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Board of Visitors

The Board of Visitors comprises 14 voting members appointed by the governor to four-year terms and confirmed by the General Assembly. It is the governing body of Christopher Newport, and controls funds, real estate and property, makes rules and regulations, appoints the president and all members of the faculty, and other personnel as required.

If you wish to communicate with the Board of Visitors, please email Chief Communications Officer Jim Hanchett at jim.hanchett@cnu.edu.

Agendas and Board Documents

Members

Position Name Governor Appointment Bio
Rector The Honorable Ronald L. Tillett Appointed by Governor Glenn Youngkin to an unexpired term, beginning on July 1, 2022

Reappointed by Governor Abigail Spanberger effective July 1, 2026
Vice Rector Keith Windle '02 Appointed by Governor Glenn Youngkin effective July 1, 2024
Secretary Jennifer Dunn '95 Appointed by Governor Glenn Youngkin effective July 1, 2024
Member Brentley K. Archer Appointed by Governor Glenn Youngkin effective July 1, 2023
Member LTC (R) Kevin J. Callanan '78 MA, CFRE Appointed by Governor Glenn Youngkin effective July 1, 2024
Member Ann Cherry Appointed by Governor Abigail Spanberger effective July 1, 2026
Member William A. Estrada, Esq. Appointed by Governor Glenn Youngkin effective July 1, 2023
Member Daniel M. Gade, PhD Appointed by Governor Glenn Youngkin to an unexpired term, beginning on July 1, 2021

Reappointed by Governor Glenn Youngkin effective July 1, 2025
Member Cristin Grigos '04 Appointed by Governor Abigail Spanberger effective July 1, 2026
Member Karen Jackson '87 Appointed by Governor Abigail Spanberger effective July 1, 2026
Member Christy T. Morton '01 Appointed by Governor Ralph Northam effective November 22, 2019

Reappointed by Governor Glenn Youngkin effective July 1, 2023
Member Mike Mullin '04 Appointed by Governor Abigail Spanberger effective July 1, 2026
Member Shannon Pierce Appointed by Governor Glenn Youngkin effective July 1, 2025
Member COL (R) Bryan Stephens Appointed by Governor Glenn Youngkin effective July 1, 2025
Instructional Faculty Advisory Representative Brian Puaca Department of History  
Student Advisory Representative Leah Mathew Student Government Association President  
Clerk of the Board of Visitors Kenneth C. Kidd '18 Deputy Chief of Staff
Administrative Support to the Board of Visitors Donna Swiney Executive Administrative Assistant

BOV Meetings 2026-27

Full agenda will be available in Agendas and Board Documents.

Full agenda will be available in Agendas and Board Documents.

Full agenda will be available in Agendas and Board Documents.

Full agenda will be available in Agendas and Board Documents.

Full agenda will be available in Agendas and Board Documents. 

Meeting Schedule

BOV Meetings 2025-26

Full agenda will be available in Agendas and Board Documents.

Draft Meeting Minutes

  • Thursday, September 18
    • Welcome Breakfast for New Members
      • 9:15-10:15 a.m., Christopher Newport Hall, Brauer Room
    • Orientation for New Members
      • 10:30-11:30 a.m., Freeman Center 201
    • Executive Committee
      • 11:15 a.m.-noon, Freeman Center, Room 202
    • Board of Visitors Welcome Lunch
      • 12:15-1 p.m., Freeman Center, Room 101
    • Advancement Committee
      • 1:15-2 p.m., Freeman Center, Room 201
    • Athletics Committee
      • 1:15-2 p.m., Freeman Center Room 202
    • Academic Affairs Committee
      • 2:15-3:15 p.m., Freeman Center Room 201
    • Student Life Committee
      • 2:15-3:15 p.m., Freeman Center 202
    • Board of Visitors Faculty Social
      • 3:30 p.m., The Gregory P. Klich Alumni House
        • no official business to be conducted
    • Board of Visitors Dinner
      • 5:30 p.m. Off Campus
        • no official business to be conducted
  • Friday, September 19
    • Board of Visitors Breakfast
      • 8:30 a.m., Freeman Center, Second Floor Lobby
    • Finance and Facilities Committee
      • 9-10:15 a.m., Freeman Center, Room 201
    • Regular Meeting of the Full Board of Visitors

Full agenda will be available in Agendas and Board Documents.

  • Regular Meeting of the Full Board of Visitors

Full agenda will be available in Agendas and Board Documents.

  • Thursday, April 23
    • Operations, Audit, and Risk Committee
      • 11-11:45 a.m., Freeman Center, Room 201
    • Board of Visitors Welcome Lunch
      • 1-1:55 p.m., Freeman Center, Room 101
    • Advancement Committee
      • 2-2:55 p.m., Freeman Center, Room 201
    • Athletics Committee
      • 2-2:55 p.m., Freeman Center Room 202
    • Academic Affairs Committee
      • 3-4:15 p.m., Freeman Center Room 201
    • Student Life Committee
      • 3-4:15 p.m., Freeman Center 202
    • Board of Visitors Faculty Social
      • 4:30 p.m., The Gregory P. Klich Alumni House
        • no official business to be conducted
    • Board of Visitors Dinner
      • 6:30 p.m. Off Campus
        • no official business to be conducted
  • Friday, April 24
    • Board of Visitors Breakfast
      • 8 a.m., Freeman Center, Second Floor Lobby
    • Executive Committee
      • 8:15-9:15 a.m., Freeman Center, Room 201
    • Finance and Facilities Committee
      • 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Freeman Center, Room 202
    • Regular Meeting of the Full Board of Visitors

Full agenda will be available in Agendas and Board Documents.

Draft Meeting Minutes

  • Thursday, June 11
    • Operations, Audit and Risk Committee
      • 1230–115 p.m., Freeman Center, Room 201
    • Executive Committee
      • 120– 200 p.m., Freeman Center, Room 201
    • Full Board Meeting
      • 2–5 p.m., Freeman Center, Room 201
    • Board of Visitors Dinner
      • 6 p.m. – University President's House
        • No official business to be conducted
  • Friday, September 19
    • Board of Visitors Breakfast
      • 8:30 a.m. - Freeman Center, Second Floor Lobby
    • Finance and Facilities Committee
      • 9–9:50 a.m., Freeman Center, Room 202
    • Regular Meeting of the Full Board of Visitors

Institutional Reports

Bylaws of the Board of Visitors Code of Ethics of the Board of Visitors
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