Dr. Troy D. Paino, President
Mary Washington’s Number One Eagle
Dr. Troy D. Paino has led the University of Mary Washington for nearly a decade as the 10th president. He’s known by students for welcoming them to campus during move-in and into his home for evening dinners, and he champions Mary Washington’s public liberal arts and sciences mission of providing academic excellence and meaningful experiences. He’s deeply committed to student success and educational distinction, a supporter of faculty and staff, and a steward of community connections.
His strategic priorities at Mary Washington include:
- enhancing and adapting Mary Washington’s liberal arts mission,
- energizing campus life and school pride,
- modernizing infrastructure while preserving the University’s historic beauty,
- and meeting the region and the Commonwealth’s future workforce needs.
Since taking the helm in 2016, Dr. Paino has led UMW through a period of dynamic transformation. He has overseen a revitalization of the Fredericksburg campus—modernizing residence halls, enhancing accessibility, and integrating new technologies to enrich the student experience. His leadership has driven the launch of academic programs aligned with workforce needs and fostered regional partnerships that support economic development. He has prioritized student and staff well-being, through the pandemic and beyond it. UMW has deepened its community ties through expanded internships, service projects, and welcoming campus events, cultivating a vibrant environment that fuels student success and institutional pride. He delivers on all of these initiatives while also overseeing a number of capital projects and putting the University on firmer financial footing, including several record-breaking years of fundraising.
Throughout this period, UMW has increased its retention rate and recruited a talented student body while simultaneously increasing the school’s academic profile. The University is recognized among The Princeton Review’s Best 390 Colleges, and most recently named a best value with students praising their academic experiences and the vibrant Fredericksburg community. The Princeton Review ranks UMW in the top 20 nationally for internships and making an impact. U.S. News & World Report recognizes UMW in the top 10 public liberal arts and sciences colleges nationally, with UMW advancing to No. 8 in 2025. The Fiske Guide to Colleges continues to list UMW among the “best and most interesting” institutions in the country. And most recently, UMW’s business program has been named in Poets & Quants Best Undergraduate Business Schools of 2025, recognizing admission standards, academic experience, and career outcomes. The Master of Business Administration earned a spot as just one of 33 programs nationwide in the “Best MBA Programs for your Money” in Money’s annual accolades.
For nearly two decades, the University of Mary Washington has been named among the top 10 volunteer-producing schools for graduates pursuing the Peace Corps and in 2020, the University of Mary Washington was named one of the top producers of Student Fulbright Awards. UMW students and graduates regularly earn honors internationally as Fulbright and Goldwater Scholars, and have been named the Honors Student of the Year across two states.
Dr. Paino’s student-centered approach has been recognized nationally, with NASPA-Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education selecting him to receive the 2023 President’s Award, following honors recognition for the Region III President’s Award in 2022. Both awards recognize a college or university president or chancellor who has, over a sustained period, advanced the quality of student life on campus by supporting the institution’s student affairs staff and initiatives. It is the highest honor NASPA bestows on a college or university president or chancellor. In the Commonwealth, Dr. Paino receives annual accolades on the Virginia Business Power 500 Power List, and, in 2024 and 2025, he was listed among the “50 most influential people in Northern Virginia” by Northern Virginia Magazine. In 2025, he became a Virginia Business Icon – a recognition of lifetime achievements.
Dr. Paino has made a commitment to expand UMW’s academic offerings to the community by increasing the number of credit and non-credit courses offered, including new certifications and other professional development opportunities that will impact the region and support economic growth. He encourages the development of academic programs in high-demand areas particularly through the intersection with technology, with the rapid growth of the Communication and Digital Studies, Computer Science, and Cybersecurity programs. Recent additions have included Entrepreneurship and Data Science, as well as the launch of the Center for AI and the Liberal Arts. Students have access to microcredentials and micro-internships, as well as a growing network of more than 45,000 alumni. Within six months of graduation, around 90% of graduates are employed, in grad school, or pursuing public service, and that success continues to grow throughout their lifetimes.
He has overseen the renovation of Mary Washington’s historic and beloved amphitheater, a major expansion to the Jepson Science Center, a renovation of Seacobeck Hall which now serves as the home of the Office of Disability Resources and the College of Education, and the renovation of Virginia and Willard residence halls. Plans are underway for a new theatre, as well as renovations of music and studio art spaces in Melchers, duPont and Pollard Halls. In many ways, Dr. Paino has set the stage for future success, for the campus and its graduates.
Dr. Paino earned doctorate and master’s degrees in American Studies from Michigan State University. He holds a law degree from Indiana University and a bachelor’s degree in history and philosophy from Evangel College. He took office as the President of Mary Washington on July 1, 2016, and resides in historic Brompton with his wife, Kelly. They have two daughters, Sophia and Chloe.
His teaching and scholarly interests include American higher education, 20th-century cultural and social history, and American legal history. He has written extensively on the history of American sports and published his book, The Social History of the United States: 1960s, in 2008.
As an active member of the Council of Presidents, and serving as chair in 2025-26, he has worked closely with state officials and fellow university leaders to advocate for the value of public higher education. In this role, Dr. Paino has led collaborative efforts among Virginia’s public institutions to address shared challenges—from enrollment and funding to workforce alignment and civic engagement. His leadership has been marked by a commitment to transparency, consensus-building, and a deep belief in the public mission of higher education.
Dr. Paino is a member of the Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) President’s Trust and Citizens & Scholars’ College Presidents for Civic Preparedness. He also serves on the Northern Virginia Technology Council Board, the board of the Virginia Business Higher Education Council, and the Virginia Advisory Committee of the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition. He is past president of the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges (COPLAC) and a past member of the NCAA Division III President’s Council.
He previously served as president for Truman State University in Kirksville, Missouri where he also served as vice president for academic affairs. He taught history and was dean of Winona State University’s College of Liberal Arts.
With a distinguished career in higher education and a decade of leadership in Virginia, Dr. Paino has consistently advanced the mission of the University of Mary Washington through academic innovation, principled leadership, and a deep commitment to public service. His impact is one of empowerment—of students, colleagues, and communities—and his work continues to shape the future of Virginia’s educational and civic landscape.