The abrupt ending to James E. Ryan’s service as the president of the University of Virginia raises questions about how the remaining pages of this dizzying chapter in our University’s history will be written. As leaders of UVA’s Staff Senate, we write today out of our firm commitment to ensuring that important features of the past seven years can inform the coming weeks and months, for the benefit of all.
Staff Senate is the elected body responsible for representing 7,800 staff members across the University’s academic division, a widely varied group of public servants and higher education professionals on which the University increasingly relies as a growing proportion of its workforce. Under President Ryan’s leadership, we have built strong partnerships with administration across Grounds. Staff Senate has been encouraged to foster innovations and a culture of excellence ensuring that UVA is a place where staff can thrive and contribute to the University’s service to Virginia, the nation, and the world. Staff Senate and UVA leadership have been mutually committed to fruitful collaborations furthering progress toward the University’s strategic goals.
We have deep appreciation for President Ryan’s commitment to honor, integrity, trust, and respect. Working across an enterprise as complex as UVA, we would not see so many manifestations of these shared foundational values without such leadership. We remain dedicated to sustaining these values throughout our two dozen administrative areas and schools and will expect the same of everyone in leadership at the University.
Staff Senate is committed to engaging fully with UVA leadership throughout all stages of the coming transitions. We anticipate continuing a strong working relationship with Jennifer Wagner Davis during her service as acting president.
As the University moves through what will surely remain a precarious period, the Staff Senate expects our investment in robust and respectful engagement on behalf of staff to be reciprocated by those charged with steering the University through crucial challenges.
We share and support the Faculty Senate’s expectations for the qualifications of an interim president as outlined in their July 11, 2025 Resolution on the Selection of an Interim President for the University of Virginia. We join their call for the Rector and the Board of Visitors to ensure that staff—as well as faculty, students, and other key members of the University community—are included as full partners in the selection process.
Looking ahead to the broader presidential search, the Staff Senate seeks to engage not only with the outcome, but with each stage of the process—from the composition of the search committee to the successful appointment of the University’s 10th president. Staff bring essential perspectives, experience, and dedication to the University’s mission, and their involvement will be vital to selecting a leader who can unite and inspire the entire University community.