Lead
On Sept. 4, 2025, Northwestern University President Michael Schill, the institution’s 17th president, announced he will step down after three years in office. The Board of Trustees will appoint an interim president soon; Schill will remain in place until that appointment, take a sabbatical, and then return to teach and conduct research at Northwestern Pritzker School of Law.
Key Takeaways
- Michael Schill announced his resignation on Sept. 4, 2025, after three years as Northwestern’s president.
- The Board of Trustees will name an interim president; Schill will stay until the transition is complete.
- Schill led Northwestern to a No. 6 U.S. News & World Report ranking and helped raise nearly $2.5 billion during his tenure.
- He navigated a federal research funding freeze and supported creation of major research centers and capital projects.
- Schill guided policy responses to campus unrest after Oct. 7, 2023, and addressed a hazing scandal with new student-athlete protections.
- After a sabbatical, Schill plans to return as a faculty member at Northwestern Pritzker School of Law.
Verified Facts
Schill was named Northwestern’s 17th president in August 2022 and began his presidency in September 2022. His announcement on Sept. 4, 2025, was shared in a campus message and followed consultation with Board leadership. The Board said it will name an interim president in the coming weeks; no start date for the interim has been announced.
Under Schill’s administration, Northwestern rose to No. 6 in the U.S. News & World Report national rankings, the highest in the University’s history. Fundraising under his leadership included the second- and third-highest years on record in Fiscal Years 2024 and 2025, and the University raised nearly $2.5 billion overall during his tenure.
Schill directed university efforts during a federal research funding freeze to protect critical research activity. He supported the launch or expansion of several initiatives and centers, including the Pat & Shirley Ryan Family Research Acceleration Fund, Chan Zuckerberg Biohub Chicago, the Querrey Simpson Institute for Regenerative Engineering, the National Institute for Theory and Mathematics in Biology, the Northwestern Network for Collaborative Intelligence, and the NSF–Simons AI Institute for the Sky.
He also oversaw multiple campus capital projects: the Social Science and Global Affairs Hub, the restoration of Deering Library, the new Ryan Field, the Kip and Sara Kirkpatrick Softball Stadium, the Cohen Lawn project, and the Kellogg School of Management building groundbreaking. The University reported progress on these facilities while advancing science, data and AI priorities.
Context & Impact
Schill’s departure comes amid a period of intense pressures on higher education, including federal research funding challenges and heightened campus tensions. Northwestern’s recent ranking rise and fundraising performance are likely to shape the Board’s search for new leadership with expertise in research strategy and development.
The interim appointment will be important for continuity, particularly for ongoing efforts to restore federal research funds and to complete major capital projects. Schill has said he will work with the Board on funding restoration during the transition.
Campus stakeholders have emphasized both institutional achievements and the need for steady governance. Faculty leaders praised Schill’s defense of academic inquiry and his support for scientific initiatives that position Northwestern for long-term research gains.
Official Statements
‘In consultation with the leadership of the Board of Trustees, I have decided that I will step down as President,’ Schill wrote in his message to the community, adding that new leadership is needed to guide Northwestern into its next chapter.
Michael Schill, President, Northwestern University
‘The Board of Trustees is enormously grateful to President Schill for his leadership during a period of unparalleled challenges,’ said Board Chair Peter Barris, noting Schill’s role in defending Northwestern’s mission and advancing the University.
Peter Barris, Chair, Northwestern Board of Trustees
Unconfirmed
- Exact start date and identity of the interim president (to be named by the Board of Trustees).
- Specific timeline for restoring the University’s frozen federal research funding.
- Length and precise timing of Schill’s planned sabbatical before returning to faculty duties.
Bottom Line
Michael Schill’s resignation marks the end of a three-year presidency characterized by rising national rankings, significant fundraising, and investments in research and facilities. The Board’s interim appointment and subsequent search will determine how Northwestern builds on recent gains while addressing unresolved challenges like federal funding and campus climate.