Office of the Provost announces new appointments

Two current members of the Northwestern community are joining the Office of the Provost in strategic roles, the University announced. 

Sumit Dhar

Sumit Dhar, currently associate dean for research and professor at the School of Communication, will become associate provost for faculty, effective Feb. 1.

Dhar will work to implement several University priorities that support faculty careers and well-being while strengthening faculty diversity through intentional recruitment, hiring and retention practices. These efforts, which will be coordinated with University leaders, include the promotion of innovation in research as well as recognition of all forms of faculty contributions and leadership.

At the School of Communication, Dhar has held various roles, serving as associate chair and chair of the Roxelyn and Richard Pepper Department of Communication Sciences & Disorders.

Roma Khanna

Roma Khanna joined the provost’s office as associate provost for strategy and policy on Nov. 23. She had served previously as senior director in the Office of Organizational Strategy and Change where she partnered with schools and units across Northwestern, facilitating organizational change projects to improve strategy, operations and organizational processes.

In her new role, Khanna provides counsel, as well as strategic and tactical support, to the provost and vice provost for administration on key strategic priorities and initiatives. 

She oversees development and approval of University policy and manages University accreditation, state authorization and new degree program processes and approvals. And she also oversees University-level leadership searches.