Jaylynn Perez is a third-year College student from Chesapeake, Va., majoring in Government and minoring in Public Policy and Leadership in the Batten School. She currently serves as news senior associate editor and video staffer. She frequently covers topics such as student self-governance organizations, University governance and local politics.
Here is a closer look at student self-governance organizations at the University, beginning with the organization that administers elections for several of the governing bodies.
Grushka-Cockayne’s appointment succeeds Beardsley — who stepped down as Darden dean when he assumed the University presidency Jan. 1.
The Faculty Senate — a body of approximately 82 elected faculty representatives from across the University’s schools — represents faculty on academic matters affecting multiple schools such as degree programs and major curriculum changes.
Signed as part of Spanberger’s broader Affordable Virginia Plan, the bills sought to address rising healthcare costs through changes affecting medication pricing, insurance practices and patient coverage, according to several legislators.
The University’s full Board of Visitors convened Friday afternoon to hear remarks from University President Scott Beardsley — who outlined preliminary priorities for the University’s next strategic plan — and remarks from the chair and vice chair of the Health System Board.
The Academic and Student Life Committee oversees University operations related to student affairs, including athletics, safety, residential life and dining.
Mitchell said he plans to prioritize building Student Council’s long-term financial stability through an endowment, expanding access and awareness of mental health resources and increasing the Council’s visibility and engagement with the broader student body.
Representatives also swore in third-year College student Saehee Pérez as Student Council vice president for administration and third-year Batten student Harper Tran as vice president for organizations.
Objectives detailed by Gilmore include communication with University administration, overseeing the UBE’s budget, increasing student engagement and conducting an annual internal review.
The Board named Jackson Sleadd, Class of 2027 President and third-year College student, and Jeri Seidman, outgoing Faculty Senate chair and professor of Commerce, as the incoming student and faculty representatives to the University’s Board for the 2026-27 academic year.
