The University Board of Visitors appointed Carlos M. Brown to serve as Board rector Feb. 20. As he enters his term, Brown said his primary mission is to focus on academic excellence, and his secondary goals include creating accountability, community trust, affordability, accessibility and aligned leadership.
Brown previously served on the Board from July 2021 to June 2025 under former University President Jim Ryan, and he served as vice rector from June 2023 to June 2025. Additionally, Brown is an alumnus of the University, and his professional experience includes work as a business executive and lawyer. He currently serves as the executive vice president, chief administrative and projects officer and corporate secretary of Dominion Energy. Brown said he brings all of these professional experiences to his role as rector.
Acknowledging divisions sewn between the Board and University-affiliated organizations over the past several months, Brown said that some bonds of shared trust have been broken. Various University stakeholders — including faculty, student and alumni organizations — took issue with Ryan’s resignation and the Board’s process of appointing University President Scott Beardsley, citing a lack of transparency and responsiveness from the Board. To proceed in improving relations, Brown said the Board and University stakeholders must work together to realign towards a common mission of improving the University…