James Madison University recently announced an initiative that aims to support students after graduation. The school will now offer free career resources and additional undergraduate coursework to bachelor’s degree recipients who do not achieve “a positive career outcome” within a year of graduating.
A positive career outcome is identified as employment, enlistment, or a service year.
The agreement is half of what is officially called The JMU Guarantees, according to JMU News. The second guarantee is meant to support employers who hire JMU students.
The university says it will provide coaching and continued learning opportunities to help those employers fill identified gaps in workplace skills.
JMU officials say these new guarantees demonstrate confidence in the school’s graduates. They also say the initiative shows a commitment to helping graduates succeed.
“We have tremendous confidence in our students and in the education they receive at JMU,” says Jim Schmidt, JMU’s president. “The guarantees are our way of putting that confidence into action.”
University officials also see the new initiatives as a way to restore faith in the value of a college degree. They will take effect starting with the Class of 2027.
