Welcome to NLU!

At National Louis University, we firmly believe the transformative power of education should be available to all who seek it, from first-generation students to lifelong learners. The role of the Provost is to provide leadership for all academic activities at NLU, working to ensure an excellent academic experience for our students and to support faculty teaching, engagement with professional communities, and scholarship. We are committed to preparing today’s adult students for success through holistic professional preparation, and to foster opportunities to make a difference in their professions and communities. This commitment is conveyed through our University tagline, Professionals who achieve. People who inspire.

As Provost, my goal is to work closely with the Provost’s Office staff, the leadership of our National College of Education and the College of Professional Studies and Advancement, as well as faculty and administrators of other academic and student support areas to put students first by providing creative, engaged adult learning at the undergraduate and graduate levels. We are focused on discovering opportunities for students to use talents they already possess, to help them develop new ones, and to match these to professional aspirations and leadership roles in their communities.

Community engagement has been central to NLU since our founding nearly 130 years ago. Community engagement is more than the words – it’s the actions we take every day and the opportunities we offer all members of the NLU community.  We’re particularly proud of receiving the Carnegie Community Engagement Classification, bestowed upon organizations that exemplify engagement. NLU has numerous partnerships benefitting our communities, students, faculty and others.

While there is not room here to do justice to the significant community engaged work being done at NLU, below are a few examples:

• Our Academy of Parents in Leadership, conducted in partnership with Chicago Public Schools coaches parents on how to support their children academically, while helping them improve the personal and professional skills needed to take on leadership roles in their schools and community. Parents are awarded college credit for completing the Academy.
• We have partnered with the McCormick Foundation to increase access to educational opportunities with a suite of wraparound services to support success for veterans and military families.
• We are working closely with several Chicago area high schools to help students earn college credit while still in high school, easing their transition to college and making college more affordable for their families.
• A Provost’s Office seed grant program is helping faculty implement research projects that will benefit communities and advance social justice.
• Our McCormick Center for Early Childhood Leadership continues its long history of engagement in projects that improve the lives of infants and toddlers across the U.S.

We respect the diversity of experiences students bring to the classroom as an essential part of the learning environment here at National Louis. In addition, we are committed to helping students achieve 21st century skills, including critical thinking, effective communication, global thinking, technology literacy, collaboration, and innovation.

At NLU, you can find classes that meet in person, online, or a combination of online with relevant, compelling in-person meetings. However you choose to shape your learning path, National Louis can support you on your way to success.

Welcome to NLU. We're so glad that you've joined our community.

Alison Hilsabeck, Ph.D.
Provost