Initiatives

Explore the ongoing initiatives within the Office of the Provost, which work across the whole University to discover, integrate, connect and engage, and which reflect our commitment to our strategic priorities.

Teaching and Learning

The Office of the Provost facilitates and coordinates efforts across the university to provide an optimal environment in which innovative practices in teaching, pedagogy, and student assessment of learning are encouraged to thrive. 

• Assessment of Student Learning
• Online and Blended Learning
• Undergraduate Education
• University Accreditation
• Reaffirmation of Accreditation, 2024-25 

Leadership

The Office of the Provost is leading efforts to strategically realize the University’s goals for enhancing the undergraduate academic experience, articulating a vision for global engagement, and enhancing the faculty climate and experience throughout their entire lifetime at Northwestern.

• Deans Review Process
• University Resource Planning Process 

Research and Scholarship

Northwestern University is one the world’s leading private research universities. The Office of the Provost coordinates with many offices across the University to facilitate excellence in research for faculty and students.

• Faculty Research Awards
• Nemmers Prizes

Community and Belonging

The Office of the Provost is committed to creating a welcoming environment for the entire Northwestern community so that we are all able to do our best work.

• NASEM Action Collaborative
• Faculty Salary Gender Equity Study  

Past Initiatives

• The Undergraduate Student Lifecycle Committee was charged with developing a strategy and framework to continuously support students who identify solely or jointly across first-generation, low-income (FLGI) and historically underrepresented minority (URM) identities.

• The COVID-19 Research Recovery Grant Program assisted faculty whose research or creative work was markedly delayed, interrupted or otherwise disrupted as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Academic Calendar Advisory Group was charged with advising on the implementation of approved calendar changes and possible additional opportunities to enhance the Academic Calendar. The faculty-led workgroup concluded this work in 2019.
• Provost's Advisory Council on Women Faculty convened from 2016-2020 to identify ways to strengthen our supports for women and women-identified faculty.
• Undergraduate Task Force engaged with faculty and student colleagues, School leadership, and administrative leaders across the University to identify opportunities to enhance and strengthen the undergraduate academic experience of Northwestern students.