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. She has said she will fill five open seats on the University of Virginia’s Board of Visitors and begin reviewing board leadership. Earlier, she had asked the board to pause its search for a new university president until she could appoint new members.

The university has been under strain since President Jim Ryan resigned in June 2025 after what university statements and major news outlets described as pressure tied to a Justice Department review of diversity programs. The Faculty Senate has passed resolutions calling for a review of the board and asking that leaders step down, and campus groups have repeatedly expressed no confidence in board governance. She asked at least five board members to resign as she took power, while she and her team have emphasized the need for stable, credible leadership.

Spanberger is a University of Virginia alumna and has said she wants to restore trust in the university’s governance. Several changes will be reviewed through formal appointment and confirmation processes in the General Assembly.