New Leadership and the U.Va. Board: What Happened and Why It Matters

Abigail Spanberger was sworn in as Virginia’s governor on January 17, 2026, and she moved quickly to signal a new approach to oversight of public universities. A University of Virginia alumna, she said she would fill five open seats on the U.Va. Board of Visitors and undertake a review of board leadership to restore confidence in the institution’s governance.

The university has been in turmoil since the spring of 2025, when its governing board voted to dissolve the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and federal officials initiated a review that preceded President Jim Ryan’s resignation in June 2025. The board later selected Scott Beardsley as the university’s next president; he assumed the post on January 1, 2026, a choice that drew criticism from faculty and students who had urged a delay.

The Faculty Senate passed resolutions calling for a review of the board and for the governor to remove members whose conduct had fallen short of visitor responsibilities. She asked at least five board members to resign as she took power, and several of Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s earlier appointees had faced legal challenges and rejections by the state Senate.

University officials have said they will work with state leaders to protect research funding and student services, while faculty leaders have vowed continued oversight of governance. The coming confirmations will test whether the governor can rebuild consensus around U.Va.'s mission.