Moments after Seattle-based internet giant Amazon announced its long-awaited plans for developing a pair of additional corporate headquarters in the Crystal City area of Arlington, VA, and Long Island City, NY, UVA President Jim Ryan issued a statement regarding the company’s decision to expand in Northern Virginia.
“Amazon’s choice to invest in Virginia is a testament to everything the commonwealth has to offer, now and in the future. At UVA, our goal is to serve the commonwealth and beyond by providing education and training, offering outstanding medical care, growing the economy, conducting research, and cultivating a new generation of entrepreneurs,” Ryan said.
The ninth president of the University added that UVA has been growing its presence in the area over the last decade and has plans to increase its commitment to the region. Ryan discussed McIntire’s role in the rich programmatic development under way in Northern Virginia, noting that “the McIntire School of Commerce now offers a joint degree in business analytics with Darden and a degree in management of information technology on its own.”
Ryan also highlighted other University initiatives, including the Medical School’s partnerships with Inova, George Mason University, and the commonwealth to launch the Genomics and Bioinformatics Research Institute; the Darden School of Business’s new facilities in Rosslyn, VA; and the Curry School of Education’s multiple part-time degree programs for students in an area of the state home to more than 30,000 UVA alumni.
“We look forward to working with Amazon to see how we can best work together to create opportunities for their existing and potential employees in the Northern Virginia area,” Ryan said. “We also look forward to working with our colleagues at Virginia Tech and George Mason to continue to strengthen Virginia’s economy and create economic opportunity for all Virginians.”
