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Office of the Provost

Promoting and Advancing Northwestern’s Academic Mission

Welcome to the Office of the Provost

The Office of the Provost provides the resources and infrastructure that empower Northwestern's community of scholars to pursue their greatest scholarly ambitions.

Provost Erik Luijten

As Northwestern's chief academic officer, Provost Luijten works with deans, directors and administrative units to set academic priorities and policies and coordinate initiatives to support graduate and undergraduate education, faculty appointments and promotion, and space and resource planning. He also has primary responsibility for preparing Northwestern’s annual budget.

Provost Luijten is the Liu-Wang Liming Professor of Materials Science and Engineering. He also holds courtesy appointments in Engineering Sciences and Applied Mathematics, Physics and Astronomy, and Chemistry.

MORE ON PROVOST Luijten

Provost Erik Luijten

For Faculty

The Office of the Provost oversees faculty policies and connects faculty with a wide range of career and work/life resources.

175 Years of Northwestern

Students gather at The Rock in 1902.

A lot has changed over the years at Northwestern, but our academic rigor, bold aspirations and commitment to nurturing a vibrant community have held strong. As the University celebrates 175 years, we observe this milestone with academic lectures, panels and special events. Take a moment to look back on Northwestern’s rich past — and see where we're headed next.

Updates and Announcements

Upcoming Events

Oct
8
2026

Ombuds Day Breakfast Open House

8:30 AM 555 Clark Street
Ombuds Day Breakfast Open House October 8, 2026 from 8:30a.m. - noon 555 Clark, Suite 209 Join us in celebrating the 5t...
Oct
13
2026

Early Career Faculty Pathways Program -- Session 2: Thriving at Northwestern: Building Your Network and Finding Your Community

12:00 PM Deering Library, 1937 Sheridan Road
The Early Career Faculty Pathways Program is a cohort-based professional development program designed to help new and ea...
Oct
23
2026

Advancing Mentoring Excellence: Session #1 Aligning Expectations and Effective Communication

10:00 AM Simpson Querrey Biomedical Research Center, 303 E. Superior Street
Advancing Mentoring Excellence at Northwestern is a series of five core sessions plus elective sessions, offered by the ...

Announcements

Search committee formed to find new Charles Deering McCormick University Librarian

October 7, 2026
from Northwestern Now
Northwestern announced today the formation of a search committee to identify the next Charles Deering McCormick University Librarian. The individual chosen will succeed Xuemao Wang, who will step down at the end of the 2026-27 academic year.

Search committee formed to find new dean of the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences

September 30, 2026
from Northwestern Now
Northwestern announced today the formation of a search committee to identify the next dean of the Judd A. and Marjorie Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences. The individual chosen will succeed Adrian Randolph, who will step down as dean at the end of the 2026-27 academic year.