Tiffany Birdsong

The scheduled meetings for January 27-28, 2026, included a Rector's Reception and a Board Dinner on January 27, both of which were subsequently canceled. The January 28 schedule involved a breakfast, a session for the Finance, Audit and Compliance Committee, and the Full Board Meeting. Due to the Governor's declared State of Emergency, the Finance Committee and Board meetings on January 28 were moved to an electronic format.

The Executive Committee meeting included the confirmation of a quorum and the call to order by the Rector. The main discussion point involved the President's Report, during which President Debbie Sydow reviewed the meeting materials for the upcoming January 28, 2026 Board meeting, which included ten resolutions scheduled for a vote.

The Executive Committee of the Board of Visitors met virtually to discuss strategic opportunities for collaboration, mergers, or partnerships with other Virginia institutions of higher learning. The discussion and review of personnel matters, acquisition or disposition of real property, negotiations involving prospective business or industries, and investment of public funds were conducted during a closed session. Following the closed session, the committee certified that only lawfully exempt matters were discussed before adjourning the meeting.

The special board meeting focused on discussing the process and timeline for hiring an Interim President. The Board received a presentation from Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES) detailing the search process, including application deadlines and interview schedules leading up to the final Board vote in January 2026, with the Interim President starting July 1, 2026. Board members discussed key desired qualities for the Interim President, emphasizing the need for political acumen, experience with the Virginia legislature, and strong collaboration skills with faculty and staff.

The board meeting's thematic focus was on college assets, covering oversight and stewardship of fiscal, financial, technology, human, and physical assets. Key areas discussed included grants assets (highlighting initiatives like the RBC "Health Zone" and Workforce and Career Readiness Center), technology assets (focusing on the Technology Strategic Plan, data security, and AI integration), and physical assets (overview of the 800-acre campus and proposed capital projects in the 2026-32 Capital Outlay Plan). A working lunch session focused on higher education consolidation trends and strategic partnerships. Academic assets, including degree programs and future certificate offerings, were reviewed, along with student success initiatives such as the Guided Pathways to Success (GPS) program. Action items included the approval of resolutions concerning instructional and professional faculty appointments/promotions, the 2026-2032 Capital Outlay Plan, and the College Workforce Planning and Development Report. The Board later moved to a closed session to discuss the selection of a presidential search firm and authorized the selection, appointing an Ad Hoc Presidential Search Committee.