Introducing the Next Chancellor of Rutgers University–Newark... Dr. Tonya Smith-Jackson!

Tonya Smith-Jackson, a human factors engineer and the current Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (NC A&T), has been appointed Chancellor of Rutgers University–Newark, effective August 1, 2025.

Her appointment was announced at a special meeting of the Rutgers Board of Governors following a year-long national search led by Professor Salamishah Tillet and Executive Vice President Prabhas Moghe and informed by extensive participation across the Rutgers–Newark community.

Smith-Jackson, who holds a doctorate in psychology/ergonomics and interdisciplinary industrial engineering, has served at NC A&T since 2013. Her accomplishments there include the creation of three new doctoral programs, the state’s first bachelor's degree program in artificial intelligence, and dramatic increases in both research staff and graduate assistants at NC A&T.

The search committee was assisted by the firm Isaacson, Miller.

Read more about Dr. Smith-Jackson in the President’s message to the community and the news release about her appointment.

Search Committee

Prabhas Moghe, Co-Chair; Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Distinguished Professor, School of Engineering, Rutgers–New Brunswick

Salamishah Tillet, Co-Chair; Henry Rutgers Professor of Africana Studies and Creative Writing; Director of Express Newark, Rutgers–Newark

LaToya Battle-Brown, Senior Vice Chancellor for Enrollment, Rutgers–Newark

Paul Boxer, Professor of Psychology, School of Arts and Sciences–Newark; University Senate Faculty Representative

Sherri-Ann Butterfield, Senior Vice President of Social Impact, New Jersey Performing Arts Center; Former Executive Vice Chancellor and Associate Professor, Rutgers–Newark

Melissa Cooper, Associate Professor of History, Clement A. Price Humanities Scholars Faculty Director, School of Arts and Sciences–Newark

Jason Cortés, Associate Professor, Spanish, American Studies; Chair, Spanish and Portuguese Studies, School of Arts and Sciences–Newark

Alex Gimenez-Santana, Assistant Professor of Practice, School of Criminal Justice, Rutgers–Newark

David Harris, Member, Board of Trustees; Retired Lowenstein Sandler Partner

Stefon Harris, Associate Professor of Music, School of Arts and Sciences–Newark

Randi Mandelbaum, Associate Dean for Clinical Education, Professor of Law, Law School, Rutgers–Newark

Joy McDonald, Associate Director, Academic Technology Services, Rutgers–Newark

Tiffany Olivera, Ph.D. Candidate, Chemistry, Graduate School–Newark; University Senate Student Representative

Rosa Oppenheim, RBS Dean’s Professor of Business and Interim Chair, Rutgers Business School, Rutgers–Newark

Suzanne Piotrowski, Professor, School of Public Affairs and Administration, Rutgers–Newark

Oliver Quinn, Chair, Rutgers–Newark Chancellor’s Advisory Board; Retired Vice President, Prudential Financial

Ashaki Rouff, Professor of Earth and Environmental Sciences, School of Arts and Sciences–Newark

Wardah Samad, Undergraduate Student, Rutgers Business School, Rutgers–Newark; President, Rutgers–Newark Student Governing Association

Elizabeth Surles, Archivist, Institute of Jazz Studies; Librarian II, Dana Library, Rutgers–Newark

Staff

Brian Ballentine, Senior Vice President for Strategy and Chief of Staff, Office of the President

Kristen Baker, Senior Project Coordinator, Office of the President 

Search Firm Contacts: Isaacson, Miller

Kate Barry, Partner

Alycia Johnson, Managing Associate

Quizayra Gonzalez, Senior Associate