Several state flagships and regional universities announced presidential hires in a wave of leadership turnover this week. The University of Virginia selected Scott C. Beardsley, the Darden School dean; the University of Michigan named Kent Syverud to lead its campus; the University of West Florida tapped Manny Diaz Jr.; and Western New England University picked Joseph Hartman as president. Boards cited the need for leaders who can navigate political pressure, enrollment headwinds and financial challenges. New presidents will inherit governance changes, state oversight issues and expectations for reshaping academic priorities amid a turbulent policy environment.