The head of the executive search firm assisting the University of Virginia find a new president says it faces a “major obstacle” — but has not publicly disclosed just what that major obstacle is.
John Isaacson, founder and chair of the Boston firm of Isaacson, Miller, says the search remains ahead of schedule regardless.
“We have rarely moved this quickly, and we have a major obstacle in front of us, but we have moved exceptionally well so far,” he told the 28-member presidential search committee at a Monday meeting just outside of Charlottesville at the Boar’s Head Resort.
He told the committee he would discuss the major obstacle further when he and his firm reached that point in the search.
What is known, and what was affirmed at Monday’s meeting, is that trust in university leadership has eroded since President Jim Ryan resigned in July under pressure from the Trump administration Department of Justice, which alleged he was slow-walking and misrepresenting the dismantling of diversity policies at UVa.
Students and faculty have challenged the makeup of the search committee tasked with finding Ryan’s replacement, claiming they do not feel fully represented. And multiple groups across Grounds have passed votes of no confidence in the university’s governing Board of Visitors and its ability to find a 10th president for the school.
Former UVa Rector George Martin — who is leading a subcommittee tasked with gathering input from faculty, staff and administrators — told told the broader committee more voices need to be included in the conversation.
“[There is a] strong feeling that the new president will have to work very hard to rebuild trust with students, faculty and staff,” he said. “I think the consensus is that we should do more outreach, but we can vary the design of that outreach. And it’s very important … that more people feel like they are involved in the process.”
Isaacson told the committee that there have been eight listening sessions with major constituencies: faculty, staff, undergraduates and graduate students, alumni, donors, UVa Health System employees, the college deans and senior leadership — and there would be more.
“I’ll just say that they have been more candid, clearer and more insightful than we usually experience,” he added.
Committee members, however, said that those engagements have been, for the most part, smaller groups hosted virtually.
Babur Lateef, a former Board of Visitors member and current graduate student at UVa, said that the subcommittee gathering feedback from students is trying to set up a broader invitation and possibly an in-person gathering to solicit input.
Kenyon Bonner, UVa’s chief student affairs officer, said the subcommittee soliciting input had “done a great job … of reaching out and providing opportunities for students who are in formal leadership roles.”
But when asked by UVa Rector Rachel Sheridan if the group believed it had reached all student groups, Lateef said, “No, we might not be, so that’s why we’re going to make this extra effort over the next couple of weeks to really try to do that.”
Lateef and Bonner, knowingly or not, echoed the remarks made by Student Council President Clay Dickerson at a protest outside a Board of Visitors meeting earlier this month.
“Things can’t continue as they’re going, whether it be adding more student representation, whether it be hosting more open listening sessions,” he said. “I attended one recently — there was seven students in the call. That’s not representative.”
Sheridan agreed at Monday’s meeting and emphasized that “we started with some elected representatives, but we really need to drill down, because there are so many views and many numbers of individuals that represent these groups underneath … the elected people.”
The committee also discussed Monday what qualities members would like to see in the next president, which will be assembled into a presidential “profile.”
An online survey, which has received more than 300 responses, found that the university community’s top priorities are maintaining UVa’s position as a leader in national higher education, recruiting and retaining high-quality faculty, maintaining access and affordability, enhancing academic excellence, and improving the depth and breadth of research and scholarship.
The top personal characteristics identified in the survey are leadership skills, strong judgment, decision-making skills, the ability to connect with people across different backgrounds, commitment to advancing the academic mission of UVa, appreciation for shared governance, and the ability to be forward-thinking, creative and have innovative ideas.
While the priorities have been voiced, a final presidential profile has yet to be finalized.
“We are in the process of fine-tuning the position profile or description, so that all aspects of the role are included and so the tone is pitch perfect,” said Pam Edmonds, a UVa Health Foundation trustee.
The presidential search committee is set to meet again in October and early November, with interviews scheduled for late November. Roughly one month has passed since the search for the next president kicked off; it is expected to take four to six months.
A website was launched in August, presidentialsearch.virginia.edu, to keep stakeholders informed of important dates and decisions. The website also includes links for community input, applications, nominations, general questions and information regarding the committee and its members.
David Velazquez (919) 612-7026
david.velazquez@dailyprogress.com
@velazqdave on X
Want to see more like this?
Get our local education coverage delivered directly to your inbox.
* I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.
David Velazquez
Government & Politics Reporter
Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily!
Your notification has been saved.
There was a problem saving your notification.
{{description}}
Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
Followed notifications
Please log in to use this feature
Log In
Don’t have an account? Sign Up Today