Rutgers Board of Governors Announces Search Firm, Initiates University President Search Process

The Rutgers University Board of Governors has retained the services of WittKieffer, a highly regarded search firm with extensive experience leading executive searches on behalf of large public universities, to engage in a comprehensive and thorough nationwide search for the 22nd president of Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. The board’s announcement officially initiates the process of selecting a successor to President Jonathan Holloway, who announced last month he would step down on June 30, 2025.

“This is an important time for Rutgers University and an opportunity for Rutgers to chart a bold path forward,” said Amy L. Towers, chair of the Board of Governors. “Rutgers is in a terrific position to attract the best of the best in its next president. The university deserves a dynamic leader and communicator who shares Rutgers’ values, appreciates our multicampus identity, and brings with them experience running large, complex organizations with institutional effectiveness, accountability and a commitment to excellence.

“It is also critically important that any incoming president further Rutgers' dedication to academic research, civic engagement, and its mission to enhance social mobility through access to higher education. In partnership with the new president, the Board of Governors will continue to provide purposeful leadership to achieve our shared goals in ensuring the university reaches its highest potential for its students, student-athletes, faculty, staff and the State of New Jersey,” Towers said.

WittKieffer specializes in recruiting academic leaders from across the globe with decades of experience leading hundreds of presidential searches for colleges and universities. The firm’s placements serve an average tenure of eight years – well above the national average. WittKieffer’s team includes members who have held leadership roles in higher education, understand the unique challenges of large, complex institutions, and are committed to sourcing candidates who will lead with vision and impact.

The search will be guided by a presidential search committee, to be announced by the Board of Governors in the coming weeks and co-chaired by Towers and Alberto Cuitiño, dean of the School of Engineering. Committee members will be representative of the broader university community, campuses and constituencies, including students, alumni, faculty, staff and other key stakeholders who bring a deep understanding of Rutgers’ values and needs.

“I look forward to working with the Board of Governors and am confident that we will identify and choose a candidate who will lead Rutgers into the future, building upon the university’s legacy as a premier academic and research institution,” said Cuitiño. “We want this process to be inclusive and invite members from across Rutgers’ diverse and expansive community to participate and provide valuable feedback.”

Prior to his appointment as dean, Cuitiño served as chair of the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. He is currently a Distinguished Professor, has been part of Rutgers for over 30 years and brings a wealth of leadership experience along with deep institutional knowledge.

As the university’s governing body, the Board of Governors is tasked with overseeing the presidential search process and ultimately appointing the next president of Rutgers University, working closely with the administration to ensure a smooth process and transition.

As part of the process, the presidential search committee will host a series of listening sessions and campus town halls facilitated by WittKieffer and launch a website to keep the Rutgers community informed, provide regular updates and gather additional feedback.

“The Rutgers Board of Trustees has the obligation to ensure leadership continues the trajectory of success Rutgers has had, while honoring all those who have given so much to get us where we are. We are confident that we will find the individual who will cherish this diverse, vibrant university,” said Amy B. Mansue, chair of the Rutgers Board of Trustees.

In September, Holloway informed the Board of Governors and the university community of his plans to resign at the end of the academic year. At that time, Holloway will have served five years, leading Rutgers with integrity through a pandemic, founding Rutgers Scarlet Service, expanding the Scarlet Promise program, and affirming the importance of civic engagement and open dialogue as hallmarks of a vibrant, inclusive and thriving university.

The Board of Governors’ goal is to appoint a successor and have a new university president in place by July 1, 2025.