University of Virginia President Jim Ryan has stepped down amid intense pressure from the Trump administration’s Department of Justice (DOJ), marking a dramatic turn in the ongoing battle over diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs at the prestigious institution. His resignation, announced in a letter to the university’s Board of Visitors on June 26, 2025, came after DOJ officials accused Ryan of delaying the removal of DEI initiatives and misrepresenting the university’s efforts to dismantle them.
Ryan, who has served as UVa’s ninth president since 2018, initially planned to leave at the end of the next academic year. However, “given the circumstances and today’s conversations,” he decided “with deep sadness” to resign immediately, with his departure effective no later than August 15, 2025. The exact timing of his exit from the presidential residence at Carr’s Hill remains uncertain.
The New York Times revealed that at least two DOJ officials, both UVa alumni, had repeatedly pressured Ryan to step down. Following the report, UVa released a statement reaffirming its commitment to comply with federal laws and cooperate with ongoing DOJ inquiries, emphasizing that “the federal government's support of the University is essential to continue the core mission of research, education, and clinical care.”
Ryan has been a vocal supporter of DEI programs, which emerged nationwide amid a prolonged racial reckoning aiming to address systemic discrimination in academia. Yet, these initiatives have faced fierce opposition from conservatives, including former President Donald Trump, who deride DEI as a form of reverse discrimination that prioritizes minority status over merit.
Ryan’s resignation is seen as a victory for the conservative alumni group known as the Jefferson Council. This group led a campaign earlier this year to oust Ryan, arguing that his efforts to dismantle DEI were “superficial” and insufficient. In March 2025, UVa’s Board of Visitors voted to dissolve the university’s DEI office after the Trump administration threatened to withhold federal funding from schools maintaining such programs.
Despite the board’s decision, the DOJ sent a letter to UVa on April 28, 2025, citing complaints that the university had not fully complied with the directive to dismantle DEI. The department initially set a compliance deadline of May 2, later extending it to May 30. UVa spokesman Brian Coy assured in early May that the university would meet the extended deadline, though the DOJ’s ongoing pressure suggests dissatisfaction with the university’s response.
One of the groups lodging complaints against UVa is America First Legal, founded in 2021 by Stephen Miller, a former adviser to President Trump. The organization claims that UVa’s DEI programs violate federal civil rights laws by operating on the basis of race, sex, ethnicity, and national origin. In a May 21 letter to the DOJ, America First Legal accused the university of merely rebranding DEI initiatives rather than eliminating them. For instance, the UVa Equity Center, established in 2019 to improve relations with the surrounding Charlottesville community, was renamed the Center for Community Partnerships.
Ryan had praised the Equity Center at its inception, calling it “an important step” toward repairing the university’s relationship with local Black and low-income communities. However, critics argue that such rebranding efforts do not address the core concerns of the DOJ and conservative groups.
Transparency regarding DEI staffing and budgets at UVa remains limited. In a June 2023 Board of Visitors meeting, Ryan disclosed that the university employed 55 individuals dedicating at least 80% of their time to DEI initiatives, with a budget of $5.8 million primarily covering their salaries.
Amid the turmoil over DEI, UVa has also faced unrelated financial challenges. By May 2025, the university had lost $83 million in federal grant funding due to broader cost-cutting measures in Washington, underscoring the complex fiscal environment in which these cultural and political battles are unfolding.
The fallout from Ryan’s resignation has drawn sharp criticism from Virginia’s political leaders. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine, both Democrats, condemned the Trump administration’s DOJ for demanding Ryan’s removal, calling it “outrageous” and a “mistake that hurts Virginia’s future.” They emphasized that decisions about UVa’s leadership should rest solely with the Board of Visitors, in accordance with Virginia’s respected tradition of higher education governance.
“Virginia’s economy and prosperity depend on the strength and integrity of our higher education system,” the senators said in a joint statement. They described Ryan as “a strong leader who has served UVA honorably and moved the university forward,” lamenting that his forced resignation was the result of “ridiculous ‘culture war’ traps.”
This episode highlights the broader national conflict over DEI programs in higher education, where federal authorities under the Trump administration have aggressively targeted such initiatives. For the University of Virginia, a flagship public institution with a historic commitment to diversity and community engagement, the resignation of its president under federal pressure signals a significant shift.
As Ryan prepares to depart, questions remain about the future direction of UVa’s policies and leadership. The Board of Visitors has accepted his resignation, but the search for a successor who can navigate these politically charged waters will be closely watched by educators, students, alumni, and policymakers alike.
For now, the university stands at a crossroads, balancing federal demands, alumni pressures, and its mission to foster an inclusive academic environment. The full impact of this leadership change on UVa’s community and reputation will unfold in the months ahead.
