JMU announces new director of athletics

James Madison University President Jonathan Alger and the Board of Visitors announced the appointment of Matt Roan as the new director of athletics.

Roan joins JMU from Eastern Kentucky University where he served as AD for 4 years and has additional athletic director experience from Nicholls State University.

He is a native of southwest Virginia and attended Hargrave Military Academy and Virginia Tech.

He also holds a law degree from the University of Kentucky.

In JMU’s release on the hiring, President Alger said, “Matt Roan is an exceptional leader and rising star in the field… He has a firm grasp on our academic mission, financial matters,… and is a proven relationship-builder.”

Under his guidance at EKU, the school saw increases in fundraising of 112%, number of gifts by 97%, number of donors by 84%, and ticket sales by 115%.

He will succeed Jeff Bourne who announced his retirement in September and will exit the university at the end of April.

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JMU president Jonathan Alger resigns

James Madison University announced yesterday that President Jonathan Alger will step down from his role as president at the conclusion of the academic year to accept the same position at American University.

Alger served as president of JMU for 12 years and helped continue to grow JMU into its evolved level of national recognition as a student-centered research university.

Throughout his tenure, Alger was a prominent leader in higher education across the nation and world serving on numerous boards and committees.

Under his leadership, JMU increased external research funding by 92% from 2019-2023 and more than doubled the university’s endowment.

He was also an instrumental part of the athletic department’s transition to the Sun Belt.

In the coming weeks, the Executive Committee of the Board of Visitors will make a recommendation for an acting president then the search process will begin for the next president of the University.

To view JMU’s announcement, click here.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.