The New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) Board of Trustees has unanimously appointed Dr. John Pelesko to serve as the university’s interim president. The appointment, effective August 4, follows the announcement that current President Teik Lim will retire from the university on August 3, 2026.
The Board reached its decision during a public session held on June 11, expressing strong confidence in Dr. Pelesko’s ability to guide the institution through its upcoming period of transition.
Pelesko, who currently serves as NJIT’s provost and executive vice president for academic affairs, is no stranger to the university. A New Jersey native and an NJIT alumnus, he earned his Ph.D. in mathematical sciences from the institution. His career has spanned decades of academic leadership, including roles as a professor, department chair, associate dean, and dean at various universities.
Since stepping into his current role as provost in 2023, Pelesko has overseen the university’s extensive academic enterprise. His portfolio has included management of NJIT’s colleges and schools, research initiatives, enrollment management, graduate and undergraduate studies, and career development services.
NJIT Trustee Chair Robert Cohen praised the incoming interim president for his steady leadership and deep institutional knowledge.
“Dr. Pelesko brings significant experience, vast institutional knowledge, and a strong commitment to NJIT’s mission and values to the interim presidency,” Cohen said. “He is an accomplished scholar and leader in whom the Board and the university community have great confidence.”
During his tenure as provost, Pelesko has been instrumental in strengthening the university’s research output and shaping its overarching strategic plan. Notably, he has spearheaded the AI@NJIT initiative, a comprehensive effort designed to align the university’s curriculum and student preparation with the demands of an increasingly AI-driven global economy.
As NJIT prepares for this leadership transition, the Board of Trustees emphasized that Pelesko’s appointment is intended to ensure both continuity and sustained momentum for the university’s long-term goals.
