Rutgers University President Jonathan Holloway announced today he'll resign from his position in June following several turbulent years on the job ending his five year contract where he became the state university's first Black president, taking the reins in July 2020.

In the midst of the pandemic, he told the Star-Ledger the political climate surrounding universities right now ultimately drove his decision, saying in today's statement, quote, this decision is my own.

His tenure, though, was marked by a faculty strike last year, a no confidence vote by the faculty Senate and recent student protests calling for divestment from Israel.

He also testified before Congress about antisemitism on campus.

Holloway, who was previously a U.S. historian and professor of African American studies, says he plans to take a year sabbatical to work on longstanding research projects, then return to Rutgers as a full time faculty member.