Rutgers President Holloway to step down (updated)

Rutgers University President Jonathan Holloway announced Tuesday he will step down June 30, 2025.

That will mark five years of service as the university’s 21st, overall, and first Black president. After taking a sabbatical during the 2025-26 academic year, Holloway plans to return to longstanding research projects before joining the Rutgers faculty full time.

His rollercoaster tenure has included highs and lows, such as:

• Navigating a global pandemic;



• A history-making strike ;



• The flare-up of the Israel-Palestinian situation;



• Record university admissions;



• A significant climb in school rankings;



• Facility upgrades;



• Substantial grants and sponsored programs;



• The Rutgers medical school merger ;



• HELIX ;



• Expanded access and opportunity through new initiatives;



• The school’s continued integration into the Big 10, and much more.

 

Most recently, Athletic Director Patrick Hobbs abruptly resigned from his post Aug. 16, citing health reasons. Following that, Rutgers is now investigating a potential "inappropriate, consensual relationship" he was involved in, according to an NJ Advance Media report .

In a Sept. 17 message to the Rutgers community, Holloway described his time as president as "an enormous privilege and responsibility."

Above all, I remain steadfast in my belief that Rutgers is on the rise and is earning the respect it has long deserved.

Jonathan Holloway , Rutgers University president

“I welcomed the opportunity to join the Rutgers community in July 2020 because I found inspiration in the possibilities that this institution represented: a belief that cutting-edge research could thrive in a university that was deeply committed to making education as accessible as possible to a profoundly diverse student population,” said Holloway. “The reality behind this inspiration has been reaffirmed time and again during my tenure.”

“This decision is my own and reflects my own rumination about how best to be of service,” he noted.

Work to do

Amy Towers, chair of the Rutgers board of governors, said Holloway has led the school with integrity, strong values, and a commitment to service and civility.

"While helping to steer the university through challenges facing higher education including a global pandemic, shifting labor demands and a Supreme Court decision on Affirmative Action in admissions,” said Towers. “Dr. Holloway's decision was his and his alone; we respect it and thank Dr. Holloway for his passion and service.”

“When Jonathan Holloway arrived, he challenged the boards to tell the Rutgers story, to declare our place in the Big Ten, and he assembled a team to put all that is good at Rutgers on the national stage,” said board of trustees Chair Amy Mansue. “He started by making Scarlet Promise grants, created by the Board of Trustees to help students in need central to his efforts, and we look forward to continuing to work with him this year to ensure his remarkable achievements benefit our students for decades to come.”

Holloway said that there is plenty to do before he leaves office.

“And I remain focused on that work,” he added. “Above all, I remain steadfast in my belief that Rutgers is on the rise and is earning the respect it has long deserved. I look forward to seeing it flourish in the years ahead.”

“On behalf of the Board of Governors, I want to assure the entire university community that Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey will continue to move forward and build upon its reputation as a preeminent public research institution,” Towers continued. “The Board of Governors stands prepared to lead a robust, nationwide search to find the best person to lead Rutgers into the future, and we look forward to working with Dr. Holloway to ensure a smooth transition.”

'A strong partner'

“From the beginning, President Holloway has been a strong partner in leading New Jersey’s flagship university through trying and unprecedented times,” Gov. Phil Murphy told NJBIZ in a statement.

“Throughout his tenure as President of Rutgers University, he has demonstrated a deep commitment to the campus community, and under his leadership, the institution has thrived. Not only has Rutgers climbed in national rankings over the past five years, but the university has also attracted more students to apply," the governor added. "It is because of President Holloway that this year Rutgers is celebrating their largest, most diverse, and most accomplished first-year class. I thank President Holloway for his years of dedicated service and wish him and his family all the best.”

Editor's note: This story was updated at 2:53 p.m. ET Sept. 17, 2024, to include a statement from Gov. Phil Murphy.

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Power 50:

Rutgers University President Jonathan Holloway once again is an honoree on the NJBIZ Education Power 50. Click here to see who else made this year's list.

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