Earning a four year baccalaureate degree at an affordable price, as well as a graduate degree, and in a world class city may seem to some an impossible task, but in Chicago, that was proved possible under the helm of Northeastern Illinois University President Sharon Hahs who announced,on Wednesday, her plans to retire, on September 30, after nearly a decade at the helm.
In a statement released by the University, it was noted that “Since she assumed the role as NEIU President in 2007, Hahs has led transformative endeavors that expanded the University both academically and physically. At her departure she will have prepared Northeastern for the 10-year reaffirmation of accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission and the public launch of Transforming Lives, the University’s first comprehensive fundraising campaign.”
Located on the city’s North Side, the University has served a diverse body of students, including many adult learners who have taken their training to serve in various professional capacities in metropolitan Chicago. Northeastern Illinois University is a fully accredited public university serving approximately 10,000 full- and part-time undergraduate and graduate students at five locations in the Chicago metropolitan area. It is a dynamic university with remarkable diversity, excellent faculty, high-quality academic programs, and a proven track record of career preparation.
Since she assumed the role as NEIU President in 2007, Hahs “has led transformative endeavors that expanded the University both academically and physically. At her departure she will have prepared Northeastern for the 10-year reaffirmation of accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission and the public launch of Transforming Lives, the University’s first comprehensive fundraising campaign.”
Showing her commitment to the school, and “having served in public higher education for 42 years, Hahs delayed her retirement plans due to the state budget crisis.” She noted that with the passage of the recent stopgap budget, passed by the Illinois legislature,and signed by Gov. Bruce Rauner, the University is stable, resilient, and has strong leadership in place for the next phase of Northeastern’s Strategic Plan,” and this was a good time for the transition.
“It has been deeply gratifying to lead the University in these challenging times,” she said. “My entire career in public higher education prepared me for this role; it has been my honor and joy to work with committed and talented faculty and staff, serving bright and hard-working students, helping them to meet their professional and personal goals. I am also grateful for the enduring commitment of alumni and friends.”
Hahs will recommend to the Board of Trustees that Provost Richard Helldobler serve as Interim President, postponing a national search for president until Illinois has at least one full regular budget cycle. The Board is expected to hold a special meeting to address this in the next two or three weeks.
In its statement, the University noted that “During her decade as President, Hahs oversaw the construction of the University’s new El Centro location—an award-winning, highly visible building along the Kennedy Expressway. She not only paved the way for Northeastern to open its first residence hall this fall, but she built a strong reputation for Northeastern that reflects its quality programs and the success of its graduates. During her tenure, Northeastern has had some of its largest graduating classes; in fact, more than 17,000 degrees have been conferred.”
Hahs also Bolstered the reputation and profile of the institution, earning it distinctions such as Newsweek’s 6th Best Investment, U.S. News & World Report’s Least Debt upon graduation and Top 100 schools for graduating ethnically diverse students (Diverse: Issues in Higher Education).
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