The Board of Visitors convened at a special meeting Friday morning for their first session attended by the new appointees to appoint a new Rector and Vice Rector and discuss upcoming Board meetings March 5-6. Following a vote, Carlos Brown, Class of 1996 and Law Class of 1999 alumnus and previous Board member appointed by former Gov. Ralph Northam (D), was elected as Rector. Victoria Harker, Class of 1986 alumna and previous Board member appointed by former Gov. Robert McDonnell (R) in 2012, was voted as Vice Rector.
Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) appointed 10 new members to the Board Jan. 17 to fill vacancies after the resignation of five members — including former Rector Rachel Sheridan and former Vice Rector Porter Wilkinson — at her request.
Under Virginia law, members of the Board are appointed by the governor and serve four-year terms. The Board is responsible for oversight of the University’s academic financial affairs and operations, including setting tuition, approving annual budgets and appointing the University president.
During the General Assembly regular session, the resolution to confirm Spanberger’s appointments passed both the Senate and House of Delegates Feb. 11, approving the governor’s appointees to the Board.
The meeting Friday began with a motion to enter closed session to discuss the elections of a Rector and Vice Rector. After deliberating in closed session, Board members reconvened in open session where members formally voted to elect Brown as Rector and Harker as Vice Rector.
“It’s very humbling and an honor to be able to serve as Rector,” Brown said.
Brown and Harker will begin their roles immediately and will serve the remainder of the two-year term vacated by Sheridan and Wilkinson — which is set to conclude June 30, 2027.
Brown previously served on the Board from 2021-25 and served as vice rector June 2023 through June 2025 under former Rector Robert Hardie. He is currently president of Dominion Energy Services Inc. and has also previously served on boards including non-profit organization Feed More, Christopher Newport University, and the Virginia Small Business Advisory Board as well as transition teams for Northam and former Mayor of Richmond Dwight Jones (D).
Harker previously served on the Board from 2012-16 where she chaired the Finance Committee and served as a member of the Executive Committee, the Academic Affairs Committee and the Health System Board. She currently serves as a member of the University Health System Board, Chair of the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy Board and Treasurer of the Rare Book School Board.
During the meeting, Board members revised the schedule for the upcoming Board meeting, which will now be a one-day committee session March 6 instead of the previously planned meetings spanning March 5-6. Harker and two other Board members will be unable to attend the sessions.
The revised one-day session will feature committee updates, including updates from the Health System Board, the Buildings and Grounds Committee, the Finance Committee and the Academic Affairs Committee. This meeting will be followed by a full Board meeting April 8 to address important action items such as tuition and the University budget.
In accordance with Virginia law, the Board must provide a notice of a proposed tuition or mandatory fee increase and a public comment meeting at least 30 days prior to the vote on an increase.
University President Scott Beardsley also delivered remarks during the meeting, congratulating Brown and Harker on their appointments and thanking Board members for their service to the University. Beardsley emphasized the importance of working with the new Board members to advance the University’s mission of education, patient care and public service.
Reflecting on his 11 years as the dean of the Darden Business School, Beardsley said that achieving excellence will require steady, incremental progress rather than bold gestures. He emphasized the importance of building a strong, collaborative team and noted that true excellence is measured by how the University fulfills its mission of serving the community.
“Excellence doesn’t come from dramatic gestures but changing everything, but from a lot of small improvements, steady leadership, one by one, and by building a great team to work steadily with improvement towards advancing our mission,” Beardsley said. “U.Va. must pursue the highest standards, not just for prestige alone, but in the service of others.”
The Board plans to convene for a regular meeting of the full Board March 6 to review committee updates and address ongoing University issues.
Read More
Student Council presidential candidates discuss platforms to be a voice for students
By Lauren Seeliger | YesterdayStudent Council presidential candidates for the 2026 election participated in a Student Council presidential debate hosted by The Cavalier Daily and the University Board of Elections Sunday
Student Council leaders emphasize unity amid fallout from Beardsley resolution
By Brendon Bordwine | YesterdayThe resolution, passed Jan. 27 by the Representative Body, affirmed student support for institutional stability while also expressing concern about the process by which Beardsley was appointed.
U.Va. Dine plans to expand O’Hill hours and food options for Ramadan
By Komal Reddymachu | 2 days agoU.Va. Dine plans to extend the availability of meals at central dining locations for Ramadan, the holiest month of the Islamic calendar, according to U.Va. Dine Marketing Manager Andrew Smith.
