{"id":440,"date":"2025-07-30T13:15:32","date_gmt":"2025-07-30T17:15:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aig.uvaalumni.org\/ubunye\/?p=440"},"modified":"2026-09-15T13:16:51","modified_gmt":"2026-09-15T17:16:51","slug":"ubunye-statement-on-the-university-presidential-leadership-transition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aig.uvaalumni.org\/ubunye\/2025\/07\/ubunye-statement-on-the-university-presidential-leadership-transition\/","title":{"rendered":"Ubunye Statement on the University Presidential Leadership Transition"},"content":{"rendered":"

The University of Virginia faces reputational challenges and great uncertainty due to recent federal policy
\nchanges and institutional responses. As alumni, we recognize the importance of preserving the respect
\nand standing our university has built over more than two centuries. Moving forward, however, we believe
\ntoday\u2019s challenges can indeed be transformed into tomorrow\u2019s opportunities, according us a precious
\nchance during this period of transition to strengthen academic governance while upholding the
\nuniversity’s core mission and commitment to excellence.<\/p>\n

First, we acknowledge and applaud the racial diversity of the membership of the named Special
\nCommittee on the Nomination of a President. Having six Black persons is an unexpected improvement
\nover past search committees of this stature and importance. Although their cultural, economic, and
\npolitical perspective may vary, it is noteworthy to recognize such due to the historical exclusion of people
\nof color in academic leadership.<\/p>\n

Second, we believe that the charge of the Committee to make recommendations to the Board of Visitors
\nrequires a sincere intentionality to foster equity throughout the process. The entire university community \u2013 alumni, donors, faculty, staff, and students \u2013 must have access to Committee members. We are hopeful that there will be full:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Transparency, as allowed by policy and law.<\/li>\n
  2. Engagement to ensure opportunities for advice, feedback, and ideas.<\/li>\n
  3. Communication that is up-to-date, comprehensive, and direct.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Third, we understand that the Committee will not make the decision to hire the 10th president of the
    \nuniversity. However, the Committee can set a civil environment and reflect the urgent need to install a
    \nvisionary leader who is courageous, just, and kind.<\/p>\n

    As alumni who continue to support the university during the good and tough times, we are mindful of how easily we can all fall prey to the belief that things will just work out. As K.A. Porter states, \u201cThe past is never where you think you left it.\u201d Thus, we take note, pay attention, speak out, and move towards that which is moral and honorable.<\/p>\n

    Deborah Stroman, PhD (Educ<\/abbr> class of <\/span>\u201982)<\/strong>, President
    \nRodney Rhodes (Batten<\/abbr> class of <\/span>\u201923)<\/strong>, Co-President
    \nMilla Ciprian (Col<\/abbr> class of <\/span>\u201922)<\/strong>, Corresponding Secretary
    \nMona Edwards (Col<\/abbr> class of <\/span>\u201979)<\/strong>, University Governance
    \nPaul Harris, PhD (Educ<\/abbr> class of <\/span>\u201901)<\/strong>, Academics
    \nDonna Johnson, Esq. (Col<\/abbr> class of <\/span>\u201983)<\/strong>, Recording Secretary
    \nJonathan Morgan, PhD (Col<\/abbr> class of <\/span>\u201991)<\/strong>, Academics
    \nRobert Smith (Col<\/abbr> class of <\/span>\u201983)<\/strong>, University Governance
    \nCh\u00e9la Wallace (Col<\/abbr> class of <\/span>\u201906)<\/strong>, Ubunye Academic Committee<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    The University of Virginia faces reputational challenges and great uncertainty due to recent federal policy changes and institutional responses. As alumni, we recognize the importance of preserving the respect and standing our university has built over more than two centuries. Moving forward, however, we believe today\u2019s challenges can indeed be transformed into tomorrow\u2019s opportunities, according […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":107,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-440","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nUbunye Statement on the University Presidential Leadership Transition - Ubunye: UVA Black Alumni<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/aig.uvaalumni.org\/ubunye\/2025\/07\/ubunye-statement-on-the-university-presidential-leadership-transition\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Ubunye Statement on the University Presidential Leadership Transition - Ubunye: UVA Black Alumni\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The University of Virginia faces reputational challenges and great uncertainty due to recent federal policy changes and institutional responses. 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