George Helmy, a Rutgers University-Newark alumnus, has been appointed to the Rutgers University Board of Governors by Gov. Phil Murphy. His confirmation received unanimous approval from both the Senate Judiciary Committee and the full Senate, with his term effective through June 30, 2030.
Helmy, currently executive vice president and chief external affairs and policy officer at RWJBarnabas Health, brings experience in both public service and private-sector leadership. A Jersey City native, he previously served as New Jersey’s chief of staff to Gov. Murphy and held a temporary appointment as U.S. senator in late 2024, where he worked on key legislative initiatives.
“As my alma mater, Rutgers has long been close to my heart,” Helmy said. “I look forward to supporting its mission and helping it serve as a model for public research universities in America.”
Amy Towers, chair of the Board of Governors, welcomed Helmy’s appointment, highlighting his leadership and strategic expertise as the university embarks on the process of selecting its next president.
The Rutgers Board of Governors consists of 15 voting members responsible for university governance, with eight appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate.
