Mission We are a community committed to preparing students to be educated and enlightened citizens who lead productive and meaningful lives.Vision To be the national model for the engaged university: engaged with ideas and the world.Who We Are Located in the heart of Virginia’s beautiful Shenandoah Valley, the city of Harrisonburg is approximately 120 miles from Washington, D.C. and Richmond, VA. With a population of just over 53,000, Harrisonburg is one of the most diverse communities in the Commonwealth of Virginia. JMU is a selective, public institution with a growing national reputation for offering experiences that lead to an outstanding education and inclusive environment