Northwestern Names New Head of Student Center

EVANSTON, Ill. --- Northwestern University has named Kelly Schaefer executive director of the Norris University Center.

Schaefer will begin her work at Northwestern Jan. 28. She brings an innovative perspective and focus on the student experience, having managed student centers and worked with key professional associations.

Currently director of campus and conference centers at the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) in Chicago, Schaefer manages more than 225,000 square feet of conference, academic and multipurpose space.  

At IIT she has co-managed the campus dining program, including campus catering. She has increased annual events in the campus and conference centers by 43 percent in five years and has served as on-site manager for a variety of auxiliary contracts. 

Previous to IIT, Schaefer served as assistant director of student centers for DePaul University and director of housing/assistant director of student services at the Illinois Institute of Art.