Yale President Peter Salovey To Step Down After 11 Years

NEW HAVEN, CT —Peter Salovey, the longtime president of Yale University, is stepping down, Salovey announced in a letter to the Yale community Thursday.

Salovey arrived at Yale as a psychology graduate student in August 1981. Later, he became a psychology professor before eventually being asked to take on the presidency in November 2012.

Next, following his departure from the presidency on June 30, 2024, Salovey said he will return to his roots as a professor in the psychology department.

"The quieter, slower pace of the summer provided an opportunity for reflection on my ten years as Yale’s president," Salovey wrote, in part, in his letter. "Over the past couple of months, I have thought a lot about our university and the most auspicious time to begin a leadership transition ... I believe the best time to search for a new leader is when things are going well."

Salovey highlighted Yale's "serious and meaningful strides" over the past decade, including its dedication to being "even more preeminent in teaching and research, in addressing pressing global challenges, and in preparing the next generation to serve and lead worldwide."

Prior to his role as president, Salovey also served as a faculty member running a laboratory, a chair of the psychology department, a dean of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences and then of Yale College, and then as provost of the university.

"[These experiences] only deepened my appreciation for our faculty, staff, students, and alumni, as well as my love for this institution," Salovey wrote.

In his letter, Salovey expressed his "enormous appreciation and gratitude" for everyone who supported Yale's progress over his tenure and to the entire community.

"Thank you," Salovey wrote. "You have made these years as president deeply rewarding. I look forward to the work we will do together in the next ten months and beyond."