CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – Former University of Virginia Rector Robert Hardie has been appointed to the Virginia Commission on Higher Education by Gov. Abigail Spanberger, the governor’s office announced Tuesday.

Hardie, who holds an undergraduate degree, Master’s and a Ph.D. from UVA, served as the Board of Visitors Rector from 2023-2025. He is the co-chairman and CEO of H7 Holdings and Level One Partners, a pair of private investment firms.

Hardie was one of six new members of the commission Gov. Spanberger announced, along with five appointees to the Virginia Parole Board, and two to the Virginia Racing Commission.

“Whether it is making timely, fair parole decisions, recommending quality board members, or providing appropriate oversight to Virginia’s horse racing industry — the Virginians appointed today bring much needed skills, expertise, and passion to these roles,” Gov. Spanberger said in a statement. “I know these Virginians will serve our neighbors with integrity, and I look forward to their service.”

Hardie isn’t the only one of the new appointees with ties to UVA.

Suffolk’s Valerie Boykin and Richmond’s Shannon Dion, who were named to the parole board, are both Virginia graduates and Dion teaches at the school.