Robyn S. Hadley joined the University of Virginia as Vice President and Chief Student Affairs Officer on June 1, 2021. A year later, in June 2022, Ms. Hadley’s title was updated to include Dean of Students, reflecting her expanded duties. She leads approximately 300 student affairs professionals supporting students across the University, from enrollment through graduation. Reporting to the President and to the Provost, she oversees a diverse portfolio, including Orientation and New Student Programs, Student Engagement, Student Safety and Support, Multicultural Student Services, Fraternity and Sorority Life, Housing & Residence Life, Student Health and Wellness, the UVA Career Center, the Office of African-American Affairs, and administration of the Rotunda. She and her staff also partner with student leaders involved in the Honor Committee, the University Judiciary Committee, Student Council, class and school councils, and hundreds of other student-led organizations. Equally important is the division’s collaborative work with the University’s 12 schools and academic partners across the Grounds. As part of supporting students, the division reaches out to parents through communication and special events such as Summer Orientation and Family Weekend.

Prior to UVA, Ms. Hadley served as Associate Vice Chancellor and Dean for Scholar Programs at Washington University in St. Louis. In addition to the Office of Scholar Programs, she oversaw disability resources, TRIO student support services, ROTC, Military and Veterans Services, and initiatives to support first-generation and low-income students.

Throughout her life, Ms. Hadley has worked with young people and families, helping them to understand and navigate secondary, postsecondary, and career opportunities. Ms. Hadley began her career in business, holding various positions in the JAMNC Export Import Management Group in Hampton, Virginia, where she eventually rose to President and Chief Operating Officer. From there she focused her career goals on education, initially volunteering her time, then creating a nonprofit to inspire and instruct students in navigating their way to college and scholarships. She proceeded to develop the “What’s After High School?” Program, a K-12 college access startup initiative for the Alamance-Burlington School System in North Carolina. The program was subsequently recognized by the National School Boards Association. A product herself of this mostly low-income, rural school system, Ms. Hadley sought to increase awareness of college and career options, focusing on enrollment, scholarship opportunities, and degree completion. A successful author and entrepreneur, her efforts were recognized by the White House and U.S. Department of Education as a “Champion of Change” in 2012.

A first-generation college student, Ms. Hadley attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as a Morehead Scholar. She played basketball for the Tar Heels for two years. Upon graduation with a degree in public policy analysis, she went on to study political science as a graduate student and Rhodes Scholar at Oxford University, where she also played basketball and was a “Full Blue.”

Ms. Hadley’s interests include staying in touch with her large extended family, traveling, listening to music, and reading.