Thu Sep 04 20:10:00 UTC 2025: **FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
**Northwestern University President Resigns Amid Federal Funding Freeze**
**Evanston, IL –** Northwestern University President Michael Schill announced his resignation on Thursday, citing “serious and often painful challenges,” including a crippling funding freeze imposed by the Trump administration. The announcement comes after months of escalating tensions between the university and the federal government, and amid a wave of similar leadership changes at other elite institutions battling the administration’s policies.
Schill, who assumed the presidency in September 2022, stated in a message to the campus community, “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. Therefore, I have decided, in consultation with the leadership of the Board of Trustees, that I will step down as President.”
The university is currently grappling with a $790 million funding freeze, a move initiated by the Trump administration approximately four months ago. The White House claims the freeze is connected to Title VI investigations regarding potential discrimination, particularly in relation to diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, and handling of pro-Palestinian protests.
House Republican Leadership Chairwoman Elise Stefanik applauded Schill’s departure, stating it was “long overdue,” citing his handling of antisemitism on campus. Northwestern maintains it has taken steps to address these concerns, reporting a “dramatic decrease” in reported incidents following policy updates.
The funding freeze has jeopardized critical research projects at Northwestern, including the development of the world’s smallest pacemaker and Alzheimer’s research. The university has argued that these federal funds are vital for “innovative and life-saving research.”
The resignation comes a day after Harvard University secured a legal victory against the Trump administration, restoring over $2 billion in frozen research funding. Schill had been actively working to restore Northwestern’s funding and will continue to collaborate with the Board of Trustees.
A White House spokesperson commented, “The Trump Administration looks forward to working with the new leadership, and we hope they seize this opportunity to Make Northwestern Great Again.”
An interim president has yet to be named, and Schill will remain in his role until a successor is selected. He intends to return to the Northwestern Pritzker School of Law as a faculty member following a sabbatical.
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