Provost and Senior Vice President Academic Affairs

James Madison University – Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs

James Madison University (JMU), a rapidly evolving, nationally recognized epicenter of learning, seeks an innovative and responsive leader to serve as its next provost and senior vice president for academic affairs.

Founded in 1908 in Harrisonburg, Virginia as a women's school to develop teachers, JMU has transformed into a co‑ed, national institution with over 110 academic programs and more than 23,000 students as of Fall 2025.

Serving as the chief academic officer, the provost and senior vice president for academic affairs reports to the president and must be an innovative and responsive partner committed to the university’s mission, where what’s best for students is the north star, and which prioritizes academic excellence, student success, and research innovation.

The successful candidate will support shared governance and transparency in decision‑making, is committed to intellectual diversity, partners with the president, leadership team, faculty, staff, students and stakeholders to elevate the university’s national profile, and provides strategic leadership to integrate academic rigor with operational efficiency.

• Strategic thinker who is adaptive, forward‑looking, and able to navigate emerging challenges in higher education.
• Skilled communicator who builds trust with faculty and across the campus community.
• Responsive partner for industry and benefactors.

James Madison University does not discriminate and prohibits discrimination in its employment, programs, activities, and admissions on the basis of age, color, disability, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information (including family medical history), marital status, military status (including veteran status), national origin (including ethnicity), parental status, political affiliation, pregnancy (including childbirth or related medical conditions), race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or on any basis protected by law, unless otherwise permitted or required by law.

JMU complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding non‑discrimination, affirmative action, and anti‑harassment. The responsibility for overall coordination, monitoring and information dissemination about JMU's program of equal opportunity, non‑discrimination, and affirmative action is assigned to the Office of Equal Opportunity. Inquiries or complaints may be directed to the Office of Equal Opportunity via OEO website, email oeo, or phone .

JMU prohibits sexual and gender‑based harassment including sexual assault and other forms of inter‑personal violence. The responsibility for overall coordination, monitoring and information dissemination about JMU's Title IX program is assigned to the Title IX Coordinator. Inquiries or complaints may be directed to the Title IX Coordinator:
Laura Sider Jost via Title IX website, email siderlk or phone .