By the time Debi Jarvis came to William & Mary in 2012 as a part-time analyst in University Human Resources, she had already retired from another job she’d held for 30 years. She wasn’t looking for a second act, but her dedication and experience quietly opened the door to an unexpected and fulfilling new chapter.
When a vacancy in UHR’s top job occurred in June 2025, Jarvis was asked to take over as interim chief with just months to go before the rollout of Workday, a sweeping software platform that guides payroll, analytics, financial and workforce management across campus.
For the stewardship of that massive project and a litany of other meaningful contributions, the longtime HR leader is being recognized as the 2026 recipient of the Charles and Virginia Duke Award, one of the university’s highest honors for staff. Established in 1997, the award celebrates exemplary professional achievement and service to the campus community.
Jarvis will be formally honored at a reception on May 4 from 4 to 5:30 p.m. in the Great Hall of the Wren Building. She will also be recognized at the university’s Commencement ceremony on May 15. For colleagues, the award simply makes official what they have long known: Jarvis is the consummate team player.
A lifetime of service to employees
Jarvis worked in human resources at the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation for 30 years until she retired in November 2011. By July 2012, she was ready for a new challenge, joining William & Mary’s HR department on a part-time basis. Over the next decade, she served in every functional area of HR. Currently, she is the department’s employee relations manager.
When she was asked to step in as chief human resources officer, her colleagues say she contributed stability at a pivotal moment for the department.
“Debi provided the guidance and reassurance to the team that was critically needed,” said Anne Roemer, who took over the chief HR officer role in November. “She kept the trains running.”
The Workday implementation, widely viewed as one of the most complex administrative transitions in recent university history, required not only technical coordination but also cultural adaptation. Jarvis and her staff helped guide employees through the change, focusing on training and communication.
“It was a huge challenge that turned into a wonderful opportunity,” Jarvis said. “The biggest hurdle was helping people learn a new system and everything that comes with that.”
While the high-profile transition showcased her leadership, colleagues emphasized that Jarvis’ contributions extend beyond a single project. Over the years, she has played key roles in compensation equity, organizational restructuring, recruitment and policy development.
In nomination materials, HR leaders Grace VanDivender and Chas Ritinski described Jarvis as the person colleagues turn to when challenges arise — particularly in sensitive employee relations matters.
“She handles conversations many would approach hesitantly with clarity, empathy and confidence,” they wrote.
During her interim tenure, Jarvis rebuilt the HR team, filling key vacancies and recruiting staff who have strengthened the division’s expertise.
“Her effect was stabilizing and supportive at a time when the team was under immense pressure,” wrote Sarah Melchior Lorio, associate university counsel.
David Trichler, associate director at the Global Research Institute, said Jarvis’ leadership has had a lasting impact on both people and programs.
“I’ve seen how much her colleagues respect her and value her judgment,” he said, noting that some former employees have even expressed interest in returning to the university for the chance to work with her again.
Trichler added that Jarvis’ approach is deeply personal as well as strategic.
“Debi listens,” he said. “She works collaboratively to expand perspectives and find solutions that benefit the most people and are sustainable over time.”
Jarvis herself remains characteristically modest about the recognition. Despite the raft of nominations from colleagues, she said the award came as a total surprise. “I was flabbergasted when President (Katherine) Rowe called,” she said.
She is quick to deflect credit to her team, especially Joey Wermer, HR’s information technology specialist, describing major initiatives like Workday as collective efforts. But those who work alongside her say her leadership style — grounded in empathy, integrity and quiet determination — sets the tone.
“She leads with her heart,” Roemer said.
Susan Corbett, Communications Specialist