HARRISONBURG, VA (Rocktown Now) — The 7th James Madison University President James C. Schmidt held a media event Wednesday afternoon on campus to introduce himself to local outlets and to highlight upcoming plans for the university’s future. 

During his opening remarks, President Schmidt highlighted that he has taken the time to meet the community inside and outside campus. 

One of his main goals as President is to ask students, “why did you choose JMU?” 

“Tell me what you love most about it,” said President Schmidt. “Tell me what you want to do when you leave JMU. Because frankly, all of the decisions I’ll be making as President start with what’s best for students.”

President Schmidt said they are working on how JMU students can have the best possible experience.

He also announced that one of his goals will be working on a Strategic Planning effort. 

The University Strategic Planning focuses on five primary goals for JMU and President Schmidt said it will be an inclusive process. 

“We’re talking to all major stakeholders of the university starting with faculty, staff, and students,” said President Schmidt. “Certainly alums, community members, businesses, legislatures. There is a lot we’ll be taking in.”

His goal is to spell out the work during the year and he has hope to finish the Strategic Planning by the end of the year. 

President Schmidt said he wants to explore the question, “what are things that JMU can do that no other university has stepped up to do?”