ODU Board of Visitors extends Hemphill’s contract to 2032

Three months after Old Dominion University‘s Faculty Senate cast a vote of no confidence in President Brian O. Hemphill, the Board of Visitors on Monday reaffirmed its support for the university leader, extending his contract through 2032.

The board cited “unwavering confidence” in Hemphill and pointed to a series of milestones under his leadership, with the “defining achievement” being the 2024 integration of Eastern Virginia Medical School into the university.

In March, a majority of Old Dominion University’s Faculty Senate issued a vote of no confidence in Hemphill, Provost Brian Payne and Vice President for Digital Transformation and Technology Nina Rodriguez Gonser over the university’s Forward-Focused Digital Transformation initiative. The plan calls for many online courses to move from 16-week semesters to accelerated eight-week formats beginning in the upcoming academic year. Faculty leaders argued the administration dismissed concerns about the initiative and failed to adhere to shared governance processes in implementing the changes.

The faculty also alleged “inconsistent, sometimes confusing and contradictory” communication from the university’s administration.

“It is deeply regrettable that our shared governance processes have deteriorated to the point where a resolution of no confidence became necessary,” Faculty Senate Chair Corrin Allen, an associate professor of speech-language pathology, said in March.

However, the board has defended the initiative as a necessary modernization effort, describing it as a strategy to reimagine how a public university teaches, conducts research and serves students in an increasingly digital world. The transformation effort includes a partnership with Google and the creation of MonarchSphere, an artificial intelligence incubator.

Board leaders also credited Hemphill with overseeing record growth in fundraising and research activity, with annual philanthropic support reaching a record $106.3 million in fiscal 2025, and with advancing major campus construction projects, including the $184 million Biological Sciences Building and the approximately $250 million Engineering and Arts Building.

“The board’s decision reflects a simple reality: Old Dominion University is stronger today than at any point in its history,” Board of Visitors Rector P. Murry Pitts said in a statement. “In just five years, President Hemphill has led transformative achievements that many institutions spend decades trying to accomplish.”

Hemphill’s tenure began in 2021. Since then, the university has received R1 research classification and launched a $500 million capital campaign. In a statement, Hemphill described serving as president as “the honor of my professional career.”

“I am deeply grateful to the Board of Visitors for their confidence and partnership, as well as their courage and pride, as we continue building an even brighter future for the Monarch Nation,” he said.

The terms of the contract, including financials, were not provided.

Representatives for the university, the Board of Visitors and the ODU Faculty Senate did not immediately return requests for comment.