Meet the Staff

Dean of Students Office

Main Desk Phone: 847-491-8430

Jim Neumeister, Assistant Dean of Students
& Director of Student Conduct & Conflict Resolution

Phone: 847-491-4883
Email: neumeister@northwestern.edu

As Assistant Dean of Student and Director of Student Conduct & Conflict Resolution, Jim Neumeister provides leadership for Northwestern's student conduct process and strives to promote community, learning, and integrity on campus.  Jim also serves as a core member of NU's Campus Watch Team, the Campus Coalition on Sexual Violence, and the LBGTQ Campus Advisory Network.

In addition to his roles on campus, Jim serves as the national parliamentarian for the Association of Student Conduct Administration, has taught as an adjunct faculty member in the Higher Education graduate program at Loyola University Chicago, and has engaged in research on student leadership development, student self-authorship, and campus medical amnesty policies.

Jim received his undergraduate degree from the University of Virginia and earned graduate degrees from the University of Notre Dame and the University of Maryland, College Park.

Mona Dugo, Assistant Dean of Students

Phone: 847-491-8430
Email: mona.dugo@northwestern.edu

Anthony C. Kirchmeier, Director Off Campus Life

Phone: 847-491-8302
Email: a-kirchmeier@northwestern.edu

Tony joined the Division of Student Affairs within the Dean of Students Office this January 2012. A new position was created called Director Off-Campus Life. As the Director, Tony serves as the first point of contact for students living off-campus.  In this role, Tony engages and helps off-campus students become more informed about the campus/community resources and information regarding being a member of both Northwestern University and the Evanston community.

Tony grew up in eastern South Dakota and holds a B.S degree in Business/Business Administration from Black Hills State University and an M.S. in Counseling: Student Development with an emphasis in College Student Affairs from Minnesota State University - Mankato.  Tony began working in Higher Education over 25 years ago and is looking forward to his new position with the Dean of Students office team.  

Ellen Herion Fingado, Assistant Director of Student Conduct & Conflict Resolution

Phone: 847-467-2306
Email: e-herion@northwestern.edu

Ellen Herion Fingado currently serves as one of the Assistant Directors in the Office of Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution.  She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Illinois State University and a Master’s in Education from Grand Valley State University with a concentration in Student Affairs Leadership.  Before coming to Northwestern, Ellen served as a Residence Director at DePaul University.  She has experience working in Housing & Residential Life, campus Women’s Centers and Greek Affairs. 

Her areas of interests include identity development and conflict resolution.  Ellen is a trained mediator and currently serves as the Circuit 7 Representative for the Association for Student Conduct Administration (ASCA).

Lance Watson, Assistant Director of Student Conduct & Conflict Resolution

Phone: 847-491-3541
Email: l-watson@northwestern.edu

Originally from New Orleans, Lance left the "Big Easy" to attend the University of Kansas, receiving his B.A. in Applied Behavioral Sciences (emphasis in Youth Development and Juvenile Justice). Though he enjoyed his work with the youth within the various areas of the juvenile justice system, he felt called to pursue a career in Student Affairs. Lance attended Clemson University to pursue a M.Ed. in Counselor Education (Emphasis: Student Affairs) working as a Resident Director and Graduate Intern in Clemson's student conduct office.  Upon graduating, he served two years at the California Maritime Academy as Assistant Commandant of Cadets, where he was charged with overseeing the leadership development of Merchant Marine Officer Candidates as well as facilitate the student conduct processes. 

Lance is currently the Assistant Director for Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution and the Area Coordinator for Graduate Residential Life. In his free time, Lance is an avid college sports fan and can often be seen at your nearest TV taking in the current competition. Additionally, Lance and his wife, Jessica, enjoy cooking, watching movies, and exploring the outdoors and Chicago land area.