University of Virginia President Jim Ryan has reportedly submitted his resignation to the Board of Visitors, according to a June 27 article from the New York Times. His exit comes amid pressure from the United States Department of Justice—who called for Ryan’s removal in connection with the university’s diversity, equity, and inclusion policies.
Ryan, who previously served as dean of the Harvard Graduate School of Education, was named president of UVA in 2018. Ryan’s letter of resignation, as obtained by the Times, indicates that he planned to step down at the end of the 2025-2026 academic year, but is leaving now due to “the circumstances and today’s conversations.”
The Times obtained the letter and information from sources “briefed on the letter,” and others familiar with the situation, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. At press time, they have not published the full text of the alleged resignation letter.
The Board of Visitors has allegedly accepted Ryan’s resignation.
Earlier this year, UVA responded to pressure from the Trump administration by phasing out its diversity, equity, and inclusion policies. The DOJ is currently investigating UVA for misrepresenting its actions, and allegedly continuing its DEI programming despite public claims to the contrary.
The DOJ investigation into UVA is the latest escalation of the Trump administration’s efforts to exert more federal control over higher education in the U.S.
“Virginia’s economy and prosperity depend on the strength and integrity of our higher education system. It is outrageous that officials in the Trump Department of Justice demanded the Commonwealth’s globally recognized university remove President Ryan—a strong leader who has served UVA honorably and moved the university forward—over ridiculous ‘culture war’ traps,” said Virginia Sens. Tim Kaine and Mark Warner in a June 27 statement. “Decisions about UVA’s leadership belong solely to its Board of Visitors, in keeping with Virginia’s well-established and respected system of higher education governance. This is a mistake that hurts Virginia’s future.”
This is a developing story. At press time, UVA has not confirmed Ryan’s resignation, nor has the DOJ publicly commented on the situation.
