Sands Institute for Lifelong Learning
Sands Institute for Lifelong Learning
The Institute transforms learning through business education innovation, unprecedented faculty support & development, and world-class educational facilities.
Brand New Insights for 2026: AI and Learning at Work
AI and major societal shifts are redefining the future of work—and HR and learning leaders are already leading the transformation. Pulling in research led by the University of Virginia Darden School of Business’ Sands Institute for Lifelong Learning, Learning Society and the Stanford Center on Longevity, this report distills insights gathered from 15 C‑suite executives across global organizations, revealing how companies are reinventing talent development to stay ahead. Download the full report to explore the strategies shaping tomorrow’s workforce.
Mission
Made possible by the largest gift in Darden history from Sands Capital Founder, the late Frank M. Sands Sr. (MBA ’63), The Sands Institute for Lifelong Learning supports learners globally by providing transformational learning experiences in business education at all stages of their career, through both degree and non-degree programs, in a variety of formats. We achieve this through three primary focal points: world-class learning environments, innovative programming, and recruitment and retention of top-ranked faculty.
The Future of Lifelong Learning at Work Summit 2025
The Future of Lifelong Learning at Work: How Partnerships Between Organizations and Higher Ed Create Opportunity for the Workforce was the Sands Institute's second annual summit, which brought together a diverse group of expert decision makers, thinkers and builders whose ideas and actions are transforming how we educate, train and grow talent in an evolving economy. Featuring panel discussions, industry speakers, case discussion and special events, this interactive summit explored how cross-sector partnerships can unlock opportunity and drive economic mobility.
Read more about the outcomes from the summit and check out a few photos from the October 2025 event below.
Thought Leadership and News
Faculty
Faculty support and development includes the establishment of new faculty chairs to bolster excellence and innovation in pedagogy and engagement with practice, including case writing and course and program development. A $35 million Sands Professorship Fund, comprised of a $21 million donation from Sands plus $14 million in matching funds from the UVA Bicentennial Professor Funds, will support 12 faculty chairs.
Distinguished professorship chairs honor Darden professors with a legacy of exceptional teaching and commitment to the School:
Melissa Thomas-Hunt
Senior Associate Dean for Professional Degree Programs & Special Advisor to the Dean on Connection, John D. Forbes Distinguished Professor of Business Administration, Professor of Public Policy at the Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy
George (Yiorgos) Allayannis
Robert F. Bruner Distinguished Professor of Business Administration
Robert L. Carraway
Yiorgos Allayannis Distinguished Associate Professor Emeritus of Business Administration
An additional eight emerging scholar chairs, called the Sands Professorships, will enable Darden to recruit and develop top faculty as the next generation of master teachers and scholars. In October 2020, the School announced the first faculty appointments to the Sands Professorships:
Toni Irving
Frank M. Sands Sr. Professor of Practice
Lynn A. Isabella
Frank M. Sands Sr. (M.B.A. ’63) Associate Professor Emerita of Business Administration
Paul J. Simko
Frank M. Sands Sr. Associate Professor of Business Administration
Scott A. Snell
Eleanor F. and Phillip G. Rust Professor of Business Administration
Kimberly A. Whitler
Frank M. Sands Sr. Professor of Business Administration
Peter Belmi
Scott C. Beardsley Associate Professor of Business Administration
Elizabeth A. Powell
Julie Logan Sands Associate Professor of Business Administration, Associate Professor, School of Nursing, Director, Compassionate Care Initiative
June A. West
Marjorie R. Sands Associate Professor of Business Administration
Leadership
Meet the team leading the Sands Institute, including the CEO and supporting staff.
In the face of global uncertainty, rapid changes in technology, and a dynamic marketplace, leaders must be able to continually grow, learn and develop to create positive change.