Update to the VT Community - 8/20/26
Update from Presidential Search Committee Chair Nancy Dye
August 20, 2026
Virginia Tech’s presidential search continues to advance as the university seeks a visionary leader to guide one of the nation’s premier public research universities through its next chapter of growth and impact.
The search committee, working with executive search firm Isaacson, Miller, is conducting a comprehensive national search designed to identify candidates capable of building on Virginia Tech’s remarkable momentum and leading the institution toward even greater distinction.
When the Virginia Tech Board launched this presidential search, it committed to an extensive and inclusive process designed to gather perspectives from across the university community. Over 40 listening sessions have been conducted with faculty, staff, students, alumni, and other stakeholders, with more scheduled in advance of candidate interviews. Several were held immediately upon the search commencing to capture important input before key constituents left campus for the summer.
In addition, a broad-based survey has already generated feedback from more than 3,600 respondents, providing valuable insight into the qualities, priorities, and aspirations the community seeks in its next president. Please complete the survey soon if you have not already done so; the search committee wants to hear from you.
This represents an extraordinary level of engagement and outreach.
These efforts directly informed the development of the leadership profile and will continue to guide the search committee and Board of Visitors in their evaluation of candidates. They helped ensure that the search is grounded in a clear understanding of Virginia Tech’s strengths, opportunities, and future ambitions. The feedback will also be shared with the next President to inform their understanding of Virginia Tech.
The result is that a remarkably strong and highly qualified candidate pool is developing that reflects the national prominence and appeal of Virginia Tech.
Throughout the process, the Search Committee and Isaacson, Miller have worked diligently, maintaining a deliberate pace that allows for thorough evaluation and thoughtful decision-making.
The search is comprehensive and rigorous.
It is guided by principles of absolute fairness, integrity, and transparency–ensuring that every candidate is given careful consideration as the committee identifies the individual best positioned to lead Virginia Tech into its next chapter.
Representatives of the Undergraduate Student, Graduate and Professional Student, Faculty, and the Administrative and Professional Faculty Senates as well as the Alumni Board have been involved throughout the entire process with access to all materials. They have represented their constituencies well–expressing opinions, suggesting interview questions etc. In addition, they are fully participating in identifying the candidates to advance for interviews.
The five-member interview subcommittee includes the Faculty Senate President and a past member of the Alumni Board, who now serves on the Board of Visitors.
Most importantly, when the time comes, the entire search committee (including all of the above) will have the opportunity to meet and interact with the finalists in person. They will then provide input to the Board of Visitors, who are all participating as members of the committee, on which candidate(s) they recommend.
The search comes at a transformative moment for the university. We recognize the need to move expeditiously as the environment for high-quality candidates is a very competitive one, and we cannot allow momentum to lapse.
According to the presidential profile developed through the search process, the university seeks a leader who will prioritize Virginia Tech’s commitment to providing an affordable and accessible education and can advance Virginia Tech’s research enterprise, strengthen its statewide and national impact, expand its growing health sciences and medical research initiatives, navigate the evolving landscape of Division I athletics, and sustain the university’s strong financial position through strategic stewardship and philanthropy. The next president will also be expected to champion Virginia Tech’s land-grant mission of service embodied in its motto, Ut Prosim ("That I May Serve"), while enhancing opportunities for students, faculty, and communities across the Commonwealth.
Virginia Tech’s search committee has emphasized the importance of identifying a candidate with the experience, vision, and credibility to lead a complex, multi-campus institution with high aspirations. Desired qualities include demonstrated success in strategic leadership, research growth, fundraising, shared governance, public engagement, and the ability to build productive relationships with students, faculty, alumni, policymakers, and external partners. Distinguished academic credentials and a deep understanding of public research universities are also considered essential.
As with most searches for presidents of major research universities, confidentiality remains a critical component of the process. Potential candidates serve in prominent leadership positions at universities, research institutions, government agencies, or other organizations and will only participate in the search with the expectation that their identities remain private throughout the search. National search firms and governing boards routinely rely on this approach to ensure access to the strongest possible pool of candidates, a practice highlighted in similar presidential searches conducted at leading institutions across the country.
As we work together, our goal is to advance Virginia Tech’s ambitious vision: strengthening its position among the world's leading public research universities, expanding its impact throughout Virginia and beyond, and preparing students and communities to meet the opportunities and challenges of the future.
Nancy Dye
Vice Rector and Chair of the Presidential Search Committee