Dr. Lisa Freeman Named 13th President in NIU History

Freeman had been serving as Acting President since July of 2017.

The NIU Alumni Association is pleased with the announcement of Dr. Lisa C. Freeman as the 13th president of Northern Illinois University. Freeman is the first female president in NIU history.
 
After spending the last eight years in various roles at the university, including her term as acting president since July of 2017 and executive vice president and provost from 2014 until 2017, Freeman was appointed by the NIU Board of Trustees as the permanent president of NIU on Thursday (Sept. 20).
 
She will continue to support all aspects of the university’s mission, emphasizing NIU’s continued commitment to promoting the social mobility of our students, producing high-impact scholarships and engaging with our region.
 
Freeman has been especially supportive of the NIU Alumni Association, according to Peter Garrity, ’71, M.B.A. ’76, president of the NIU Alumni Association Board of Directors.
 
“Dr. Freeman understands the importance of our alumni as it relates to the growth and prosperity of NIU. She views the NIUAA as a partner and seeks our input when making strategic decisions,” Garrity said. “She is ready to make tough choices in order to move the university forward, and I am certain that Lisa is the ideal person to lead us.”
 
NIU Alumni Association Executive Director Reggie Bustinza echoed Garrity’s sentiments.
 
“We are thrilled with the decision of the board to choose Dr. Freeman as our permanent president. She has consistently demonstrated that she will travel all over the country to meet our alumni, and that truly resonates with the NIU Alumni Association,” Bustinza said. “She is a forward thinker who has a clear vision for the direction of NIU, and that will only help strengthen the love that our alumni already have for the university.”