William & Mary Rector John E. Littel has been selected by incoming Governor Glenn Youngkin to serve as Virginia’s next Secretary of Health and Human Resources. The appointment was announced this morning.
![](https://wmit-news-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/09154234/littel_set-6-720x377.jpg)
“The Commonwealth is fortunate to have Rector Littel’s humane, visionary, and expert leadership in such a crucial role,” said President Katherine A. Rowe. “At William & Mary we know what all Virginians will soon learn: what an extraordinary leader he is and how deeply he cares about the wellbeing of the communities he serves. We congratulate Governor-Elect Youngkin on an inspiring choice. In John Littel, the Youngkin Administration is gaining a brilliant and trusted thought partner.”
The rector of the university serves as chair of the Board of Visitors and its executive committee. Littel P ‘22 joined the board in 2012. Appointed by three governors from different political parties, he was first elected to lead the board in 2018. In 2020, he was reelected to a second two-year term as rector which will conclude June 30, 2022.