Distance Learning Engagement Coordinator

Working Title: Distance Learning Engagement Coordinator

State Role Title: Education Support Specialist III

Position Type: Full-time Staff (Classified)

Position Status: Full-Time

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt: Eligible for Overtime

College/Division: Student Life and Involvement

Department: 300116 - Dean of Students

Pay Rate: Pay Range

Specify Range or Amount: $45,000 - $48,000

Is this a JMU only position? No

Is this a grant-funded position? No

Is this a Conflict of Interest designated position? No

Beginning Review Date: 07/09/2025

About JMU:

James Madison University is a publicly funded university with a beautiful campus and a supportive community that is committed to preparing students for the future. The university offers excellent comprehensive benefits which include paid vacation, sick, parental, and community service leave in addition to 19 paid holidays a year; affordable health insurance; retirement through the Virginia Retirement System. We also offer a work-life balance and integration program, Balanced Dukes, that is designed to support the overall wellbeing of our employees and a Tuition Waiver Program that allows employees to have tuition waived for undergraduate and graduate level courses taken at JMU.

Visit our Prospective Employee site to learn more about what makes JMU a great place to work: bit.ly/JMUEmployment

General Information:

The Distance Learner Engagement Coordinator plays a vital role in supporting the success of adult remote learners in the School of Professional and Continuing Education, specifically the Adult Degree Program & College of Education, by connecting them with university resources, facilitating orientation, and providing ongoing communication and engagement opportunities. Working closely with the Dean of Students Office’s programs, this position ensures that over 500+ remote students feel supported, informed, and integrated into the university community.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Student Onboarding:
• Develop and facilitate virtual orientation programs tailored to the needs of adult remote learners.
• Provide personalized onboarding support to ensure students understand university resources, policies, and support services.
• Collect and analyze student feedback to improve orientation, engagement, and resource offerings.
• Develop and create weekly workshops on timely topics such as time management skills, study skills, note taking skills, test taking, and campus resources.
• Create and compile surveys using university products such as Qualtrics and Question Pro to track and analyze data to be reported to the division and university partners.
• Track student participation and engagement trends to inform future programming.

Remote Student Success & Engagement:
• Maintain consistent communication through weekly updates, sharing deadlines, university events, and support opportunities.
• Create and manage online student communities and virtual engagement initiatives to foster a sense of belonging. For example, inviting campus partners to present topics of interest. University Career Center – resume writing
• Provide student-centered life skills and learning success strategies to increase student success and well-being. For example, inviting campus partners to present topics of interest - Dukes Support Network, University Health Center
• Provide office hours since this role will be the primary point of contact for remote learners, offering guidance on academic support, financial aid, and other campus services. 

Connection to Resources:
• Provide direct outreach, one-on-one meetings, and continuous support to ensure student success and well-being.
• Stay informed about university and community resources to provide accurate referrals and advocacy for students.
• Stay informed about virtual resources applicable for distance learners.
• Promote student advocacy by addressing concerns and guiding students, faculty, and staff to appropriate resources.

Other Duties as Assigned:
• Serve as a key staff member addressing student concerns, advocating for student needs, and directing individuals to the appropriate campus resources.
• Represent the Adult Degree Program on university-wide committees, staff training programs, and divisional initiatives as relevant to the role.
• Present and educate university faculty and staff on student concerns, early intervention strategies, and factors of risk to enhance institutional support for students.
• Serve as a faculty resource for supporting adult remote learners in the Adult Degree Program & College of Education.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications:
• Demonstrated case management experience.
• Strong problem-solving and organizational skills.
• Ability to effectively engage students virtually and occasionally asynchronously.
• Familiarity with student support technologies, learning management systems, and virtual engagement tools.
• Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Commitment to student success, advocacy, and equity in higher education.

Additional Considerations:
• Experience working with students in a higher education environment.
• Experience in student support services, case management, or working with adult learners in an academic setting.

Conditions of Employment:  

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check.

E-Verify Notice: After accepting employment, new hires are required to complete an I-9 form and present documentation of their identity and eligibility to work in the United States. James Madison University uses the E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.

EEO Statement:

James Madison University is committed to creating and supporting a diverse and inclusive work and educational community that is free of all forms of discrimination. This institution does not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, parental status, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or veteran status.

We promote access, inclusion and diversity for all students, faculty, staff, constituents and programs, believing that these qualities are foundational components of an outstanding education in keeping with our mission. The university is interested in candidates whose experience and qualifications support an ongoing commitment to this core quality.

Anyone having questions concerning discrimination should contact the Office for Equal Opportunity: (540) 568-6991.

Reasonable Accommodation:

If you are an individual with a disability and need assistance searching or applying for jobs please contact us at (540) 568-3597 or jobs@jmu.edu. You may also visit the JMU Human Resource Office, located at 752 Ott Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22807 and we will be happy to assist you.