Jeffrey Legro to step down as executive vice president, provost at end of academic year

Executive Vice President and Provost Jeffrey Legro is stepping down from his administrative role at the end of the academic year after joining the University of Richmond in 2017.

“At heart, Jeff remains a dedicated teacher and accomplished scholar,” UR President Kevin Hallock wrote in an announcement to the campus community, “and I fully understand his desire to return to the role of faculty member and am glad he will do so at Richmond.”

Legro will stay at UR as a professor of political science after the summer, Hallock said in the Sept. 1 announcement. A replacement has not been found, but Hallock said he would organize a search committee to begin the national search for UR’s next provost. 

“The university is on a great trajectory, and I miss teaching and writing,” Legro wrote in a Sept. 1 email to The Collegian. “ I am looking forward to spending time in the classroom and working with students.”

Before coming to UR in 2017, Legro worked at the University of Virginia as vice provost for global affairs. Throughout his tenure at UR, Legro has been involved in the development of Africana studies and health studies programs. 

Senior Shira Greer was one of the students who helped launch the Africana studies program. She said while Legro’s initial response was not as receptive as she would have liked, she was glad he supported the students. 

“I’ve been happy to see that he has supported the program that, you know, it is in existence now, and that he was a part of that,” Greer said. “So, I hope that the incoming provost, whoever that is, is also a strong supporter of Africana studies.” 

During the trajectory of the COVID-19 pandemic, Legro has helped manage UR’s response and planning efforts, often being one of the administrators communicating with the campus community. 

UR plans to have a formal opportunity to thank Legro for his contributions in the spring.  

Contact editor-in-chief Jackie Llanos at jackie.llanoshernandez@richmond.edu and city and state editor Eileen Pomeroy at eileen.pomeroy@richmond.edu.