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Leadership Notes

Messages From Northwestern Leaders

Most Recent Notes

Official statements, messages and announcements to the Northwestern community from President Michael Schill and other Northwestern University leaders.

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Harnessing the Power of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence

March 7, 2024
Advances in data science and artificial intelligence (DS/AI) are challenging us to rethink how we prepare our students for a dramatically different future. With these limitless possibilities in mind, last fall, Northwestern leadership identified the need to advance foundational research and applications of emerging DS/AI tools as one of our institutional priorities.
Kathleen Hagerty
Kathleen Hagerty
Provost
Eric Perreault
Eric Perreault
Vice President for Research
Sean Reynolds
Sean Reynolds
Vice President for Information Technology
data science, artificial intelligenceKathleen Hagerty, Eric Perreault , Sean Reynolds

Sunday Night’s Emergency Alerts

February 26, 2024
Last night, beginning just before 11 p.m., the University issued a series of alerts following a report of shots fired near 70 Arts Circle Drive on Northwestern’s Evanston campus.
Bruce Lewis
Bruce Lewis
Chief of Police and Senior Associate Vice President
Bruce Lewis

President’s Advisory Committee on Free Expression and Institutional Speech

February 19, 2024
Today, I am appointing a committee of distinguished senior faculty to propose to me a statement on free expression that reflects Northwestern’s values. I view the work of the President’s Advisory Committee on Free Expression and Institutional Speech as vital for our community.
Michael Schill
Michael Schill
President and Professor
president, committee, free expressionMichael Schill
committee, antisemitism, hate, president schillMichael Schill

Annual Financial Update

January 11, 2024
This year’s update is the first since Northwestern unveiled a set of priorities and guiding principles that focus on the University’s commitments to global eminence in research, innovation and education, the strengthening of our academic community across our campuses, and investments in our world-class faculty and staff.
Michael Schill
Michael Schill
President and Professor
Amanda Distel
Amanda Distel
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Kathleen Hagerty
Kathleen Hagerty
Provost
financesMichael Schill, Amanda Distel, Kathleen Hagerty

Celebrating the Lessons of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

January 10, 2024
As we approach the annual observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy, it is crucial for us to reflect on the profound impact he had on our nation and acknowledge how his teachings endure in the present.
Michael Schill
Michael Schill
President and Professor
Susan Davis
Susan Davis
Vice President for Student Affairs
Kathleen Hagerty
Kathleen Hagerty
Provost
Michelle Manno
Michelle Manno
Interim Chief Diversity Officer
Martin Luther King Jr.Michael Schill, Susan Davis, Kathleen Hagerty, Michelle Manno

Follow Up to Last Night’s Incident Near the Chicago Campus

November 28, 2023
We recognize that incidents in which shots are fired are stressful and can create anxiety. We encourage you to familiarize yourself with these safety resources and to have these ready in your smartphone if you ever need them.
Bruce Lewis
Bruce Lewis
Chief of Police and Senior Associate Vice President
Bruce Lewis

Announcing New Committee on Preventing Antisemitism and Hate

November 13, 2023
To support the University’s commitment to protecting our students, faculty and staff from antisemitism and other forms of discriminatory or threatening acts based upon religion or national origin and to promote our central mission of civil dialogue and learning, I will appoint the President’s Advisory Committee on Preventing Antisemitism and Hate.
Michael Schill
Michael Schill
President and Professor
Michael Schill

Promoting Peace and Civility

November 4, 2023
On Friday, an Arab Muslim student at Stanford University was injured in what is being investigated as a potential hate crime. These incidents serve as stark reminders that we must be vigilant in our efforts to promote peace and civility, and to provide safety and support to our community.
Michael Schill
Michael Schill
President and Professor
Kathleen Hagerty
Kathleen Hagerty
Provost
Susan Davis
Susan Davis
Vice President for Student Affairs
Luke Figora
Luke Figora
Vice President for Operations
Michael Schill, Kathleen Hagerty, Susan Davis, Luke Figora

Civility During Conflict

October 26, 2023
We have spoken before about Northwestern’s values. Many of them seem particularly important today. We champion access, diversity and belonging; we encourage debate; we strengthen our community and perhaps most importantly, we care about one another.
Michael Schill
Michael Schill
President and Professor
Kathleen Hagerty
Kathleen Hagerty
Provost
civility, respect, president Michael schill, provost Kathleen hagertyMichael Schill, Kathleen Hagerty

Support Resources for Students During These Challenging Times

October 19, 2023
These are incredibly challenging times. We've heard from many students who have been profoundly affected by the escalating violence in Israel and Gaza. Our hearts are heavy with grief for the violence, pain and suffering that so many are enduring.
Susan Davis
Susan Davis
Vice President for Student Affairs
Mona Dugo
Mona Dugo
Assistant Vice President of Wellness and Dean of Students
Susan Davis, Mona Dugo

Our Northwestern Values

October 13, 2023
Earlier this week, I circulated a communication to our senior leadership stating my view that I should not as the president of Northwestern make statements on behalf of the entire University on “political, geopolitical or social issues that do not directly impact the core mission of our University.” This belief is based upon the principles of academic freedom and free expression that undergird our institution and allow for a multiplicity of views on these types of matters.
Michael Schill
Michael Schill
President and Professor
president Michael SchillMichael Schill

Message from President Schill to Senior Leadership

October 12, 2023
Some of you have asked either me or the provost about whether the University would be issuing a statement on the current conflict in Israel and Gaza. I also know many of you are receiving similar requests from your own leadership, staff and communities. I am not planning to put out a statement officially stating a University position. I thought I would write to give you a bit of insight into why.
Michael Schill
Michael Schill
President and Professor
president Michael Schill, speechMichael Schill

Celebrating a Sense of Excitement and Possibility

October 3, 2023
As we prepare for Homecoming and Reunion weekend, I would like to take an opportunity during these first weeks of the 2023-2024 academic year to share the sense of excitement and possibility I believe we all have before us.
Michael Schill
Michael Schill
President and Professor
president Michael schill, homecoming, reunion, Michael Schill

Reminders About Campus Safety

September 21, 2023
Welcome to the 2023-2024 academic year. The Department of Safety & Security offers these important reminders and updates as we continue to work with University partners to support your safety and well-being so learning, community building, and research can continue to thrive at Northwestern.
Bruce Lewis
Bruce Lewis
Chief of Police and Senior Associate Vice President
Luke Figora
Luke Figora
Vice President for Operations
campus safetyBruce Lewis, Luke Figora

Welcome to a New Academic Year

September 19, 2023
Welcome to the new academic year! This is the time when our campuses in Evanston, Chicago and Doha come to life again with the excitement of intellectual discourse, innovation and opportunity.
Michael Schill
Michael Schill
President and Professor
Kathleen Hagerty
Kathleen Hagerty
Provost
welcome, president Michael schill, provost Kathleen hagertyMichael Schill, Kathleen Hagerty

A Welcome Message to Students

September 17, 2023
No matter where this letter finds you in your Northwestern journey, I want to wish you a successful start to the 2023-24 school year.
Susan Davis
Susan Davis
Vice President for Student Affairs
susan davis, students, welcomeSusan Davis

Updates After a Busy Summer

September 7, 2023
From Chicago to Qatar, class is in session for many of our programs. The Evanston campus too will fill up during the next two weeks in preparation for the 2023-24 academic year. As we all get ready for the excitement, traditions and obligations of the fall, we want to provide some updates on news from the summer.
Michael Schill
Michael Schill
President and Professor
Kathleen Hagerty
Kathleen Hagerty
Provost
president Michael schillMichael Schill, Kathleen Hagerty
president Michael Schill, Ryan Field, EvanstonMichael Schill
president Michael schill, Ryan field, EvanstonMichael Schill

Support for Northwestern Student-Athletes

July 24, 2023
To our student athletes: I wholeheartedly support you during this difficult time, and I am not alone. And to the broader Northwestern community: please continue to support one another as we work to emerge from this a stronger University.
Michael Schill
Michael Schill
President and Professor
Michael Schill

Ensuring Northwestern Athletics Program Reflects Our Values

July 18, 2023
I write to you today to give you my commitment that I will continue to do whatever is necessary to address this situation and ensure that our athletic program remains one you can be proud of and one that is fully aligned with and reflects our values.
Michael Schill
Michael Schill
President and Professor
hazing, president Michael schill, athleticsMichael Schill
president schill, football, Patrick FitzgeraldMichael Schill

Update on Hazing Investigation

July 8, 2023
Dear members of the Northwestern University community, As many of you may be aware, yesterday we made public the executive summary of investigative findings and detailed action steps regarding hazing within...
Michael Schill
Michael Schill
President and Professor
Michael Schill

Today’s Supreme Court Ruling on Race and Admissions

June 29, 2023
I am deeply disappointed in today’s Supreme Court’s decision. While we will, of course, abide by the ruling, I strongly disagree with the interpretation of the Constitution reflected in the majority opinion, a decision that will make it more difficult for Northwestern to achieve one of our imperatives — the promotion of diversity, inclusion and belonging on our campuses.
Michael Schill
Michael Schill
President and Professor
race, Supreme Court, affirmative action, diversityMichael Schill
campus safetySusan Davis, Luke Figora

Student Shot Off Campus

May 23, 2023
We write to share the difficult news that last night, an undergraduate student was shot and seriously injured off campus at Willye B. White Park on Howard Avenue in Chicago’s Rogers Park neighborhood.
Susan Davis
Susan Davis
Vice President for Student Affairs
Mona Dugo
Mona Dugo
Assistant Vice President of Wellness and Dean of Students
students, safetySusan Davis, Mona Dugo
diversity, students, inclusionMichael Schill

Update After Incident at Clark Street Beach

April 13, 2023
We write to you today to express our deepest sympathy for the victims of that shooting and their families, to acknowledge the anxiety and fear many of you felt last night, and to thank you for your cooperation and patience while you sheltered in place.
Michael Schill
Michael Schill
President and Professor
Kathleen Hagerty
Kathleen Hagerty
Provost
Craig Johnson
Craig Johnson
Executive Vice President
police, campus safetyMichael Schill, Kathleen Hagerty, Craig Johnson

Transforming Research to Transform the World

March 6, 2023
At Northwestern, we transform what we’ve learned yesterday to create whole new avenues for tomorrow. Our research enterprise is agile, adaptive and innovative, powered by partnerships among leading thinkers across disciplines.
Milan Mrksich
Milan Mrksich
Vice President for Research
Milan mrksich, researchMilan Mrksich

In DEI, it’s Not Enough to Open the Door. The Work Continues Inside.

February 23, 2023
Opening a door is not the same as inviting someone inside and holding space for them to show up as their authentic self. This is where we as educators must channel more energy into the concept of inclusion — that the people we now have at the table are both visible and empowered in the spaces they occupy.
E. Patrick Johnson
E. Patrick Johnson
Dean of the School of Communication
DEI, school of communication, E. Patrick Johnson, diversity, inclusionE. Patrick Johnson

Honoring the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.

January 13, 2023
On Monday, Northwestern University will pause to observe the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. national holiday, a time to celebrate his life and enduring legacy while contemplating our nation’s ongoing quest for social justice and equality.
Michael Schill
Michael Schill
President and Professor
Kathleen Hagerty
Kathleen Hagerty
Provost
Robin Means Coleman
Robin Means Coleman
Vice President and Associate Provost for Diversity and Inclusion
Patricia Lampkin
Patricia Lampkin
Interim Vice President for Student Affairs
Martin Luther king Jr.Michael Schill, Kathleen Hagerty, Robin Means Coleman, Patricia Lampkin

2023 Annual Financial Update

January 12, 2023
In this annual financial update, we will offer some perspective on why we believe Northwestern is in a position to stake out a greater leadership role in what we do best — creating and spreading knowledge.   
Michael Schill
Michael Schill
President and Professor
Kathleen Hagerty
Kathleen Hagerty
Provost
Craig Johnson
Craig Johnson
Executive Vice President
Michael Schill, Kathleen Hagerty, Craig Johnson