Career and academic services offices join forces in new CAPS

(Above) Sara Hodges advises Hart School student

The recently established Center for Academic and Professional Success (CAPS) provides Hart School students with a more streamlined support system for career development and academic advising during their education at JMU—and it now has a devoted space in a third-floor suite within the Hart School wing of Godwin Hall.

In early 2020, staff members Sara Hodges and Jen Nelson served alongside faculty member Angela Hayslett as a strategic planning committee charged with the creation of a merged academic and career student support center. As part of their research, they traveled to Kennesaw State University to visit the Coles College of Business Undergraduate Programs Advising Center, where they toured facilities, interviewed staff, and learned more about the programming offered through their center.

Jen Nelson eventually moved on, and Hannah Dillenbeck joined as an academic advisor in the 2020-21 academic year. She has been at JMU since 2017 and previously served as academic advisor to international students enrolled in the Study Group English bridge program.

Now, the result of this planning and work is ready for students and as they return to campus for the Fall 2021 semester.