Greetings from the Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

August 27, 2025

Dear Colleagues,

I extend my sincerest gratitude for the warm welcome I received during my first week as the Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs at Rutgers University. It is immensely evident from my short time on campus that there is great pride within the Rutgers community and a strong commitment to student success, scholarship and service.

As President Tate has said, a goal of his presidency is “to ensure that the central offices deliver the best possible support and service to the academic, research, and clinical mission of Rutgers University.” As the chief academic officer, I share this vision and am committed to working collaboratively with our colleagues in the chancellor-led units to align our services with their academic priorities and continue fostering a culture of innovation that exemplifies the Rutgers Edge.

Together, we will strengthen Rutgers’ trajectory as a nationally ranked leader in education and discovery. Our success, and that of the university, will be accomplished through data-informed decisions, a steadfast focus on student achievement, and recognizing the extraordinary talent of our faculty who drive the academic mission.

I look forward to meeting you in the weeks and months ahead, learning more about your achievements and goals in enabling the work that defines Rutgers, and exploring how we can work together to empower the innovation occurring across our institution.

Sincerely,

Keena Arbuthnot, Ph.D.
Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs
Chief Academic Officer
Distinguished Professor