Rutgers University has unveiled the 20 individuals tasked with selecting the final candidates for the institution’s next president. School officials announced late Wednesday that the committee represents a “balanced representation from across Rutgers’ campuses and constituencies.”
The search follows President Jonathan Holloway’s September announcement that he will step down in June 2025 after completing his five-year term. Holloway plans to take a year-long sabbatical before returning to Rutgers as a history professor. Earlier this month, the university hired WittKieffer, an executive search firm, to lead the search process for Holloway’s successor.
Amy L. Towers, chair of the Rutgers Board of Governors, and Alberto Cuitiño, dean of the School of Engineering, will co-chair the committee. Towers emphasized the importance of inclusivity in the search process.
“The Board of Governors and the Presidential Search Committee are committed to facilitating a collaborative, open process that welcomes, values, and considers input from across the Rutgers community. We want everyone to have an opportunity to be heard,” Towers said in the announcement, adding that the committee’s composition “truly reflects the best of Rutgers.”
The committee includes representatives from the University Senate, the Boards of Governors and Trustees, campus leaders from New Brunswick, Camden, and Newark, the Rutgers University Foundation, and the Rutgers Alumni Association.
Opportunities for Community Input
Community members are encouraged to participate in the process by nominating candidates and sharing their thoughts on the university’s next leader. An online survey and email submissions are open through the presidential search website.
Additionally, WittKieffer will host three town hall-style listening sessions in December, inviting feedback from students, faculty, and staff.
- New Brunswick: Tuesday, December 3, 3:30-5 p.m., Richard Weeks Hall of Engineering, Room 102
- Newark: Wednesday, December 4, 2:00-3:30 p.m., Paul Robeson Student Center, Essex Room
- Camden: Thursday, December 5, 12:45-2:15 p.m., Camden Campus Center, Multi-purpose Room
Additional sessions will be announced in the coming months.
Committee Members
The 20-person search committee includes a diverse group of faculty, students, administrators, and alumni:
- Matt Colagiovanni, Deputy Athletic Director
- Dan DiFilippo, Chair, Rutgers University Foundation Board
- Monica Driscoll, Distinguished Professor, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry
- Marika Dunn, Executive Director, Research Relationships
- Lucille Foster, Chair, University Senate
- Parimal Garg, Partner, Lowenstein Sandler, Former Murphy Offical
- Oscar Holmes, Associate Professor and Director, Rutgers University Student Executive (RUSE) Program
- Frank Hundley, Trustee Emeritus
- Manuel Jimenez, Associate Professor, Pediatrics and Family Medicine
- Kenneth Johnson, Vice Chair, Board of Trustees
- Mark Manigan, Member, Board of Governors; President and CEO, RWJBarnabas Health
- Rebecca Mezei, Graduate Student, Rutgers Law School
- Jose Ramirez-Garofalo, Graduate Student, School of Graduate Studies
- Savayra Rao, Undergraduate Student, Rutgers–Newark
- Alejandro Ruiz, Executive Director, Environmental Health and Safety
- Jaideep Vaidya, Distinguished Professor, Computer Information Systems
- Gloria Vanderham, Chair, Rutgers Alumni Association
- Nyeema Watson, Senior Vice Chancellor, Strategy, Diversity, and Community Engagement
The Board of Governors will select the 22nd president of Rutgers University, aiming for a start date of July 1, 2025.
