**UVA President James Ryan Resigns Amid Diversity Probe**
**Meta Description:** University of Virginia President James Ryan resigns amid scrutiny of diversity efforts by the Trump administration, highlighting pressures on higher education.
**URL Slug:** uva-president-james-ryan-resignation
**James Ryan Resigns as President of the University of Virginia Amid Federal Scrutiny**
James Ryan, the President of the University of Virginia, has announced his resignation during a Zoom meeting with university leadership, as reported by sources familiar with the situation. His departure comes in the wake of a federal investigation into the university’s diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, initiated by the Trump administration.
In a statement, Virginia’s Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin expressed gratitude for Ryan’s service, stating, “I thank President Ryan for his service and his hard work on behalf of the University of Virginia.” He also expressed confidence in the Board of Visitors to appoint a strong interim leader and to conduct a national search for a new president.
Ryan’s resignation highlights the increasing pressure on U.S. higher education institutions from the Trump administration, which has previously cut federal funding to schools like Harvard University and launched investigations into colleges for alleged “race-exclusionary” practices. The New York Times reported that the Justice Department had requested Ryan’s resignation as a condition for resolving a civil rights investigation concerning the university’s diversity practices.
As the ninth president of the University of Virginia, Ryan was known for advocating diversity, although he faced criticism from conservative alumni and board members who labeled him as “too woke.” He took office in 2018 after serving as the dean of Harvard’s Graduate School of Education and holds a law degree from the University of Virginia.
In March, the university’s governing board voted to disband its diversity, equity, and inclusion office, reflecting a shift in institutional priorities. Recently, Governor Youngkin appointed four new members to the board, including a vice chairman from Goldman Sachs and a former CFO of Carlyle Group, where Youngkin previously served as co-CEO.
The University of Virginia has not yet responded to requests for further comment regarding Ryan’s resignation and the ongoing investigations.
**FAQ**
**What prompted James Ryan’s resignation from the University of Virginia?**
James Ryan resigned amid a federal investigation into the university’s diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, which was initiated by the Trump administration.
