Yale College Dean Jonathan Holloway — the first African-American to hold the position and a former graduate student, professor and residential college head at Yale — announced in an email Monday afternoon that he will step down this June. 

Holloway wrote that he informed University President Peter Salovey of his decision on Nov. 10, and that he will serve as the provost of Northwestern University starting July 1. 

“Becoming a dean gave me a whole new perspective on what everything at Yale College is all about,” Holloway told the News in a phone call. “It’s been challenging, but there’s no doubt I’d rather have it be challenging and interesting than just an easy gig.”

Holloway, who received his Ph.D from Yale in 1995, joined the University’s history department as an assistant professor in 1999 and received tenure five years later. He served as the master of Calhoun College from 2005 to 2014, and chaired the African American Studies department from 2013 to 2014. Holloway took over from Mary Miller as Yale College dean nearly two-and-a-half years ago.

“I have held a wide variety of positions at Yale over the course of these years, but from any perspective one thing remains clear: This is a very special place,” Holloway wrote in the Monday afternoon email. “Though we have a sterling faculty and a dedicated staff, the students have always been the greatest source of inspiration to me. And so, to every student who is reading this message, please accept my heartfelt thanks.” ...