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| Staff Newsletter | October 2025 |
Dear colleagues,
The academic year is in full swing and it has been a busy fall, including the start of President Emeritus Henry Bienen's term as interim president, the opening of the renovated Deering Library, and the launch of the Litowitz Center for Enlightened Disagreement’s pilot undergraduate program. Just yesterday, we also celebrated a major achievement for Northwestern: Joel Mokyr, the Robert H. Strotz Professor of Arts and Sciences and professor of economics and history, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences.
With so many of us moving in different directions and tackling a range of projects, I am looking forward to reconnecting during the Office of the Provost All-Staff Meeting on Oct. 29. I often find that in uncertain times, being together in one room with my colleagues and remembering that we are working for common goals can feel reassuring and motivating, and I hope you will feel that way, too.
Gathering in one place also offers a great opportunity to learn about what we all do in our various roles. During our all-staff meeting, we will glimpse inside the work of a few of our fellow team members. Michelle Manno will share a presentation about the new Office of Community Enrichment. After that, Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education Karen Smilowitz and Assistant Provost for Undergraduate Education Constance Wright will join me for a conversation about their paths to the Office of the Provost and their vision for Undergraduate Education.
Finally, don’t forget to stick around for Coffee With Colleagues. See you there!
Sincerely,
Kathleen Hagerty |
All about the staff |
Meet Jo Berry Jo Berry joined the Office of the Provost in January 2024 as the Program Coordinator for Undergraduate Education. In her role, she facilitates the design and development of program databases, compiles and analyzes data to generate insightful reports and oversees scheduling.
How did you come to work in higher education and in your current role? As an undergrad at Bradley University, I studied sociology, which gave me a strong foundation for understanding people, organizations and social systems. While there, I had various internships in student affairs that allowed me to apply what I was learning to real settings and gain hands-on experience supporting students and programs. From there, I went straight to graduate school to get my master's degree in Urban Higher Education.
What do you most enjoy about your job and working for Northwestern? I am an Evanstonian through and through, so I love being in my hometown and working for an institution that has been in my backyard my whole life. What I enjoy most about my job is the opportunity to make a tangible impact on students’ educational experiences. I like being in a role where I can connect people, resources and ideas to help students succeed, while also learning from colleagues across the institution.
What is something fun or interesting about you that people may not know? I am going into my second season as an Assistant Coach for the Northwestern Cheer Team.
Staff who started new roles in August and September
Block Museum
Financial Aid
Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps
Office of the Provost
University Registrar
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News, notes and need to know |
Updates from Human Resources
New workshops through the Office of Community of Enrichment The Practice of Showing Up is a virtual, three-part workshop series offered each quarter by the Office of Community Enrichment. Designed as a sequence but open to drop-in participation, these sessions invite reflection, conversation and skill-building around the emotional and interpersonal dimensions of living in community. Each 90-minute workshop is interactive, practical and reflective—supporting both personal insight and collective responsibility. See workshop descriptions and register.
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