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EVANSTON, Ill. (WGN) — After only three years on the job, the president of Northwestern University is stepping down, saying its time for new leadership.
The rocky tenure of Michael Schill, tasked to lead one of the nation’s top universities, and his exit have students who were looking forward to the start of the new academic year reacting to the major shake-up among leadership.
“To be honest, I am not super surprised,” said junior Benjamin Barrish. “I think he was dealt a very tough hand with all the turmoil going on both internally and externally at Northwestern the past three years.”
Incoming freshman Natalia Shirasaki-Krahn voiced her concerns about Schill’s departure to WGN-TV.
“It makes me nervous for the next four years, especially since we haven’t started school yet,” she said.
“I don’t really know what to expect,” added incoming freshman Camille Wright.
On Thursday, Schill announced his resignation as the university deals with an ongoing federal funding freeze by the Trump Administration and heated criticism from House Republicans over the university’s response to campus protests in 2024.
Schill testified before the House Committee on Education and Workforce last year.
President since 2022, Schill has withstood challenges over his three-year tenure that include fallout from a hazing scandal in the university’s athletics department. Schill also led the university during a wave of pro-Palestinian protests on college campuses. Northwestern is one of several colleges under investigation over allegations that they did not do enough to protect Jewish students during the 2024 protests, as reported by WGN-TV.
The Trump administration has frozen around $790 million in funding for the school.
In August of 2025, Schill once again answered questions in a closed-door hearing with the House Committee on Education and Workforce over his handling of allegations of antisemitism on campus.
In a statement announcing his resignation, Schill said now is the right time for new leadership, while also acknowledging pressures from the White House.
“I also recognize that difficult problems remain, particularly at the federal level. It is critical that we continue to protect the university’s research mission and excellence while preserving academic freedom, integrity, and independence.”
Northwestern University President Michael Schill
Schill will remain president until an interim president is in place. He says after a sabbatical, he will return to the Northwestern Pritzker School of Law to teach and conduct research.
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Angelica Sanchez
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