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| Staff Newsletter | September 2024 |
Dear colleagues,
In the August edition of the Office of the Provost staff newsletter, Provost Hagerty and I asked you to complete a survey to help us assess last year's professional development programming and to gather information about your professional goals and needs for the academic year. Thank you to those who participated! Your responses are so helpful. I'd like to share some of what we learned:
As we consider future programming, we are going to keep these valuable insights in mind. Please also know that even if you did not have a chance to fill out the survey, you are always welcome to email us suggestions at officeoftheprovost@northwestern.edu.
I look forward to seeing all of you at our Fall Quarter Office of the Provost all-staff meeting, which will take place from 9-10 a.m. on Oct. 2 in McCormick Auditorium in the Norris University Center. Coffee With Colleagues will directly follow in the Wildcat Room.
Sincerely,
Jake Julia |
All about the staff |
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Meet Eric (and Xander) Watson
Eric Watson joined the Office of the Provost in May 2024 as Assistant Provost for Administration and Finance. He coordinates finance, budget planning and human resources for the Office of the Provost and 30 reporting units. His role includes overseeing budgeting and forecasting, coordinating business continuity for the reporting units, and addressing issues of compliance with University requirements and policies.
What career path led you to your role and to your current pursuit of an MBA at Kellogg?
My career in accounting began with an interest in business, numbers and problem-solving. I’ve always loved puzzles and discovering how all the pieces come together to form the bigger picture. Accounting helped me build a strong foundation in financial literacy, critical thinking and analytical skills while allowing me to see how all the “pieces” of a business come together. An MBA was a natural next step for me because it provided the opportunity to broaden my business knowledge, develop leadership skills and expand my network. During undergrad, we were mostly learning the rules, but working toward my Kellogg MBA has helped bridge the gap between theory and practice.
What attracted you to academia and what do you like about working for the Office of the Provost?
I enjoy the cyclical nature of the school year and the energy that comes with it. Every year the campus comes to life in the fall with the excitement of the students returning. That’s something you don’t see in industry. You press from one project to the next, but when you’re on campus you can’t help but feel re-energized. A major draw to the Office of the Provost is the chance to shape policy and initiatives that directly impact the University’s mission. This office offers a blend of administrative leadership and the opportunity to engage with faculty and students.
What is a fun fact about you?
I started my first business at age 9! Two friends and I wanted to make some money to spend over the summer, so we started a landscaping business. We had no idea what we were doing but made flyers and put them up all over town. We completed mainly yard work and maintenance — and demand was high — but as sports were more fun than chores, we ended up stopping after a couple months.
Staff who started roles in August
Block Museum
Financial Aid Chicago
Global Learning Office
International Student and Scholar Services
University Enrollment Analytics
University Registrar
Staff in the News Sarah Klaper, Northwestern ombudsperson and president of the International Ombuds Association, was quoted in an article in U.S. News and World Report called "What Students Should Know About College Ombuds." |
News, notes and need to know |
Community Support for Anniversary of Oct. 7 In recognition that many in our community are and will be navigating deep and complex emotions and experiences on the anniversary of Oct. 7, 2023, the Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion will offer various forms of support.
Buffett Friday Lunches Buffett Institute will host a new faculty research lunchtime talk series on the first Friday of every month. Faculty members will give a half-hour talk intended for a broad, multidisciplinary audience of Northwestern students, faculty and staff followed by a conversational Q&A. Lunch will be provided. All talks will take place at the Buffett Institute's new home base on campus, 720 University Place, at 12:30 p.m. Explore the lineup and register. Buffett also hosts an array of terrific events and speakers over the course of year. Check the events calendar for details.
Chicago Humanities' Northwestern Day On Oct. 26, several faculty members will be part of Chicago Humanities' Northwestern Day. Wendy Pearlman will speak on the Syrian diaspora. Maayan Hilel will speak on the interconnected cultures of Jewish-Zionist and Palestinian-Arab societies before 1948. Rebecca Makkai will be in conversation with author John Green. Natasha Trethewey will give a talk on her newest book, “The House of Being.” And Spencer Parsons will be in conversation with film director Barry Sonnenfeld.
Your Health Human Resources is partnering with CVS to provide on-campus flu and COVID shots Oct.22-Nov. 4. The registration process will be new this year and health insurance information will need to be entered when scheduling your appointment. Learn more.
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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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