Michael Schill, the president of Northwestern University, announced on Thursday that he will step down after a three-year tenure marked by campus protests and conflicts with the Trump administration as well as Republican lawmakers.
Reflecting on the progress made during his time, Schill stated, “I think now is the right time for new leadership to guide Northwestern into the next chapter.” He made the resignation decision in consultation with the board’s leadership.
Schill is expected to remain until the university, located near Evanston, Illinois, appoints an interim president. After that, he plans to return to teaching at the Northwestern Pritzker School following a sabbatical.
“To me, the greatest honor is to be a faculty member, and I look forward to continuing to support our students and advocate for higher education,” Schill expressed. He emphasized that education is crucial for American society, stating its importance despite its challenges.
His leadership faced significant pressure during a 2024 hearing where he contended that the university was failing to adequately address anti-Semitism amid protests related to the conflict in Gaza involving the group Hamas. This period also saw calls for his resignation from organizations such as the Prevention and Repeal League.
The university was under scrutiny from the Trump administration, which froze around $790 million in federal funds in April, citing violations of civil rights law.
Northwestern was among several institutions accused of inadequately addressing rising anti-Semitism on campus and for not having effective policies to protect Jewish students.
Schill’s resignation has led to a wave of departures among university presidents, including those from Harvard, the University of Pennsylvania, Columbia, and Cornell, prompted by opposition to extensive Palestinian protests and the scrutiny over increasing anti-Semitism incidents on campuses.
