JMU announces James Schmidt as seventh president
VENN
HARRISONBURG, Va. (WRIC) -- The seventh president of James Madison University (JMU) has been announced following a meeting of the Board of Visitors at Wilson Hall on Wednesday.
According to an announcement from JMU on Wednesday, March 26, Schmidt was elected by the presidential search committee and the search firm Russell Reynolds Associates and will officially be appointed on Tuesday, July 1. The presidential search committee comprises the Board of Visitors, a student representative and faculty.
“I am honored to serve as the next president of James Madison University,” Schmidt said. “Over three decades in public higher education has prepared me to lead this great institution into the future, and I am committed to leading JMU’s vision and strategic direction, enhancing academic excellence and research, and ensuring an exceptional student experience.”
Dr. James C. Schmidt (Photo Courtesy: JMU)
In March 2024, former JMU President Jonathan Alger announced that he would be stepping down after 12 years to accept the presidency at American University in Washington, D.C. Charlie King became JMU’s interim president on July 1, 2024.
Schmidt has over 30 years of experience working in higher education and is currently the chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, according to the college. During his time with JMU, UW-Eau Claire has been ranked among the top 10 regional public universities in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report. It is also the only master's-level university in Wisconsin among the top 20 nationally for student participation in study abroad.
The college says Schmidt brought in $70 million to help construct an indoor athletics facility and event center in Wisconsin -- and JMU will complete a 330,000-square-foot science and health sciences building.
“It is an honor to welcome Jim into the JMU community,” said King, the current interim president of JMU. “I look forward to our partnership in the coming months as we will collectively work to ensure this transition continues to be seamless. I take great pride in this institution and will do everything I can to support the board and our new president during this transition.”
