On February 17, 2026, the Virginia Senate voted on party lines to remove over two-dozen Board appointees made by former Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin, including two members of the Longwood University Board of Visitors. Along with the appointees at Longwood, Senate Democrats voted to remove Board members at Richard Bland College, Virginia Commonwealth University, the College of William and Mary, among others.
Dr. Michael Poliakoff and Carman Faison, both appointed in August 2025, were removed from the Board as part of the move.
Poliakoff serves as president of the American Council of Trustees and Alumni (ACTA), a conservative non-profit organization which advocates for fiscal responsibility and academic quality in higher education. The organization also advocates against DEI programs and was on the Advisory Board for Project 2025. Faison, a 2004 Longwood alumna, is a former public accountant who co-owns a mattress company.
Before the vote, on the Senate floor, Chief Patron of the resolution and Democratic State Sen. Aaron Rouse of Virginia Beach said, “While we’re happy to confirm more than 98% of the former Governor’s appointments, unfortunately there were some that we were unable to confirm or reappoint.”
“We do our best to accommodate Governors, whether they’re incoming or outgoing, but nonetheless, we have a responsibility in this chamber to vet every single appointee and do our job. That’s what we have done,” Rouse continued.
This move represents another effort from Virginia Democrats to exert control over public institutions of higher education in the Commonwealth. On the first day of her administration, Gov. Abigail Spanberger appointed 27 members to university boards, immediately reshaping the political landscape of the state’s colleges and universities. Over the summer, prior to Spanberger’s election, Virginia Senate Democrats refused to confirm 22 of Youngkin’s appointments.
The Rotunda contacted University Spokesperson Matt McWilliams via email on Friday to request statements from Rector of the Longwood Board of Visitors Ronald White and University President W. Taylor Reveley IV.
Reveley, in a statement, said, “Board service, especially in this contested political climate nationally, is an act of tremendous citizen leadership, and we are deeply grateful to everyone who serves and has served. Our Board members love Longwood dearly and work hard on its behalf. The General Assembly is one of the world’s oldest legislative bodies, and every member of it is also to be commended in these days for their service to the Commonwealth as they deliberate over the common good, both regarding higher education and in general.”
McWilliams wrote he was not able to get a comment from White. The Rotunda will continue to report on this developing story.
