Jonathan Holloway was just named the 21st president of Rutgers University, making him the first Black person to hold the position since the school was founded in 1766.
Holloway, 52, is currently provost of Northwestern University where he has served since 2017. There, he is also a professor of History and African American Studies.
This isn’t the first time Holloway has made history in academia. Prior to his appointment at Northwestern, he blazed a new trail in 2014 when he became the first Black dean at Yale University.
“I was drawn to the opportunity at Rutgers University because of its amazing history, its foundation of excellence in teaching and its ambition to continue conducting life-changing research that improves our communities, our country and our world,” Holloway said in a statement shared by Rutgers.
Holloway obtained his bachelor’s degree in American Studies from Stanford University, where he also played on the football team alongside Senator Corey Booker. He went onto earn a Ph.D. in History from Yale University.
“Jonathan Holloway is an extraordinarily distinguished scholar with an outstanding record as an academic administrator at Northwestern and Yale. He is thoughtful, visionary, inclusive and decisive. He leads with remarkable integrity, and is just the right person to build upon Rutgers’ long tradition as an academic and research powerhouse,” said Mark Angelson, Rutgers Board of Governors Chair.
Holloway will begin his appointment as president on July 1, 2020.