DeKALB — NIU President Lisa Freeman is set to retire on June 30, 2028, after nearly a decade as the university’s chief executive. Freeman announced her intentions Thursday morning during a Board of Trustees meeting after the board unanimously approved a one-year extension of her contract through the 2027-28 school year.
“My communicating this decision well in advance will support thoughtful succession planning, but more important than that, it will allow our important parts to continue to move forward with minimal disruption,” Freeman said. “I am very proud of what our university has accomplished by working together to achieve ambitious goals, and I’m also well aware of the work ahead that will require our continued focus, innovation and dedication.”
Freeman will maintain her base salary of $515,000 in each of her final two contract years. During the discussion phase regarding Freeman’s contract extension, the trustees highlighted the importance of consistency in university leadership.
“Leadership matters, and in President Freeman, NIU has a visionary, proven and accomplished leader,” board chairman Montel Gayles said. “By extending her existing contract, the university continues to make great progress on achieving its annual and long-term goals.”
Freeman became NIU’s acting president in July 2017 following the sudden departure of Doug Baker. She was later appointed the school’s non-acting 13th president in September 2018, making her the first woman to hold the position at NIU. Freeman joined the university in July 2010 as the vice president for research and graduate studies before moving to her roles as executive vice president and provost.
“Serving as the president of Northern Illinois University is an incredible honor,” Freeman said. “Ever since I joined NIU in 2010, even before becoming president, I have worked diligently to position the university for long-term success, and I’ve done that because I believe strongly in our public mission and in the transformative power of higher education.”
Earlier in Thursday’s meeting, the trustees approved the naming of the road on the west side of Huskie Stadium after NIU quarterback and College Football Hall of Famer George Bork. The road will be named George Bork Way.
The BOT also OK’ed the 2026-27 student health insurance plan, which will see the semester premium rise 3% from $1,378 to $1,419.50, and the sale of the William R. Monat Building at 148 N. 3rd St. to the City of DeKalb, among other items.
The next meeting of the trustees is scheduled for 9 a.m. June 4 in Altgeld Hall, Room 315.
