Jonathan Holloway, currently the president of Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, has been named by the Board of Directors of the Henry Luce Foundation as the organization’s new President and CEO, effective October 1, 2025. He will become the seventh President and CEO during the Foundation’s 89th year.
“Dr. Holloway is an eminent historian, a respected scholar of the humanities, a public intellectual, and an influential leader in higher education. His thoughtful approach to collaboration and a firm commitment to the Foundation’s long-term view of impact from its grantmaking position him well to lead the Foundation into the future,” said Debra Knopman and Terry Adamson, Co-Chairs of the Foundation’s Board of Directors.
Knopman and Adamson added, “Jonathan exemplifies extraordinary character, strategic insight, and diplomatic acumen. His values align closely with the Foundation’s commitment to nurturing knowledge communities and institutions, amplifying diverse voices, and investing in leadership development as we strive for a more equitable and democratic world. His exceptional listening skills, patience, and transparency will be instrumental in addressing the complex challenges that lie ahead.”
Holloway joins the Henry Luce Foundation after serving five years as the 21st President of Rutgers University.
“I am honored to join the Henry Luce Foundation after I complete my tenure at Rutgers and to build upon its decades of remarkable work to foster discussion across differences, improve public discourse, and nurture ideas that will strengthen communities,” Dr. Holloway said. “At this challenging time in our nation, the Luce Foundation’s efforts are more imperative than ever. I am eager to work with the Foundation’s dedicated staff and Board toward a healthy democratic culture and an equitable society.”
At Rutgers, Holloway championed civic engagement and civil discourse, making them central tenets of his presidency. He launched the Rutgers Scarlet Service program in 2022, providing students with paid internships at nonprofit and government organizations, encouraging hands-on experience, and promoting diversity. Additionally, he taught a first-year seminar titled “Citizenship, Institutions, and the Public,” engaging students in crucial discussions with leaders across various sectors regarding political polarization and social stability. Under his leadership, the Rutgers Democracy Lab was established at the Eagleton Institute of Politics in November 2024, focusing on enhancing democratic engagement and equipping students and community members to navigate government structures, discern misinformation, and engage in constructive civil discourse.
Holloway’s previous positions include serving as provost at Northwestern University and holding faculty roles at Yale University, where he also served as Dean of Yale College. His scholarly work concentrates on post-emancipation U.S. history, particularly in social and intellectual history. Holloway is the author of several prominent publications, including African American History: A Very Short Introduction, The Cause of Freedom: A Concise History of African Americans, and Jim Crow Wisdom: Memory & Identity in Black America Since 1940. He is a member of the Board of Directors of multiple esteemed organizations, including the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the Academic Leadership Institute. Additionally, he is a Fellow of the Council on Foreign Relations and an elected member of the Society of American Historians.
Holloway succeeds Dr. Mariko Silver, who became the President and CEO of the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York City in October 2024.
The Board of Directors extends its heartfelt gratitude to Sean T. Buffington, Vice President for Programs, for his exemplary leadership and invaluable contributions as interim president since September 2024. He will continue in this role to facilitate a smooth transition. “Sean’s guidance during this transition has been invaluable. We appreciate his steady hand and unwavering commitment to the mission of the Foundation,” said Board Co-Chairs Knopman and Adamson.
