The University of Virginia named longtime Darden strategy professor Michael Lenox as interim dean after Scott Beardsley became UVA president on Jan. 1. Provost Brie Gertler announced the appointment and explicitly noted Lenox does not want the permanent deanship, clearing the way for a global search with a planned announcement by fall. Lenox, at Darden since 2008, brings experience as senior associate dean and executive director of UVA’s Batten Institute. Vice deans Yael Grushka‑Cockayne and Melissa Thomas‑Hunt are mentioned as obvious internal contenders; both hold senior associate dean roles and strong teaching and administrative résumés. The timeline and transparent interim role aim to preserve continuity in academic programming while allowing trustees and a search committee to weigh internal and external candidates for Darden’s 10th dean.