Accuracy in Media forces out pro-DEI superintendent at Virginia Military Institute
March 6, 2025
Accuracy in Media’s campaign against radical policies at Virginia Military Institute has resulted in the ousting of Superintendent Maj. Gen. Cedric T. Wins. Following months of exposure, public pressure, and direct confrontation, VMI’s Board of Visitors announced it will not renew Wins’ contract, marking a major victory in AIM’s fight against Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion policies in higher education.
This decision comes after AIM led an aggressive effort to hold VMI accountable, revealing the institution’s hiring of Philip Crane, an avowed antisemite who played a significant role in a Columbia University student organization that signed a proclamation blaming Israel for the October 7 attacks. While many student leaders withdrew their support, Crane did not.
After uncovering Crane’s hiring, AIM deployed mobile billboards to VMI’s campus, directly confronted the Board of Visitors, and exposed the administration’s attempts to defend Crane instead of taking action against him. VMI’s student newspaper, The Cadet, covered AIM’s billboards, which also directed students, faculty, and the public to SaveVMI.com, where more than 34,000 emails flooded the Board of Visitors, demanding accountability.
AIM’s pressure worked. VMI’s Board of Visitors caved, announcing on Feb. 28 that Wins’ contract would not be renewed. This was not just a coincidence—it was the direct result of AIM’s exposure and activism.
“Philip Crane was one of Columbia University’s leading antisemites, and it is egregious that a prestigious military academy like VMI would allow someone like him to serve on staff,” said AIM President Adam Guillette. “Rather than taking action against Crane, the superintendent’s office doubled down and defended him. That’s why AIM stepped in. Firing Maj. Gen. Wins is just the beginning—we will not stop until radical ideologies are wiped out of VMI and beyond.”
This is yet another proof point that AIM’s approach gets results. Universities and administrators who push DEI and radical ideologies should take note—if they won’t clean up their institutions, we will do it for them.