Email Communications
Accordion Content
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Dear Members of the Rutgers Community,
The Board of Governors officially announced the commencement of a nationwide search for the 22nd President of Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. As co-chairs of the Presidential Search Committee, we are committed to an inclusive, collaborative, and efficient process that prioritizes engagement and input from our diverse and vibrant Rutgers community. We invite you to participate.
This is an important time for Rutgers to chart a bold path forward and build upon its successes as one of the country’s most respected and historic public institutions for research and higher education. Rutgers stands ready to welcome a transformative leader who embodies our values, embraces the richness of our multicampus identity, and brings the expertise needed to guide a large, dynamic institution toward greater heights of excellence, accountability, and innovation.
HOW IT WORKS
The Board of Governors has retained WittKieffer, a highly regarded search firm with extensive experience leading executive searches on behalf of large public universities, like Rutgers. They will engage in a comprehensive and thorough nationwide search, working closely with a 20-member Presidential Search Committee selected through a thoughtful and deliberate nomination process to ensure balanced representation across Rutgers’ diverse campuses and constituencies, including students, staff, faculty, alumni, and community partners. We are pleased to announce the esteemed members of the Presidential Search Committee who will evaluate candidates, help to cultivate a talented candidate pool, conduct interviews, and recommend finalists to the Board of Governors for its consideration and selection.
Amy L. Towers, Co-Chair Chair, Rutgers Board of Governors Manuel Jimenez
Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical SchoolAlberto Cuitiño, Co-Chair Dean, Rutgers School of Engineering Kenneth Johnson
Vice Chair, Rutgers Board of TrusteesMatt Colagiovanni
Deputy Athletic Director, Facilities, Capital Projects, and Internal OperationsMark Manigan
Member, Rutgers Board of Governors;
President and CEO, RWJBarnabas HealthDan DiFilippo
Chair, Rutgers University Foundation Board of DirectorsRebecca Mezei
Graduate Student, Rutgers Law SchoolMonica Driscoll
Distinguished Professor of Molecular Biology and BiochemistryJose Ramirez-Garofalo
Graduate Student, Rutgers School of Graduate StudiesMarika Dunn
Executive Director for Research Relationships, Rutgers Office of ResearchSavayra Rao
Undergraduate Student, Rutgers University–Newark;
Vice President, Rutgers–Newark Student Governing AssociationLucille Foster
Chair, Rutgers University SenateAlejandro Ruiz
Executive Director, Rutgers Environmental Health and Safety;
University Safety OfficerParimal Garg
Partner, Lowenstein SandlerJaideep Vaidya
Distinguished Professor, Computer Information Systems, Rutgers University;
Director, Rutgers Institute for Data Science, Learning, and ApplicationsOscar Holmes
Associate Professor and Director, Rutgers University Student Executive (RUSE) ProgramGloria Vanderham
Chair, Rutgers University Alumni AssociationFrank Hundley
Former Member of the Governing Boards, Trustee EmeritusNyeema Watson
Senior Vice Chancellor, Strategy, Diversity and Community Engagement, Rutgers University–CamdenWE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU
As part of our commitment to fostering an open process that welcomes, values, and considers input from across the Rutgers community, we are working with WittKieffer to host a series of in-person town halls and listening sessions. The first ones have been scheduled for the week of December 2, and we expect more to be announced in the coming weeks, including virtual, morning, and evening sessions to accommodate people’s various work and class schedules.
- New Brunswick
Tuesday, December 3, 3:30–5 p.m.
Richard Weeks Hall of Engineering, Room 102 - Newark
Wednesday, December 4, 2–3:30 p.m.
Essex Room, Paul Robeson Student Center - Camden
Thursday, December 5, 12:45–2:15 p.m.
Multipurpose Room, Camden Campus Center
We will continue to keep everyone informed throughout the search and invite you to visit the Presidential Search website where you can find more information on the search process, view the latest schedule of upcoming town hall and listening sessions to attend, receive updates, and complete a campus feedback survey. We have also created an email address to submit questions and input directly to the Presidential Search Committee at presidentialsearch@rutgers.edu.
TIMELINE
To ensure a seamless transition and have a successor in place by the conclusion of President Jonathan Holloway’s term on June 30, 2025, we have established an ambitious timeline—one we are confident the Rutgers community is well-equipped to achieve. We expect WittKieffer and the Presidential Search Committee to largely complete their work by March, so that the Board of Governors can make its selection by April. We are fortunate to have a Committee that truly reflects the best of Rutgers, individuals who bring with them diverse perspectives, ideas, experience, and knowledge, who will ensure we identify the right person to lead the university into the future.
We want to thank you in advance for sharing your thoughts and ideas and participating in the process of selecting the next president of Rutgers University. We pledge to lead this effort with integrity and purpose and to keep the Rutgers community informed and engaged throughout.
Sincerely,
Amy L. Towers
Chair, Board of Governors
Co-chair, Rutgers Presidential Search CommitteeAlberto Cuitiño
Dean, School of Engineering
Co-chair, Rutgers Presidential Search Committee - New Brunswick