Michael Schill announced his resignation as president of Northwestern University, ending a three-year term that included record fundraising and a rise in national rankings. Schill, who became the university’s 17th president in September 2022, will remain in office until an interim president is appointed and will assist with the transition.
“Over the past three years, it has been my profound honor to serve as president of Northwestern University,” Schill stated in a message to the community. “In that time, our community has made significant progress while simultaneously facing extraordinary challenges. Together, we have made decisions that strengthened the institution and helped safeguard its future.”
Schill cited ongoing issues such as a federal research funding freeze among the challenges faced during his tenure. He explained his decision by saying: “As I reflect on the progress we have made and what lies ahead, I believe now is the right time for new leadership to guide Northwestern into its next chapter. Therefore, I have decided, in consultation with the leadership of the Board of Trustees, that I will step down as President.”
The Board of Trustees is expected to name an interim president soon. Schill will continue working with trustees to restore federal funding for university research before taking a sabbatical and returning as a faculty member at Northwestern Pritzker School of Law.
Board Chair Peter Barris acknowledged Schill’s efforts during challenging times: “The Board of Trustees is enormously grateful to President Schill for his leadership during a period of unparalleled challenges at Northwestern and across higher education,” Barris said. “In spite of many headwinds, President Schill and his administration worked diligently to defend Northwestern’s mission and accomplished lasting achievements that contribute robustly to Northwestern’s continued advancement among the great universities in the United States and around the globe.”
During Schill’s presidency, Northwestern achieved its highest-ever position—No. 6—in U.S. News & World Report national rankings. The university also reported nearly $2.5 billion raised over two fiscal years.
Schill led initiatives aimed at maintaining research funding amid federal freezes and helped launch several academic centers focused on science and technology. These included establishing funds such as the Pat & Shirley Ryan Family Research Acceleration Fund; joining collaborative efforts like Chan Zuckerberg Biohub Chicago; founding institutes including Querrey Simpson Institute for Regenerative Engineering; forming networks such as the National Institute for Theory and Mathematics in Biology; supporting AI-focused groups like NSF-Simons AI Institute for the Sky; and starting projects designed to foster collaboration across disciplines.
He promoted free expression through initiatives like launching Litowitz Center for Enlightened Disagreement and creating advisory committees on institutional speech policies.
Capital projects overseen under his leadership included major renovations (such as Deering Library), construction (Ryan Field), upgrades (Kip and Sara Kirkpatrick Softball Stadium), landscaping (Cohen Lawn project), new facilities (Social Science and Global Affairs Hub), and breaking ground on new buildings uniting Kellogg School programs.
“These achievements reflect the collective brilliance and devotion of many,” said Schill.
Professor Eli Finkel from Northwestern’s Advisory Committee on Free Expression commented: “I’m forever grateful to President Schill for his service to Northwestern…President Schill has demonstrated exceptional grace in exceptional times, and he has been a stalwart defender of the most foundational academic virtues: open inquiry, passionate engagement, and a fierce commitment to the belief that intellectually diverse communities become so much more than the sum of their parts.”
Vicky Kalogera—a physics professor involved with key scientific initiatives—praised advancements under Schill's support: “President Schill’s support and leadership have been vital for Northwestern’s scientific initiatives, like the Giant Magellan Telescope partnership and prioritizing data science and AI research…These efforts help unlock the University’s ability to make groundbreaking advances in science…”
Schill also addressed issues arising from an athletic hazing scandal by implementing new protections for student-athletes. In response to campus unrest following events related to Israel-Gaza conflict beginning October 2023, he oversaw policy updates intended to reduce antisemitism on campus—which reportedly led to fewer incidents being reported.
“It has been my privilege to work alongside extraordinary colleagues…faculty…and students,” concluded Schill.