Laura Dimitrijevic

What is your title?

Associate Director, Special Events, Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences

Month and Year You Started Working at Northwestern. 

March 2017

Tell us a bit about your Northwestern journey. 

I started my Northwestern journey at Northwestern’s Pritzker School of Law as the Faculty Events Manager, where I planned academic conferences and events for faculty. In March 2019, I was promoted to Associate Director, Dean’s Office Operations, and ran the Dean’s Office in addition to my events portfolio. I moved to the Evanston campus in January 2022 as the Events Manager for Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences, running events for the Dean’s Office. I also completed my master’s degree in SESP’s Higher Education and Administration program in May 2024. Since joining Northwestern (over 8.5 years ago!), I’ve planned hundreds of events, including judges’ panels, large lectures (like U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and NPR Legal Affairs Correspondent Nina Totenberg), investiture ceremonies, academic conferences, receptions, staff parties, and so much more!

What do you find the most rewarding and fulfilling about your work?

I love the opportunity to plan events that bring people together to connect, engage, and learn. Graduation is one of the hardest but most rewarding events that I plan. Planning the largest undergraduate ceremony takes a lot of work, but when the ceremony begins and the band starts playing Pomp and Circumstance, or when I hear the students sing the alma mater, it brings tears to my eyes, thinking of how impactful a day it is for our graduates and their families. It always reminds me of why I work here at Northwestern.

Your favorite spot to visit on campus.

l love the tucked-away gardens on campus, like the Shakespeare Garden or Marjorie Weinberg Garden.

What’s something you couldn’t function without?

Sparkling water and bagels.

What’s on your bucket list?

Traveling to Europe, specifically Italy, Spain, and France.

Interesting fact about you.

I am the only left-handed person in my family (we think my grandmother might have been left-handed but forced to use her right hand). In college, I was a summer camp counselor and also in a sorority (Alpha Gamma Delta), which I think often contributes to the Energizer Bunny attitude I bring when running events.