Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger acted immediately after inauguration, appointing new board members at multiple state universities and signaling a rapid reset of higher-education governance. The governor replaced key trustees hours after taking office, targeting leaders who had been embroiled in months of campus controversies and political fights. University of Virginia trustees were specifically asked to resign amid the transition, amplifying pressure on campus leaders and raising questions about governance independence and oversight. Campus stakeholders and trustees now face a compressed timeline to restore continuity as new appointees settle in.