University of Virginia appoints interim president after former president's resignation

The University of Virginia announced that it has appointed a new interim president after the former president resigned over pressure from the Justice Department, amid its probe into the institution's diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.

Law professor Paul Mahoney, who served as UVA's law school dean from 2008-2016, was selected to serve as the interim president starting next week, the university announced Monday. Mahoney has been a law school faculty member since 1990.

The rector of UVA's Board of Visitors, Rachel Sheridan, said regarding Mahoney's appointment, "We are confident that Paul’s longstanding connection to the University as a faculty member and dean of the Law School, as well as his extensive achievements as a lawyer, professor and public servant, make him the right leader to guide this institution as the search for a 10th UVA president gets underway."

Mahoney said in a statement, “I am honored and humbled to serve as the interim president of the University of Virginia and to support the extraordinary students, faculty, staff, alumni and parents who make this institution great.

“I thank the board for the trust they have placed in me, and for arriving at this decision in a manner consistent with the University’s core values of shared governance, academic freedom and student self-governance. As a longtime member of this community, I care deeply about UVA’s education, research and patient-care mission and look forward to continuing that important work together.”

UVA's prior president, Jim Ryan, announced his resignation in June and left the university last month, VPM reported. The university is continuing to search for a permanent president.