Nat Scurry recently was appointed as the University's associate vice president and interim chief human resource officer. As head of Human Resources, Scurry will be responsible for human resource strategy and management of daily operations, overseeing a $6 million budget and managing a 90-member staff that serves 12,000 salaried employees and 5,000 hourly employees. He also will serve as principal advisor to Yoke San Reynolds, the vice president for finance and chief financial officer of the University.
"Scurry comes to the University after a distinguished career in government service," University spokesperson Carol Wood said. "He most recently has served as regional administrator for the Environmental Protection Agency in Kansas."
Scurry also was a senior policy and budget executive at the White House Office of Management and Budget and director of budget and resources for the District of Columbia. In addition to his experience, Scurry brings enthusiasm and personality to the Human Resource department, Wood said.
"When I met him, I found him high energy, creative and thoughtful," she said. "I thought to myself, 'Here is somebody who could really make a great contribution the University community.'"
Scurry cited his military experience in the Vietnam War as the most significant period in his career and attributed his leadership abilities to his military service. At the age of 19, he was responsible for directing 20 men out of an ambush situation in Vietnam and all the men emerged unharmed, he said.
Scurry said he strives to be the type of leader in the office that he was on the battlefield.
"My job is about [working with] people; it's about being the kind of leader that someone wants to follow because they admire you, not because they have to," Scurry said. "When my men looked me in the eye and they saw my confidence, they said, 'Let's go.' I try to bring that kind of leadership to the table."
Scurry emphasized that his primary goal is to benefit students by creating conditions that retain the best faculty.
"First, I want to make sure that we become a full partner in working with University employees, therefore delivering services to the students, our principal reason for being here," Scurry said. "All our employees, regardless of their status, consider us an employer of choice. We strive to provide them with quality and service. We must provide in our resources the benefits and amenities that our employees need."
Scurry said he will strive to be accessible to staff and collaborate with schools and departments on Grounds.
"I advocate and promote teamwork, collaboration and joint ventures," Scurry said. "This is something that I think the Human Resources office could do a lot more of. As we move into the Grounds and meet with faculty, staff and administrators, there are certain things we can do for them and things they can do for us to make things better."
Scurry said he is enthusiastic about his new position and looks optimistically toward his future and the future of the University Human Resources.
"I am extraordinarily fortunate to have this opportunity," Scurry said. "I have a great responsibility and am extremely flattered. I will not disappoint."
Scurry replaces former Human Resources Director Thomas E. Gausvik, who will become the associate vice president for human resources at the University of Georgia effective Dec. 1.
Read More
U.Va. loses over $60 million in federal research cuts
By Bertie Azqueta | 16 hours agoThe impacted grants include three from the NIH, seven from the NEH, one from the United States Agency for International Development and four from the State Department.
Department of Education reverses course, awards Federal Executive Institute to U.Va.
By Ford McCracken | 3 days agoThe ED had previously awarded the institute to Charlottesville City Schools.
Students reflect on the life and legacy of Pope Francis
By Bertie Azqueta | 4 days agoAt the University, students shared a range of perspectives on his legacy of reform, inclusivity and his impact on the global Catholic community.
