Teresa Sullivan Leaving Presidency of the University of Virginia

In a surprise announcement, the University of Virginia announced that the board of visitors and Teresa A. Sullivan had “mutually agreed” that she would step down as president of the university, effective August 15. She has been president for two years and is the only woman to have served as president of the University of Virginia.

In a statement, Dr. Sullivan said, “It’s been a great honor to serve as president of the University of Virginia. Although the board and I have a philosophical difference of opinion, I will always treasure having had the opportunity to work with so many gifted faculty and staff, talented students and loyal alumni.”

The university hinted on why the change was made by stating, “For the past year, the board has had ongoing discussions about the importance of developing, articulating and acting on a clear and concrete strategic vision. We believe that the University needs to remain at the forefront of change.”

Before coming to the University of Virginia in 2010, Dr. Sullivan was provost and executive vice president for academic affairs and professor of sociology at the University of Michigan. From 2006 to 2010, she was executive vice chancellor for academic affairs for the University of Texas System.

Dr. Sullivan is a graduate of Michigan State University. She holds a Ph.D. in sociology from the University of Chicago.

Update: On June 26, the university’s board of visitors voted unanimously to reinstate Dr. Sullivan as president of the university