Spanberger asks several UVA board members to resign as she prepares for inauguration: Report

It was not immediately clear whether the board members will voluntarily resign their posts, or risk being removed by Spanberger when she takes office Saturday.

Published: January 16, 2026 7:17pm

Incoming Democratic Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger reportedly asked at least five University of Virginia board members to resign, the New York Times reported Friday, a day before the governor-elect is scheduled to be sworn into office.

Sources told the outlet that UVA board chair Rachel Sheridan and Paul Manning, a board member who is also a major donor to the school, were among those asked to resign. All 12 of the university's board members were appointed by outgoing Gov. Glenn Youngkin, a Republican.

It was not immediately clear whether the board members will voluntarily resign their posts, or risk being removed by Spanberger when she takes office Saturday. 

Spanberger's pressure for the board to resign comes after former UVA President Jim Ryan resigned last year amid pressure from the Trump administration as a condition for it ending a probe into the institution's diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.

The UVA board named longtime Darden School of Business Dean Scott Beardsley as Ryan's replacement last month. 

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.

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