Virginia Military Institute Board of Visitors President John Adams and Superintendent Ret. Maj. General Cedric Wins at a special meeting on Feb. 28, 2025. (Photo by Nathaniel Cline/Virginia Mercury)
In a stunning decision that has already sparked political backlash,the Virginia Military Institute’s Board of Visitors voted Friday morning against extending the contract of Ret. Maj. Gen. Cedric Wins, the school’s first Black superintendent.
After more than two hours behind closed doors, the board rejected Wins’ contract extension in a 6-10 vote. His tenure will officially end on June 30.
Board President John Adams, a Gov. Glenn Youngkin appointee, was among those who voted against keeping Wins at the helm. Sitting beside Wins during the meeting, Adams remained silent after the decision. According to a VMI spokesperson, he declined to comment.
The vote follows mounting political tensions over Wins’ future, with state lawmakers publicly clashing in recent days. House Speaker Don Scott, D-Portsmouth, sharply criticized the board’s decision.
“This decision by the VMI Board is not based on performance or character —i t is purely political,” said Scott, in a statement following the decision.
Wins set next to Adams during Friday’s meeting.
This is a breaking news story that will be updated once more information is available.
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