The University of Virginia community is mourning the loss of Carrie Heilman, a respected faculty member, educator, and athletics liaison, whose passing on February 26, 2026, has left a profound impact across academic, athletic, and student communities.
Heilman, who was 40 years old, died after a battle with cancer, according to tributes shared by university departments and athletic leadership.
Heilman served as the Faculty Athletics Representative at the University of Virginia, a role that positioned her as a vital bridge between academic administration and the athletics department.
Her work focused on protecting academic integrity, promoting student-athlete welfare, and ensuring balance between competitive success and educational responsibility.
She was widely respected for her ability to advocate for students while maintaining the university’s academic standards.
In addition to her athletics leadership, Heilman was an associate professor at the McIntire School of Commerce, where she taught marketing and served as faculty adviser for the National Student Advertising Competition teams.
Under her guidance, student teams earned national championships in 2016, 2020, and 2021, achievements that reflected both her academic excellence and her mentorship approach.
Her teaching philosophy emphasized professional development, ethical leadership, and personal growth, leaving a lasting influence on generations of students.
Heilman was nationally recognized for her academic contributions. In 2018, she was named one of the top 50 undergraduate professors in the United States by Poets&Quants, and in 2020, she received the UVA All-University Teaching Award.
Her research appeared in leading academic journals, including the Journal of Marketing Research, Journal of Marketing, Journal of Retailing, and the International Journal of Research in Marketing.
She also served as a peer reviewer for multiple academic publications, contributing to the advancement of marketing scholarship nationwide.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Heilman was deeply connected to Virginia athletics as the mother of elite swimmer Thomas Heilman, an Olympic silver medalist and world championship gold medalist who competes for the University of Virginia swim program.
Her sons, Thomas and Matthew, both swim collegiately for UVA, further strengthening the family’s connection to the university and its athletic culture.
The Heilman family has long been recognized as an integral part of the Charlottesville community.
Tributes following her passing have poured in from students, alumni, faculty, athletes, and administrators. Colleagues described her as compassionate, brilliant, and deeply committed to the success of others.
Former students remembered her as a mentor who opened career pathways, built confidence, and inspired purpose beyond the classroom.
Members of the athletic community praised her dedication to student athletes and her unwavering support of their academic and personal development.
According to reporting by SwimSwam, Heilman’s influence extended across both the swimming world and higher education, where she was regarded as a model of leadership, service, and integrity.
At the time of publication, memorial service arrangements had not been announced. The University of Virginia continues to honor her legacy through public tributes and community remembrance.
Carrie Heilman’s life reflected a rare balance of academic excellence, institutional leadership, and personal compassion.
Her impact will endure through the students she mentored, the athletes she supported, and the university community she helped shape.
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