Career Development and Leadership
The Office of the Provost administers and sponsors several initiatives designed to help support and develop the careers of Northwestern's faculty. Whether you are looking for opportunities to connect with the Northwestern or surrounding communities, seeking support for travel related to professional development opportunities, interested in pursuing a leadership role, or looking to make connections with other women faculty at the University, we invite you to browse these pages and learn more about our ongoing efforts to support the excellence of our faculty.
Academic Leadership Program
- This intensive year-long program develops the leadership and managerial skills of faculty who have demonstrated exceptional ability and academic promise. Learn more.
Department Executive Officers Program
- This annual program brings together department heads and chairs for training and workshops on topics such as leadership styles, group decision-making, and staff management. Learn more.
Faculty Leadership Program
- This year-long series of monthly sessions is designed for department chairs, program directors, center or institute directors, division chiefs, and other faculty leaders. The program will provide critical information on University resources and expand skills for those who participate and lead academic units. Learn more.
New Faculty
- Welcome to Northwestern! Here you will find information and resources to help you navigate the Human Resources functions at the University and connect with the community. Learn more.
Public Voices Fellowship Program
- This year-long program provides a select group of Northwestern scholars across all disciplines with the resources, support and skills needed in order to dramatically increase their visibility and influence as thought leaders in academia and the world at large. Learn more.
Speaker and Conferencing Support
- The Office of the Provost administers several endowed lecture funds which support campus-wide programs in various disciplines. Learn more.
Faculty Professional Travel Grants
- Funding is available to help support faculty professional travel. Learn more.
Programs for Women Faculty
- Supporting our women faculty members' careers and providing avenues to strengthen their community are important components of our work to enhance the success of all our faculty. Learn more.
Other Career Resources
Center for Leadership
The Northwestern Center for Leadership can help you integrate the theory and practice of leadership and teamwork in your work whether it’s for a class, academic program, lab, or student group. They work with faculty, staff and students across Northwestern to provide customized services to meet your needs and are also available to meet with you individually. The Center also offers leadership and teamwork assessments through a Leadership Portal built specifically for Northwestern and using tools commonly found in industry. Many faculty use the Leadership Portal for team projects in their courses. For more information, you can email the Center at lead@northwestern.edu or by calling 847-467-1367.
Excellence in Mentoring Initiative
The Excellence in Mentoring Initiative at Northwestern sponsors workshops, special topic sessions and provides biannual training sessions for faculty who mentor graduate students and postdocs. Faculty mentors play a crucial role in the success of graduate students, other faculty, and post-doctoral fellows. In addition, pre- and post-docs learn from their mentors how to mentor others, and participate in a “mentoring chain” that incorporates undergraduates, master’s students, and earlier-career doctoral students. Good mentors promote academic progress, instill motivation, and help with the recruitment and retention of outstanding students, postdoctoral fellows, and faculty.
The Initiative is sponsored by The Graduate School (TGS) and the Office of the Provost.
National Center for Faculty Development & Diversity
Northwestern University is also a member of the National Center for Faculty Development & Diversity (NCFDD). The membership offers free access to professional development resources and support. The NCFDD offers an array of online resources for improving research productivity and balancing personal and professional commitments, such as “How to Develop a Daily Writing Practice,” and “Mastering Academic Time Management.”
This resource is open to all faculty and graduate students. Learn more.
Searle Center for Advancing Learning and Teaching
The Northwestern Searle Center for Advancing Learning and Teaching offers a range of programs and services for faculty and post-docs. The Searle Fellows Program is a year-long experience that encourages faculty to enhance their teaching skills and practices. Workshops are offered on grant writing, as well as issues related to learning and teaching. Additional resources include:
- University teaching roundtable sessions led by award-winning faculty
- Individual consultations, Small Group Analysis, Structured Observations, and End-of-Term focus groups
- Innovative Teaching Grants
- Collaborations in research and evaluation
Please visit the Searle Center online or call 847-467-2338 for more information.