NEW YORK – Under pressure from the US federal government, the University of Virginia President James Ryan has resigned from his position.
In a message to the university community, Ryan said he was stepping down with a “heavy heart” but affirmed his commitment to standing up for what he believes in.
Ryan served as president for seven years but came under intense scrutiny from the Trump administration over policies related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). The U.S. Department of Justice had also sent him a letter seeking clarification on the matter.
Prior to Ryan, the interim president of Columbia University also stepped down under similar circumstances.
In his statement, Ryan explained that he chose to resign in order to protect federal funding, preserve hundreds of jobs, and ensure financial aid and visa status for hundreds of students.
Before joining the University of Virginia, Ryan was the dean of the Graduate School of Education at Harvard University. He was also well known for raising billions of dollars in funding for UVA.
Just one day before his resignation, he had secured $50 million in donations.
“If the issue weren’t so deeply personal, I might have chosen another path,” Ryan said. “But I could not consciously remain in office while risking harm to my colleagues and students. This was a deeply painful decision, and leaving the university in this way breaks my heart.”
Following his resignation, hundreds of students staged a protest on Friday against the Trump administration’s pressure tactics.
In response, Abigail Spanberger, the Democratic candidate for Virginia governor, said that if elected, she would work to restore leadership that prioritizes academic excellence, students and the strength of Virginia’s public colleges and universities over political agendas.
My statement with @MarkWarner on reporting that President Jim Ryan was pressured to resign from the University of Virginia by the Trump Administration: pic.twitter.com/MVC9avbqyw
— Senator Tim Kaine (@SenTimKaine) June 27, 2025
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