Dr. William Tate IV has been named the next president of Rutgers University, the school announced on May 19. He will be the second Black American to lead the public institution in New Jersey and currently serves as president of Louisiana State University.
"We sought a transformative leader who embodies Rutgers’ values and our multi-campus identity—someone who is intentional, collaborative and unafraid to think big—someone who understands well the broad, higher education environment and sees the unique opportunities for Rutgers to succeed through it all,” said Rutgers’ board of governors chair Amy L. Towers.
“Dr. Tate is that extraordinary leader, a scholar, an innovator and a transformative force whose vision will unite academic excellence with public impact.”
William F. Tate IV, a renowned social scientist and president of LSU since May 2021, has been appointed the 22nd president of Rutgers University. https://t.co/izbPDpCoN7
— Rutgers Scarlet Knights (@RUAthletics) May 19, 2025
Tate, a social scientist by trade with degrees in economics, math, and epidemiology, was raised Catholic in Chicago and attended Quigley Preparatory Seminary South before matriculating to the University of Illinois. He later earned a doctorate in mathematics education from the University of Maryland.
Tate is known for his research on critical race theory, including the social and geographical determinants in educational attainment and STEM achievement. He is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the National Academy of Education, and is a fellow of the American Educational Research Association.
His career stops included teaching posts at Texas Christian University and the University of Wisconsin-Madison before he became an administrator at Washington University in St. Louis and the University of South Carolina. He was appointed president of the LSU System in 2021, the first Black president at the school and in the history of the Southeastern Conference.
Tate’s tenure at LSU was not without controversy, including spats with students and faculty over a hiring freeze and the removal of diversity, equity, and inclusion commitments even before recent directives from the Trump administration. (In 2023, Louisianans elected a far-right governor, Republican Jeff Landry, who has a history of targeting progressive LSU professors.)
Tate succeeded Dr. F. King Alexander at LSU during a period of upheaval, with the school having admitted to mishandling sexual misconduct complaints against star players and a former head coach in its football program. After Alexander’s resignation in 2019, Tate moved to strengthen the school’s Title IX compliance while simultaneously deemphasizing its initiatives on racial justice and reconciliation.
A survey conducted last summer at the LSU found that only 40% of faculty and staff were confident in the university’s leadership, including Tate. Even so, the school saw spikes in enrollment and research spending under his leadership,
His departure from LSU is coming shortly after that of two other Black administrators at the school, General Counsel Winston DeCuir and Chief Administrative Officer Kimberly Lewis. Provost Roy Haggerty resigned earlier this month. All of the transitions are thought to be related to the school's fraught relationship with Gov. Landry.
Tate will continue to serve at LSU through the end of June, after which Dr. Matt Lee will serve as interim president while the university conducts a national search for Tate’s successor.
Tate will take the helm at Rutgers on July 1, succeeding Dr. Jonathan Holloway, Rutgers’ first Black president. Serving since 2020, he is stepping down this summer to become president and CEO of the Henry Luce Foundation.
Rutgers, the largest university in New Jersey, currently faces a significant budget shortfall and will be looking to increase revenue stability in the short term. The school has also recently committed to infrastructure improvement as well as student experience enhancements.
Tate spoke of his new role as a partnership with a storied institution whose legacy he can help bolster in the coming years.
“I am honored to join the Rutgers family, where the Rutgers Edge is more than a concept. It is reflected in a history of leading with outstanding research, clinical excellence, insightful pedagogy, innovative partnerships and storied athletic feats,” he said in a statement.
“Together, we have an opportunity to align our efforts and push to greater levels of impact. We can compete and win at new heights if we work together.”
Nate Tinner-Williams is co-founder and editor of Black Catholic Messenger.
