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Kathleen Hagerty works with deans, directors and administrative units to set academic priorities and polices and coordinate initiatives to support graduate and undergraduate education, faculty appointments and promotion, and space and resource planning. She also has primary responsibility for preparing Northwestern’s annual budget.
Central Office Staff
Kayla Atkins manages faculty-facing programming and events including faculty wellness programs, professional development workshops, mentorship small groups and new faculty orientations.Laura Cardimen provides support and coordination for a variety of initiatives led by the Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education and Director for Undergraduate Education.
Lorraine Cassis supports the Associate Provost for Administration, Finance and Facilities, the Associate Provost for Strategy and Policy, and the Associate Provost for Faculty.
Jenny Chaitkin Puchtel oversees business operations, including budget and planning, financial administration, and human resources, for the Office of the Provost and its 25-plus administrative reporting units. She also works to ensure ongoing alignment of Office of the Provost resources and strategic priorities through the office’s resource planning and position management processes.
Sumitrajit (Sumit) Dhar and the Associate Provost for Faculty team leads faculty-focused initiatives and programs related to faculty support and development. The team also assists the Provost on faculty matters such as recruitment, retention, tenure, promotion and resource allocation.
Celina Flowers oversees the implementation of policies, programs and infrastructures that are designed to support faculty excellence. She also works to coordinate institutional responses to address faculty concerns and manages the processes that govern faculty rights and appeals.
Mark Francis is responsible for supporting and enhancing academic operations, work processes, resource allocation processes, and space/facilities planning and execution, both within the Office of the Provost and across the University.
Miriam Gamoran Sherin facilitates the enhancement of the undergraduate academic experience through partnerships with the undergraduate schools and Student Affairs. Her office provides resources and opportunities for undergraduates through several undergraduate education units.
Samantha Haevers manages scheduling, travel arrangements, event coordination and other relevant project work on behalf of Office of the Provost senior leaders.
Mike Hines leads communications for the President, Provost and, for communications that have broad institutional impact, the Executive Vice President.
Mia Hodges provides support for the Associate Provost for Faculty and other initiatives led by the Office of the Provost faculty team.Joan Marie Johnson leads programming and initiatives for faculty, focused on the successful recruitment, retention and support of faculty at all stages of their careers. She also oversees administration of the external Nemmers Prizes and manages various awards and honors for the Provost Office.
Jake Julia oversees academic budget activities in partnership with the Budget Office and oversees academic facility and space utilization, renovations and approvals for academic capital projects, key initiatives, projects and operations that have University-wide impact. He also oversees the operations of Enrollment Management, the Registrar’s Office and Financial Aid.
Roma Khanna leads the University Policy Review Committee and manages University accreditation, state authorization, and new degree program processes and approvals. Roma also oversees University-level leadership searches.
Leslie Kirchler-Owen provides strategic leadership for cross-department and school collaboration to support campus planning and academic capital projects.Andrianna Kurzenberger contributes to key projects across the Strategy and Policy portfolio, such as the dean review process, University-level leadership searches and accreditation-related milestones.
Madison Pintér supports the business operations of the Office of the Provost, including budgetary and financial planning, human resources and IT administration.
Mearah Quinn-Brauner provides strategic and tactical support for a wide range of activities within the Office of the Provost and the University more broadly, including senior searches, oversight of new degree programs and international partnership agreements, fulfillment of accreditation and state authorization requirements, dean reviews, and the development of University policy.
Alex Rot supports the Office of the Provost with processes and projects related to faculty lifecycle transactions, faculty salary planning and faculty hiring plans. He also provides quality assurance and conducts research related to the data surrounding these processes.
Daniel Walsh supports the Office of the Provost with processes and projects related to faculty lifecycle transactions (appointments, leaves, named professorships, tenure and promotion, retirements), faculty salary planning and faculty hiring plans.Lee West facilitates collaborative cross-school and cross-unit initiatives for undergraduates, supports linkages between curricular and co-curricular support services and programming, and works across the schools and units to extend efforts in assessing student learning outcomes of undergraduates.
Brad Zakarin focuses on the leadership and execution of strategic initiatives in support of the diverse portfolio of academic and administrative responsibilities within the Office of the Provost. His primary responsibilities include facilitation and support of effective evidence-based decision-making through quantitative and qualitative analysis, the development of briefs and recommendations, and contributions to key processes and projects.Reporting Unit Staff
Jasmine Gurneau leads the development and implementation of University-wide initiatives related to the inclusion of Native American and Indigenous students, faculty, staff and alumni. Her role includes facilitating stakeholder engagement, serving as a thought leader on campus, and building and sustaining partnerships with tribal communities.
Marianna Kepka
Associate Vice President for Organizational Strategy and Change
Phone: 847-491-8548 m-kepka@northwestern.eduMarianna Kepka oversees strategic and change initiatives that span the academic and administrative sides of the University. She leads the Office of Organizational Strategy and Change in engaging with leaders in schools and units to analyze, develop and implement change in order to improve strategy, operations and organizational processes.
Louie Lainez engages in the communication, outreach and advancement of institutional diversity and inclusion initiatives for students, faculty, staff, alumni and community partners.
Michelle Manno provides strategic and tactical support on critical activities for the Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion, promoting equitable culture across Northwestern. Manno actively engages as a leader with internal and external stakeholders in support of this mission, to coordinate efforts aimed at creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment for the entire community.Kelly Mayo joined The Graduate School in Spring 2020 as the Interim Dean and Interim Associate Provost for Graduate Education. He was appointed the permanent role on May 1, 2021.
Robin R. Means Coleman
Vice President and Associate Provost for Diversity and Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer
Phone: 847-467-3488rrmc@northwestern.eduRobin R. Means Coleman leads and coordinates efforts to create a diverse, inclusive and welcoming environment for all Northwestern community members.
Milan Mrksich oversees an integrated portfolio of expert services and resources delivered by 18 units.
Leona Quist directly supports the Vice President and Associate Provost for Diversity and Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer.Sean Reynolds provides leadership for the continued development of an innovative, robust and secure information technology environment throughout the University.
Annelise Riles
Associate Provost for Global Affairs and Executive Director of the Northwestern Buffett Institute for Global Affairs
Phone: 847-491-4481
annelise.riles@northwestern.eduAnnelise Riles began her tenure as the Associate Provost for Global Affairs and Executive Director of Northwestern Buffett in September 2018. She helps develop the University’s global strategy and creates avenues for collaboration that address critical global challenges.