The president of Rutgers University, the flagship institution of higher education in New Jersey, has announced his decision to step down next year. Jonathan Holloway, who made history as the university’s first Black president when he assumed office in 2020, revealed that he will be leaving his position at the end of the current academic year on June 30. He intends to take a one-year sabbatical before returning to Rutgers as a full-time professor.
In a statement posted on the university’s website, Holloway explained that his choice to step down was a personal decision made after thoughtful consideration on how he can best serve the institution. He informed the chairwoman of the Rutgers Board of Governors about his plans last month. Holloway, who currently earns a base salary of $888,540 with additional bonuses totaling more than $1.1 million annually, will continue to receive his full salary during his sabbatical period.
Taking on the presidency amidst the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, including managing the return of students to campus post-lockdown and navigating the university’s first faculty strike, Holloway faced various tests during his tenure. He also encountered a symbolic vote of no-confidence by the faculty senate in September 2023 and drew national attention earlier this year for his approach in resolving a pro-Palestinian encampment without police intervention.
With a history dating back to 1766, Rutgers University currently educates almost 68,000 students across its system. School officials have revealed plans to launch a nationwide search for the next university president. They highlighted Holloway’s accomplishments during his term, citing record-breaking undergraduate admissions, significant improvements in national rankings, and exceeding fundraising targets.
