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Several U.Va. Board Members Resign as a Democratic Governor Takes Power
Several U.Va. Board Members Resign as a Democratic Governor Takes Power
After months of upheaval at the state’s flagship university, a new Democratic governor appeared ready to shake up the school’s leadership.
Virginia’s governor-elect, Abigail Spanberger, will be sworn in on Saturday. Saul Loeb/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images
By Michael S. Schmidt and Stephanie Saul
Jan. 16, 2026
The head of the board overseeing the University of Virginia and two other top board members, including a major donor to the school, resigned on Friday under pressure from the state’s incoming Democratic governor, according to two people briefed on the matter and letters obtained by The New York Times. ... The resignations came after the new governor, Abigail Spanberger, asked at least five members of the board to step aside as she takes office on Saturday.
Ms. Spanberger has not said why she asked the board members to resign, but they were all involved last year when the Justice Department, in an extraordinary use of its power, bullied the university’s president into resigning. After Ms. Spanberger was elected in November, she asked the board to delay naming a replacement, but it went ahead and appointed a new president anyway.
Those who submitted resignations on Friday were Rachel Sheridan, the head of the board, known at the University of Virginia as the rector; Porter Wilkinson, the vice rector; and Paul Manning, a board member and major donor who gave $100 million to the university just a few years ago, according to the letters. ... There are 17 seats on the Board of Visitors, which oversees the school, but before the resignations on Friday, there were only 12 members, all appointed by the outgoing governor, Glenn Youngkin, a Republican. At least two other members of the board were asked to resign but so far have resisted. It is unclear if Ms. Spanberger has asked the rest of the board members to resign.
{snip}
Other schools in the state may also be poised for leadership changes. One of George Mason University’s board members, Charles D. Stimson, offered his resignation to Governor Youngkin on Friday, according to a letter that was obtained by The Times. ... Mr. Stimson, who also works for the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, had been the chair of George Mason’s board. The school had also experienced turmoil over the summer, after the Trump administration targeted its president, Gregory N. Washington, over his support of diversity programs and asked him to personally apologize. ... George Mason said it would not have any comment about Mr. Stimson’s resignation. Mr. Stimson did not respond immediately to a request for comment.
A correction was made on Jan. 16, 2026: An earlier version of this article misstated when the Trump administration’s pressure campaign against the University of Virginia started. It was last year, not earlier this year.
When we learn of a mistake, we acknowledge it with a correction. If you spot an error, please let us know at corrections@nytimes.com.Learn more
Michael S. Schmidt is an investigative reporter for The Times covering Washington. His work focuses on tracking and explaining high-profile federal investigations.
Stephanie Saul reports on colleges and universities, with a recent focus on the dramatic changes in college admissions and the debate around diversity, equity and inclusion in higher education.
After months of upheaval at the state’s flagship university, a new Democratic governor appeared ready to shake up the school’s leadership.
Virginia’s governor-elect, Abigail Spanberger, will be sworn in on Saturday. Saul Loeb/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images
By Michael S. Schmidt and Stephanie Saul
Jan. 16, 2026
The head of the board overseeing the University of Virginia and two other top board members, including a major donor to the school, resigned on Friday under pressure from the state’s incoming Democratic governor, according to two people briefed on the matter and letters obtained by The New York Times. ... The resignations came after the new governor, Abigail Spanberger, asked at least five members of the board to step aside as she takes office on Saturday.
Ms. Spanberger has not said why she asked the board members to resign, but they were all involved last year when the Justice Department, in an extraordinary use of its power, bullied the university’s president into resigning. After Ms. Spanberger was elected in November, she asked the board to delay naming a replacement, but it went ahead and appointed a new president anyway.
Those who submitted resignations on Friday were Rachel Sheridan, the head of the board, known at the University of Virginia as the rector; Porter Wilkinson, the vice rector; and Paul Manning, a board member and major donor who gave $100 million to the university just a few years ago, according to the letters. ... There are 17 seats on the Board of Visitors, which oversees the school, but before the resignations on Friday, there were only 12 members, all appointed by the outgoing governor, Glenn Youngkin, a Republican. At least two other members of the board were asked to resign but so far have resisted. It is unclear if Ms. Spanberger has asked the rest of the board members to resign.
{snip}
Other schools in the state may also be poised for leadership changes. One of George Mason University’s board members, Charles D. Stimson, offered his resignation to Governor Youngkin on Friday, according to a letter that was obtained by The Times. ... Mr. Stimson, who also works for the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, had been the chair of George Mason’s board. The school had also experienced turmoil over the summer, after the Trump administration targeted its president, Gregory N. Washington, over his support of diversity programs and asked him to personally apologize. ... George Mason said it would not have any comment about Mr. Stimson’s resignation. Mr. Stimson did not respond immediately to a request for comment.
A correction was made on Jan. 16, 2026: An earlier version of this article misstated when the Trump administration’s pressure campaign against the University of Virginia started. It was last year, not earlier this year.
When we learn of a mistake, we acknowledge it with a correction. If you spot an error, please let us know at corrections@nytimes.com.Learn more
Michael S. Schmidt is an investigative reporter for The Times covering Washington. His work focuses on tracking and explaining high-profile federal investigations.
Stephanie Saul reports on colleges and universities, with a recent focus on the dramatic changes in college admissions and the debate around diversity, equity and inclusion in higher education.