Economic impact report highlights JMU’s evolution as a university

James Madison University was reclassified by the Carnegie Commission in early 2022 from a master’s-level institution to a research university. That same year, the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service conducted an economic impact study of the university’s activities. What the study revealed was a university in the midst of an evolution.   

The report states, “JMU has significantly expanded its economic development engagement activities and created a one-stop shop to assist its industry and community partners. In 2019, the university formed the University Economic Development Council (UEDC) to serve as a body to guide economic development, strategic planning and better coordinate with community partners. JMU is now leveraging its newly earned designation as a Research 2 Doctoral University by the Carnegie Foundation to prepare for the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities’ (APLU) Innovation and Economic Prosperity (IEP) designation to further enhance its visibility and impact on regional economic and community development.”

Notably, the report also illustrates how JMU already has achieved R2 Doctoral University status:

The JMU office of Research, Economic Development and Innovation (REDI) was recently established to guide the work with the APLU, and is actively engaged in the data collection phase to acquire the IEP designation. 

The full Weldon Cooper report details the university’s elevated activities in the following areas: 

• Workforce Development
• Community Engagement
• Environmental Sustainability
• Research and Development
• Entrepreneurship and Innovation
• Industry Partnerships and Business Growth
• Civic Engagement and Governmental Relations
• Tourism and Amenities
• Diversity

Click here to read about JMU's economic impact on Harrisonburg, the Shenandoah Valley and Virginia.

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