Search committee formed to find new dean of the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences

Northwestern University announced today the formation of a search committee to identify the next dean of the Judd A. and Marjorie Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences. The individual chosen will succeed Adrian Randolph, who will step down as dean at the end of the 2026-27 academic year.

Provost Erik Luijten will charge the search committee, which includes faculty, students, staff and a member of the Weinberg Board of Visitors, to undertake the search to identify a slate of candidates. Catherine Woolley, William Deering Professor of Biological Sciences in the Department of Neurobiology, will chair the search. Isaacson, Miller has been retained to assist the committee.

Committee members

• George-Marios Angeletos, Stanley J. Gradowski Jr. Professor of Behavioral Macroeconomics, Department of Economics 
• Jesús Escobar, Charles E. and Emma H. Morrison Professor in the Humanities, Department of Art History 
• Franz M. Geiger, Charles E. and Emma H. Morrison Professor of Chemistry; Associate Chair and Director of Graduate Studies, Department of Chemistry 
• E. Patrick Johnson, Dean, School of Communication; Annenberg University Professor 
• Sylvester A. Johnson, Leon Forrest Professor and Chair, Department of Black Studies 
• Bryna Kra, Sarah Rebecca Roland Professor of Mathematics, Department of Mathematics 
• Jennifer Leischner Litowitz, Partner and Director of Hospitality Strategy and Design, QStar Capital; Weinberg Board of Visitors member; University Trustee; Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences graduate  
• Robin Nusslock, Julie and Frank Cohen Family Professor of Social Sciences Department of Psychology  
• Susan Phillips, Professor, Department of English 
• Amy Post, Associate Dean of Finance and Business Operations 
• Elena González Prieto, PhD Candidate in Astronomy; Presidential Fellow 
• Amy C. Rosenzweig, Weinberg Family Distinguished Professor of Life Sciences, Professor and Chair, Department of Molecular Biosciences; Professor, Department of Chemistry 
• Evan Shaman, Weinberg undergraduate student, class of 2027
• Amy Stanley, Orrington Lunt Professor of History, Department of History; Director, Nicholas D. Chabraja Center for Historical Studies
• Nyree Zerega, Professor of Instruction and Director, Program in Plant Biology and Conservation

The committee will begin its work immediately and will engage the Weinberg community to obtain input on the desired attributes and experience of the dean, understand the community’s needs and aspirations, and collect nominations of potential candidates for the role. Members of the University community are invited to share feedback, submit questions and recommend candidates by contacting the search committee at WeinbergDeanSearch@northwestern.edu.

The committee will be staffed by Office of the Provost staff Lauren Bauschard, Director for Strategic Initiatives; Lorraine Cassis, Program Manager; Roma Khanna, Associate Provost for Strategy and Policy; and Mearah Quinn-Brauner, Assistant Provost for Strategy and Policy.