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Northwestern Office of the Provost

Staff Newsletter | December 2022

 

Dear colleagues,

 

In a few days, most of Northwestern will power down for Winter Recess. While many of us will use this time to rest and recharge with our family and friends, I want to acknowledge those staff whose roles require them to continue working or to remain on call to serve our students, faculty and staff. Thank you.

 

The new year serves as a natural marker for progress and assessment, and I hope you can take time to think about your personal and professional successes in 2022 and what you hope to accomplish in 2023. As provost, I look forward to the University's continued growth and academic enhancement under the leadership of President Michael Schill. As he said during his visit to our all-staff meeting in October, each of us serves a critical role in furthering these efforts.

 

As we close the year with this newsletter, I am delighted to welcome talented new staff to the team, celebrate well-deserved honors and share news from across the University. I look forward to seeing you again in the new year.

 

Sincerely,

 

Kathleen Hagerty
Provost and Professor

Awards and recognition

 

Art and film honors

 

The Chicago Tribune named the Block Museum of Art's most recent exhibition, "Taking Shape: Abstraction from the Arab World, 1950s – 1980s," among the best in Chicago for 2022. Additionally, The Block's Michael Metzger and Malia Haines-Stewart and Vice President and Associate Provost for Diversity and Inclusion Robin R. Means Coleman have been named to New City Magazine's list of the 50 most influential professionals in Chicago’s film and media community.

 

kayla.jpg

 

ANUW Leadership Award

 

The Association of Northwestern University Women has honored Faculty Project Coordinator Kayla Atkins with a Leadership Award. The award aims to honor ANUW members who have made contributions to women's leadership through service, including the ANUW board or committees, mentoring programs or community organizations. Atkins currently serves as ANUW's membership co-chair and previously served as the programming co-chair.

All about the staff

 

Carrie Thomas smiles into the camera.

 

Meet Carrie Thomas

 

This month’s featured colleague is Carrie Thomas, program coordinator in the Office of the Ombudsperson. She is currently working toward earning a certificate in Organizational Leadership through the School of Professional Studies. Carrie has worked at Northwestern since 2021. Before working in the Office of the Ombudsperson, she assisted with campus safety initiatives within the Office of Risk Management.

 

What do you enjoy about working in the Office of the Ombudsperson?

I enjoy providing support to people when they most need it and connecting with students, faculty and staff across units.

 

What is your most memorable experience at Northwestern?

Collaborating with fellow  Black Professionals Network (BPN) members to host a Juneteenth event at The Black House. It was an honorable celebration, and I look forward to assisting with planning again next year.

 

Can you share a personal fun fact about yourself?

I started skateboarding a couple of years ago, and it’s what I spend most of my time doing outside of work. Skateboarding has taught me to be brave in spaces that aren’t consistently accepting of BIPOC women and to be patient with myself while learning. I carry these lessons with me into my professional life.

 

Brag about your teammates! We feature one staff member in each newsletter. Nominate someone by emailing the Office of the Provost and telling us, in a sentence or two, how your colleague contributes to Northwestern’s mission and why everyone in the Office of the Provost should get to know them.

 

New staff arrivals

 

ASLA

  • Dara Brown, Administrative Assistant

The Block Museum

  • Tristen Ives, Film/Video/Audio Technician
  • Liz Rudnick, Assistant Registrar

Buffett Institute for Global Affairs

  • Eric Burke, Financial Assistant
  • Susanne Hall, Executive Assistant

The Garage

  • Juliette McLean, Administrative Assistant

Health Professions Advising

  • Phil LeBlanc, Academic Advisor

Office of the Provost

  • Leslie Kirchler-Owen, Director for Academic Facilities Planning

Undergraduate Admission

  • Yaneth Bello, Associate Director of Admissions

University Registrar

  • Daniel Rodriguez, Academic and Immunization Records Assistant

 

Introducing PerkSpot! 

 

Northwestern has partnered with PerkSpot to offer faculty and staff and their family members discounts from 900+ merchants nationwide. By registering with PerkSpot, you can access these discounts and exclusive offers on a wide range of goods and services.

News and notes

 

Michael Fitzpatrick smiles into the camera while standing in front of a Northwestern University sign.

 

Office of FGLI Initiatives

 

Northwestern has established the Office of FGLI Initiatives to facilitate campus collaboration on strategies and policies that better support the University’s growing population of first-generation and low-income students. Housed within the Office of the Provost and led by Michael Fitzpatrick, the Office of FGLI Initiatives has two primary goals: Promote the success of FGLI students and provide a more equitable experience both in and out of the classroom.

 

Five students in military uniforms stand at attention during a Veterans Day service.

 

Veterans Day ceremony

 

The NROTC Chicago Area Consortium conducted its annual Veterans Day Wreath Laying Ceremony at Memorial Rock on Nov. 11 to honor past and present military veterans. The Battalion Color Guard presented the colors, followed by the playing of the national anthem. Capt. Robert Klaszky, commanding officer and professor of naval science, made a few remarks about the history and importance of Veterans Day before the wreath was laid by Midshipman 2/C Zack Nkadi, a Computer Science student at Northwestern. The names on the Gold Star Honor Roll listed on Memorial Rock were read aloud, followed by a moment of silence with the playing of "Taps" by the bugler.

 

In case you missed it

Mark your calendar

 

Key dates

  • Dec. 23-Jan. 2: Winter Recess (University closed)
  • Jan. 3: Winter Quarter classes begin
  • Jan. 9: Spring Semester classes begin
  • Jan. 16: Martin Luther King Jr. Day (University closed)
  • Feb. 15, 9 a.m.: Office of the Provost all-staff meeting 

More resources

 

Help us build future newsletters! If your unit is working on a project that is relevant to the entire Office of the Provost, or if you have awards, honors or accomplishments to share, send an email to officeoftheprovost@northwestern.edu.

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