Richard Bland College establishes inaugural Board of Visitors, independent governance 

Wednesday, April 2, the Virginia General Assembly accepted Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s D.P.S. ’22 amendment to establish a nine-member board of visitors at Richard Bland College July 1, 2025. Till now, RBC operated under the College of William and Mary’s board of visitors.

RBC’s President Debbie Sydow described her excitement for the new board. 

“After years of planning and preparation, we stand ready to welcome this board with open arms,” Sydow said. “William & Mary (W&M) board leadership has been supportive every step of the way and I expect a smooth governance transition.”

Sydow also described the importance of this bill in supporting RBC’s independent governance. 

“Understanding the importance of RBC as an industry partner and economic engine in the Petersburg and Virginia Gateway region, bill patrons Senator Mamie Locke (D-District 23) and Delegate Betsy Carr (D-District 78) were fierce champions for independent governance, and RBC is deeply grateful for their leadership,” Sydow said. 

The College’s Rector, Charles E. Poston J.D. ’74, P ’02, ’06, also looks forward to the new board.  

“The William & Mary Board of Visitors has governed Richard Bland College since its founding,” Poston said. “This has been a privilege and together with former presidents of RBC and President Sydow, positive and transformational change has taken place. This has especially been the case at RBC over the last decade under the leadership of President Sydow. We look forward to working with RBC during the transition to a new board and we are highly confident that this progress will continue.”

In 2023, delegates attempted to send a similar bill granting RBC its own governing board to the Governor’s desk, but it did not pass through. Looking ahead to July, Youngkin will appoint members of the nine-member board, and RBC’s accreditor, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, will review this change.