Youngkin to replace UVa Board of Visitors appointee Bert Ellis with Ken Cuccinelli

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Governor Youngkin fires appointee Bert Ellis from Board of Visitors

Several hours later, the Governor announced his intention to appoint Ken Cuccinelli as Ellis’s replacement


Youngkin announced plans to appoint Ken Cuccinelli, who served as deputy secretary of Homeland Security and director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services under President Trump’s first term, to the Board as Ellis’s replacement.

Photo by Masato Takedai | The Cavalier Daily
By Cecilia Mould
March 26, 2025

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin removed appointee Bert Ellis from the University’s Board of Visitors this afternoon, following a meeting the two had Tuesday. Youngkin announced plans to appoint Ken Cuccinelli, who served as deputy secretary of Homeland Security and director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services under President Trump’s first term, to the Board as Ellis’s replacement. … The news was first reported by The Washington Post.

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Cuccinelli, a University alumnus and former Virginia attorney general, will likely take Ellis’s seat on the Board, as announced by Youngkin later this evening. In a statement shared via Youngkin's announcement, Cuccinelli discussed his plans for the Board and University.

“I’m committed to aggressively advancing plans to restore a culture of merit and end all forms of discrimination,” Cuccinelli said. “I look forward to the important work of reducing administrative spending to keep the University affordable for students and parents and passionately defending free speech.”

The Governor’s office has not shared when Cuccinelli will be officially appointed. As a new appointee, Cuccinelli would need to be confirmed by the Virginia General Assembly.