The University of Virginia is searching for an interim leader.
The University of Virginia is accepting nominations for an interim president to replace former executive James Ryan, who announced his resignation late last month under pressure from the Department of Justice. Ryan officially stepped down last Friday.
The nomination form will remain open to all members of the university community through July 25. Then the board will conduct a series of listening sessions with faculty, staff, division leaders and students.
“The Board of Visitors is committed to working closely with members of our community to hear their perspectives and ensure stability and continuity going forward,” board rector Rachel Sheridan said in a news release. “Shared governance is a core value of this institution and we will uphold it as we pursue the selection of an interim president, as well as our 10th university president after that.”
In the meantime, Jennifer Wagner Davis, the university’s chief operating officer, is serving as acting president.
The Justice Department had accused Ryan and the flagship institution of failing to eliminate all DEI programs on campus, violating Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color and national origin. The letters said that Ryan and his “proxies” had made “little attempt to disguise their contempt and intent to defy these fundamental civil rights.” But the Trump administration has said multiple times that it did not demand Ryan’s resignation verbally or via the letters.
