrollment
• 100242 - University Communications

Media Relations Assistant - IE

Institutional Employment/Federal Work Study

Institutional Employment

Part-Time

Exempt:
Not Eligible for Overtime

Communications and Marketing

100242 - University Communications

Pay Rate:
Hourly

Specify Range or Amount: $13.00

N/A

No

N/A

03/20/2026

Situated in the heart of Virginia’s beautiful Shenandoah Valley, the city of Harrisonburg is a vibrant community with a population of approximately 52,000. Harrisonburg is conveniently located approximately 120 miles from Washington, D.C. and Richmond, VA. JMU is a selective, public institution with a growing national reputation for offering experiences that lead to an outstanding education and supportive environment for students, faculty and staff.

The student body includes approximately 21,000 undergraduate and 1,800 graduate students, with over 1,000 full-time instructional faculty. JMU offers thriving programs in the liberal arts, science and technology, and professional disciplines at the undergraduate, master’s and doctoral levels. JMU has achieved national recognition for the high quality of its academic programs, focus on maintaining strong student/faculty interaction, and innovative faculty research.

The Media Relations Assistant will work closely with the University Communications team to promote faculty members from diverse academic backgrounds to reporters covering topics ranging from the hard sciences to the humanities. This internship offers valuable experience in public relations, media relations, and social media management.

• Media Relations Support:
  Assist University Communications staff in promoting faculty experts from all colleges and departments to relevant reporters. This includes pitching faculty members to reporters seeking subject matter experts across various fields.
• Writing and Communication:
  Demonstrate strong writing and oral communication skills in crafting persuasive pitches and engaging with reporters.
• AP Writing Style and Social Media Management:
  Develop familiarity with Associated Press (AP) writing style and utilize social media platforms for business purposes, including promoting faculty expertise and engaging with media professionals.
• Subject Matter Familiarity:
  Become acquainted with the subjects taught and researched by faculty members across different disciplines.
• Stay Up to Date:
  Keep abreast of current events and trends to facilitate timely and relevant interactions with the media.
• Reporter and News Organization Research:
  Learn to use the software utilized by University Communications for researching reporters and news organizations.
• Media Distribution Lists:
  Assist in building and maintaining media distribution lists to ensure effective dissemination of press releases and other communications.
• Press Release Distribution:
  Learn to distribute press releases and other materials to relevant media outlets.

• Interest in and some experience with public relations.
• Excellent writing and oral communication skills.
• Familiarity with Associated Press (AP) writing style.
• Knowledge of social media platforms for business purposes.
• Ability to work 10 hours per week during normal business hours, with schedules accommodating class schedules.

• Demonstrate dependability, punctuality, confidentiality and accountability in daily work.
• Demonstrate an understanding of media relations and communications work within a dynamic university environment.
• Demonstrate confidence in collaborating with a variety of stakeholders.
• Manage deadlines and incorporate feedback into their work.
• Demonstrate an understanding of media relations strategies and tools.

Interested candidates should submit their resume, a cover…