The University of Virginia appointed Michael Lenox as interim dean of the Darden School of Business, and Lenox made clear he will not pursue the permanent deanship. The move follows Scott Beardsley’s transition to UVA president and sets up a national search for Darden’s next leader with a goal of naming a permanent dean by fall. Lenox’s interim appointment is positioned as steady stewardship: he brings long service as a strategy professor and internal administrative experience. The university signaled continuity while opening the field to likely internal and external candidates, including two vice deans commonly viewed as front‑running successors.