University of Mary Washington President Troy Paino wrote a column for The Virginian-Pilot titled, “Virginia leads the nation in pathways from learning to earning.” In the column Paino discusses Virginia’s position as the “Top State for Talent.” Read more.

Other media mentions for Paino include:

Virginia Business honors trailblazing leaders at inaugural ICON Awards luncheon (WTVR)
The red carpet was rolled out inside the historic Jefferson Hotel in downtown Richmond on Thursday as some of Virginia’s most influential business, education, and government leaders were honored at the inaugural ICON Honors Awards luncheon hosted by Virginia Business magazine. Icon 2025 honorees included Troy Paino, University of Mary Washington. Read more.

The 2025 Virginia Icon Honors Awards (Virginia Business)
Since 2016, Troy Paino has served as president of the University of Mary Washington, where he has overseen major construction projects and the growth of academic course offerings. Paino has also raised the university’s profile. This year, the school ranked No. 131 on U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 Best National Liberal Arts Colleges list. Mary Washington also made several 2026 Princeton Review lists, including Best Value Colleges. Additionally, under Paino’s tenure, the university in 2023 received a $30 million bequest from a 1959 alumna — the largest financial gift in its history. Read more.

President Troy D. Paino was listed as one of Northern Virginia’s 50 Most Influential People of 2025 by Northern Virginia Magazine. The list includes leaders in business and development, education, government, health care, philanthropy, and more that have made an impact in the last year on where Northern Virginians live and work, where they go for entertainment, and how they spend their time.

The editorial team evaluated criteria including achievements, cultural significance, peer recommendations and community involvement. Paino was named among other impactful leaders, including U.S. Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, Governor of Virginia Glenn Youngkin, George Mason University President Gregory Washington, Marymount President Irma Becerra, Philanthropists Dwight and Martha Shar, and even Washington Commanders Quarterback Jayden Daniels.

President Paino’s nearly decade-long tenure was noted, along with UMW’s increase in retention rates. The feature also noted UMW’s top 20 national ranking for internships and making an impact in The Princeton Review and its top 10 national ranking of public liberal arts and sciences colleges in U.S. News and World Report. Read the full article.

University of Mary Washington President Troy D. Paino has been named to the Virginia Business “Power 500” list for 2025–26, which recognizes the Commonwealth’s most influential leaders in business, government, politics and education. The annual list, now in its sixth year, highlights leaders across 21 industry categories. Paino is featured in the education section as one of 24 leaders that are recognized.

President Paino appeared on News Talk 1230 WFVA’s Town Talk to talk about the value of a liberal arts education, the benefits of a smaller student body and class sizes, and the challenges of AI. Listen to the episode.

The Northern Virginia Technology Council (NVTC), the trade association representing the region’s technology community, announced the appointment of 20 industry leaders to its Board of Directors for fiscal year 2025, including UMW President Troy Paino. The incoming Class of 2027 will join NVTC’s current Board and guide the council’s strategic efforts to fuel its mission. NVTC is committed to accelerating tech innovation and promoting a world-class workforce to create a thriving tech community in Northern Virginia. Read more.