Northwestern University President Announces Resignation Amid Federal Funding Dispute

EVANSTON, Ill. - Michael H. Schill, the 17th president of Northwestern University, announced his resignation on Thursday, September 4, 2025, as the institution continues to navigate a federal funding freeze imposed by the Trump administration. In a message to the university community, Schill reflected on his three-year tenure, noting both progress and challenges, including campus protests and the Department of Education’s investigation under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act.

“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,” Schill said. He will remain in office until the Board of Trustees appoints an interim president to ensure a smooth transition.

In April 2025, the Trump administration froze $790 million in federal grants to Northwestern, affecting research funding from agencies such as the Department of Defense, Agriculture, and Health and Human Services. Schill pledged to continue collaborating with the Board of Trustees to restore federal support and safeguard the university’s academic mission.

The Board of Trustees has not yet announced a timetable for naming an interim president. Schill’s departure marks a pivotal moment for Northwestern as it seeks to balance financial pressures with its commitment to research, innovation, and campus inclusion. The university community awaits further details on the search for new leadership and ongoing efforts to resolve the funding freeze.