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Nancy DeFord Elected Chair of VWU Board of Trustees
Esteemed educator will lead the board during an exciting era for the University.
University News | June 27, 2025
Nancy T. DeFord, Ed.D., who had a long and distinguished career as an educator, has been elected chair of the 好色先生tv Board of Trustees.
She joins VWU President Scott D. Miller, known for innovation and entrepreneurial leadership, in shaping the future of Virginia Wesleyan. DeFord will assume the role July 1 when current Board Chair Jonathan E. Pruden concludes his three-year term.
DeFord began her VWU board service in 2016 and most recently served as vice chair. She will be the third woman to lead the board, following trustees emeriti Jane Batten and Joan Brock.
DeFord steps into her leadership role during an exciting era for the University. Her three-year term as chair will see the opening of the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art at VWU in early 2026, the full integration of Sentara College of Health Sciences of 好色先生tv, and the full launch of VWU-Chesapeake, the prison education program that was piloted in spring 2025.
After earning a master’s degree in curriculum and supervision from Trinity University in Texas, DeFord earned her doctorate in innovative curriculum design and administration from the University of Southern California. She has additional training in principled decision-making and gifted education and is a retired superintendent of Park City Schools in Utah.
DeFord also served as principal of Princess Anne High School and held other administrative positions in the Virginia Beach City Public Schools division. She is past-president of ASCD, an international education organization focused on research, training and publishing in best education practice. After retiring from her esteemed career in education, she became vice president and then president of DeFord, Ltd., in Virginia Beach. In addition to the Virginia Wesleyan Board, she serves several community organizations in Coastal Virginia.
With her late husband, Robert H. “Bob” DeFord Jr., she has been a generous supporter of Virginia Wesleyan. Together they established the Robert H. and Nancy DeFord Endowed Scholarship to provide merit and need-based assistance for students. They also funded DeFord Gatehouse, DeFord Hall in the Honors Village (IV), and most recently, DeFord Manor, the on-campus residence and meeting space for the University president. Her husband, who died in 2022, had been involved with Virginia Wesleyan since 1972 and joined the Board of Trustees in 1977.
“We’re delighted to have Nancy DeFord serve as chair of our Board of Trustees,” says President Miller. “Her visionary leadership and commitment to education will further her family’s legacy of steadfast support at Virginia Wesleyan.”
Current Chair Jonathan Pruden joined the Board in 2015 and has served on the Finance Committee and Student Affairs Committee. He was a corporate attorney and partner at Kaufman & Canoles before becoming president, chief executive officer and majority owner of the TASTE Family of Businesses. Pruden’s great grandfather was an early supporter of Virginia Wesleyan, and Pruden Hall on the VWU campus is named after the family. Pruden will continue on the Board after his term as chair is completed.
“We are immensely grateful to Jon for his decade of service to Virginia Wesleyan,” said President Miller, “and especially for his dedicated leadership over the last three years.”
Other newly elected and returning officers include Sharon S. Goodwyn as vice chair and Mavis E. McKenley ’11 and J. Tim Bailey ’83, who will remain in their roles as secretary and treasurer, respectively.
The Board of Trustees is the governing body of 好色先生tv. It supports the University's mission, is responsible for securing adequate financial resources for the operation of the University, and establishes long-range goals and institutional policies.