George Helmy Joins Board of Governors
George Helmy, a Rutgers University-Newark alumnus, has joined the Rutgers University Board of Governors following his appointment by New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy. He was confirmed with the unanimous support of both the Senate Judiciary Committee and the full Senate. His membership is effective through June 30, 2030.
“I am thankful to Governor Murphy for the honor to join the Rutgers University Board of Governors,” Helmy said. “As my alma mater, Rutgers has long been close to my heart. Growing up in New Jersey and throughout my career in public service, I have seen firsthand the importance of Rutgers to its students, local communities and the people of New Jersey. In this challenging moment for higher education across our country, I’m looking forward to supporting Rutgers’ mission and building on the growth and success we have seen to help it be a model for public research universities in America.”
Helmy brings broad management experience in both the public and private sectors to the position and currently serves as executive vice president, chief external affairs and policy officer at RWJBarnabas Health, where he has oversight of government relations and is a strategic advisor on policy matters and stakeholder relationships.
A Jersey City native, Helmy was appointed to serve the state in a temporary role as U.S. Senator from September to December 2024. Among the committees he served on were banking, housing and urban affairs, finance and foreign relations. He sponsored and introduced several bills, including the Tax Relief for Middle Class Families Act and the FIRE Cancer Act, which ensures cancer screenings for firefighters.
“It is with great enthusiasm that we welcome George Helmy to the Rutgers University Board of Governors,” said Amy Towers, chair of the Board of Governors. “As Rutgers navigates the important task of selecting its next president, George’s leadership will be critical for our institution. George brings a wealth of experience in public service, strategic leadership and navigating complex challenges — qualities that are so valuable to our Rutgers community. His deep commitment to the people of New Jersey is evident and will help propel Rutgers forward as we continue to advance our mission of excellence in education and research and continued commitment to our state.”
Before his appointment to Congress by Murphy, Helmy was the governor’s chief of staff and played critical roles in the state’s pandemic response, budget negotiations and legislative goals.
Helmy, who got his start in public service by working as an aide to former U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg, was state director to U.S. Sen. Cory Booker from 2016 to 2019 after working as Booker’s deputy chief of staff for two years.
Helmy has also worked in the private sector with two Fortune 100 companies. He received his bachelor of arts in psychology from Rutgers-Newark before earning his master’s degree in finance and management from Harvard University in 2011.
The Board of Governors is composed of 15 voting members vested with broad supervision of university governance and administration. The president of the university is an ex officio, nonvoting member. Three representatives are elected by the Rutgers University Senate as nonvoting representatives. Of the 15 voting members, eight are appointed by the governor of the state with confirmation by the New Jersey State Senate and seven are elected by and from the Board of Trustees.
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, is a leading national research university and the state of New Jersey’s preeminent, comprehensive public institution of higher education. Established in 1766, the university is the eighth-oldest higher education institution in the United States. More than 69,000 students and 27,000 faculty and staff learn, work and serve the public at Rutgers University-New Brunswick, Rutgers University-Newark, Rutgers University-Camden and Rutgers Health.
