In a special meeting Friday, the University of Virginia Board of Visitors unanimously elected Carlos M. Brown and Victoria D. Harker to assume the positions of rector and vice rector, respectively, effective immediately.
The pair will serve as rector and vice rector for the remainder of the terms vacated by former rector and vice rector Rachel W. Sheridan and Porter N. Wilkinson, which were slated to end June 30, 2027.
“I am grateful to all of our board members for their service to the University,” President Scott C. Beardsley said. “I look forward to working with Carlos Brown, Victoria Harker and the entire board to advance the best interests of the University we all love.”
Brown, of Glen Allen, previously served on 鶹ƽ Board of Visitors from 2021-25 upon appointment by former Gov. Ralph Northam. He also served as vice rector beginning in 2023. He was reappointed to the board by Gov. Abigail Spanberger in January. He currently serves as executive vice president, chief administrative and projects officer and corporate secretary of Dominion Energy, and president of Dominion Energy Services Inc.
Brown and Harker will serve as rector and vice rector. (Contributed photos)
Brown also chairs the board of trustees at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture, and serves on the boards of LCLD, a national legal leadership and talent development organization, and Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company. Until 2018, he chaired the Dominion Energy African American Resource Group, following shortly thereafter as its executive sponsor from 2021-23.
Brown received his bachelor’s and law degrees from UVA, where he held Echols, Achievement, Underwood and Hardy Cross Dillard scholarships. While an undergraduate, he served as president of the student body and was initiated into the IMP, Thirteen and Raven societies. In Law School, he served as president of the Black Law Students Association.
“I am humbled and honored to have the opportunity to serve the University and the commonwealth as rector of the Board of Visitors,” Brown said. “I love this institution and I know firsthand the incredible impact UVA has on the lives of the people who live, learn and work here. I am eager to get to work alongside my fellow board members and looking forward to what we can achieve together.”
Harker, of McLean, also previously served on the UVA Board of Visitors from 2012-16 after being appointed by former Gov. Robert McDonnell. She was appointed to the board again by Spanberger in January. She previously served as the executive vice president and chief financial officer of TEGNA Inc., formerly Gannett Co. Inc., a $10 billion global media and digital communications company, until 2024.
She has served on the University’s Health System Board since 2012, as both a Board of Visitors representative and more recently as a twice-appointed public member. In 2019, former Gov. Ralph Northam appointed her to the board of the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, where she served as vice chair.
Harker also serves as the outgoing chair of the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy Foundation board, treasurer of Rare Book School and chair emeritus of the UVA Alumni Association Board of Managers.
Harker holds a bachelor’s degree from 鶹ƽ College of Arts & Sciences and a Master of Business Administration degree from American University.
“It is an honor to be selected to serve as the vice rector of the Board of Visitors,” Harker said. “I am grateful to my colleagues for the trust they have placed in me, and I look forward to working alongside Rector Brown and the entire board to support this great institution and advance its important education, research and health care mission.”
The board also voted to hold a one-day meeting on March 5. An additional full meeting will be scheduled in April.
