Michael Schill announced today that he will step down from the presidency of Northwestern University, concluding a three-year tenure that saw continued ascension across the University’s three campuses, record fundraising and a steady rise in national rankings of the best universities in the country.

“Over the past three years, it has been my profound honor to serve as president of Northwestern University,” Schill said in a message to the community a short time ago. “In that time, our community has made significant progress while simultaneously facing extraordinary challenges. Together, we have made decisions that strengthened the institution and helped safeguard its future.”

He also acknowledged myriad challenges, including an ongoing federal research funding freeze and other issues.

“As I reflect on the progress we have made and what lies ahead, I believe now is the right time for new leadership to guide Northwestern into its next chapter,” Schill said in his message. “Therefore, I have decided, in consultation with the leadership of the Board of Trustees, that I will step down as President.”

The Board of Trustees will name an interim president soon. Schill will continue in his role until the interim president starts and will work until then to assure a smooth transition. He also will continue to work with the Board of Trustees on efforts to get the University’s frozen federal funding restored. After stepping down, Schill will take a sabbatical from the University, then return to teach and conduct research as a faculty member at Northwestern Pritzker School of Law.

Board of Trustees Chair Peter Barris praised Schill for his leadership and devotion to Northwestern through turbulent times.

“The Board of Trustees is enormously grateful to President Schill for his leadership during a period of unparalleled challenges at Northwestern and across higher education,” said Barris. “In spite of many headwinds, President Schill and his administration worked diligently to defend Northwestern’s mission and accomplished lasting achievements that contribute robustly to Northwestern’s continued advancement among the great universities in the United States and around the globe.”

Schill was named Northwestern’s 17th president in August 2022 and took over the position that September.

Under Schill’s leadership, Northwestern climbed to No. 6 in the U.S. News & World Report national rankings, the highest ranking in the University’s history. He also oversaw the second- and third-highest fundraising years on record in Fiscal Years 2024 and 2025. During his tenure, the University raised nearly $2.5 billion overall.

Among his other accomplishments, President Schill:

• Led efforts to ensure the continuation of funding for critical research during a federal funding freeze;
• Helped establish academic and research centers, positioning the University as a leader in the sciences, including the Pat & Shirley Ryan Family Research Acceleration Fund, the Chan Zuckerberg Biohub Chicago, the Querrey Simpson Institute for Regenerative Engineering, the National Institute for Theory and Mathematics in Biology, the Northwestern Network for Collaborative Intelligence, and the NSF-Simons AI Institute for the Sky;
• Promoted free expression and engagement across difference, including the launch of the Litowitz Center for Enlightened Disagreement and the establishment of the President’s Advisory Committee on Free Expression and Institutional Speech, which submitted a Statement on Free Expression and Institutional Speech;
• Oversaw major capital projects, including the Social Science and Global Affairs Hub, the restoration of Deering Library, the new Ryan Field, the Kip and Sara Kirkpatrick Softball Stadium, the Cohen Lawn project, and the groundbreaking for a new building to unite the Kellogg School of Management’s many degree and executive programs.

“These achievements reflect the collective brilliance and devotion of many,” President Schill said in his message to the community.

“I’m forever grateful to President Schill for his service to Northwestern,” said Professor Eli Finkel, who served on the President’s Advisory Committee on Free Expression and Institutional Speech, and co-directs the Litowitz Center for Enlightened Disagreement.

“President Schill has demonstrated exceptional grace in exceptional times, and he has been a stalwart defender of the most foundational academic virtues: open inquiry, passionate engagement, and a fierce commitment to the belief that intellectually diverse communities become so much more than the sum of their parts.”

“President Schill’s support and leadership have been vital for Northwestern’s scientific initiatives, like the Giant Magellan Telescope partnership and prioritizing data science and AI research and education for the University,” said Vicky Kalogera, professor of physics and astronomy and a key scientific leader in Northwestern’s Giant Magellan Telescope initiative.

“These efforts help unlock the University’s ability to make groundbreaking advances in science and engineering, now and for years to come,” said Kalogera, who also serves as director of the Center for Interdisciplinary Exploration and Research in Astrophysics, and of the newly established SkAI Institute, the NSF-Simons National AI Institute for the Sky.

Schill also guided the University through a hazing scandal that began before his tenure but came to light shortly after he arrived on campus. In response, the University instituted new rules and practices to protect student-athletes.

He also dealt with unrest on campus after the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel and Israel’s response. In the months after the attack, the University updated its policies to curb antisemitism on its campuses, resulting in a dramatic decrease in the number of reported incidents.

“It has been my privilege to work alongside extraordinary colleagues and to witness firsthand the resilience, generosity and strength of the Northwestern community,” Schill said. “I would like to thank my extraordinary administrative team who work tirelessly to further the interests of the University, our deans and academic leadership who promote the highest ideals of academic excellence, the faculty and staff who make Northwestern one of the greatest academic institutions in the world, and the many board members, alumni and donors who care so much about our University. And lastly, I appreciate our students, who I am confident will go on to change the world for the better.”

We’re back, baby.

It’s Florio vs. Simms. Picking every game. Straight up and against the spread.

Here they are, starting with the first game of the season, to be played tonight in Philadelphia. As the Eagles, unbeknownst to coach Nick Sirianni, hang their second banner.

And this season will get off to a bang. We disagree on seven picks, with Simms picking seven underdogs to win, straight up.

Cowboys at Eagles

Will the Cowboys rally following the Micah Parsons trade and throw a wrench in Philly’s big night? Much of it comes down to the ability of new coach Brian Schottenheimer to push their buttons in a way that allows them to outscore a better team.

Florio’s pick: Eagles 30, Cowboys 17.

Simms’s pick: Eagles 27, Cowboys 20.

Chiefs at Chargers

Is the Chiefs’ window closing? The Chargers get the first crack at commencing the process of closing it. It won’t be easy.

Florio’s pick: Chiefs 21, Chargers 17.

Simms’s pick: Chiefs 28, Chargers 24.

Buccaneers at Falcons

The Falcons swept the Bucs last year, in a couple of barnburners. The chronically underrated Bucs are well aware of that fact.

Florio’s pick: Buccaneers 30, Falcons 24.

Simms’s pick: Falcons 23, Buccaneers 20.

Bengals at Browns

The Bengals break free from their early-season struggles, against a rival who is poised to struggle all year long.

Florio’s pick: Bengals 31, Browns 17.

Simms’s pick: Bengals 27, Browns 24.

Dolphins at Colts

It will be an emotional day in Indy, with the first regular-season game following the passing of owner Jim Irsay. That could be the difference for Daniel Jones and his new team.

Florio’s pick: Colts 23, Dolphins 20.

Simms’s pick: Dolphins 24, Colts 21.

Panthers at Jaguars

It’s a battle of recently former Buccaneers’ offensive coordinators. The home team gets the edge.

Florio’s pick: Jaguars 24, Panthers 20.

Simms’s pick: Jaguars 28, Panthers 20.

Raiders at Patriots

A Raiders owner has a statue outside Gillette Stadium. The Raiders could use him on the inside of the stadium against an improving Pats team.

Florio’s pick: Patriots 23, Raiders 17.

Simms’s pick: Patriots 23, Raiders 17.

Cardinals at Saints

Both teams are a work in progress. The visitors have made more progress, so far.

Florio’s pick: Cardinals 21, Saints 17.

Simms’s pick: Cardinals 24, Saints 20.

Steelers at Jets

The Steelers didn’t make several all-in moves to lose out of the gates to an inferior roster.

Florio’s pick: Steelers 24, Jets 10.

Simms’s pick: Steelers 20, Jets 16.

Giants at Commanders

The Commanders have expectations, for the first time in a long time.

Florio’s pick: Commanders 27, Giants 17.

Simms’s pick: Giants 21, Commanders 17.

Titans at Broncos

It’s a tough draw for Cam Ward and company, because the Broncos could be forcing their way into the Super Bowl window.

Florio’s pick: Broncos 28, Titans 20.

Simms’s pick: Broncos 28, Titans 17.

49ers at Seahawks

As Christian McCaffrey goes, so go the 49ers.

Florio’s pick: 49ers 27, Seahawks 20.

Simms’s pick: Seahawks 23, 49ers 20.

Lions at Packers

The trade for Micah Parsons could give the rest of the Packers a lift. The front office sees them as a potentially elite team. They get a chance right away to prove it — and to end a three-game home losing streak to Detroit.

Florio’s pick: Packers 24, Lions 20.

Simms’s pick: Lions 28, Packers 27.

Texans at Rams

Matthew Stafford is healthy, for now. The Rams have a Super Bowl glow. The Texans, during their recent resurgence, don’t have many impressive road wins against great teams.

Florio’s pick: Rams 24, Texans 20.

Simms’s pick: Texans 24, Rams 20.

Ravens at Bills

Lamar Jackson in regular-season prime-time games is virtually unstoppable.

Florio’s pick: Ravens 30, Bills 27.

Simms’s pick: Ravens 30, Bills 21.

Vikings at Bears

Can Ben Johnson make an immediate difference for the Bears?

Florio’s pick: Vikings 24, Bears 20.

Simms’s pick: Bears 23, Vikings 20.

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron said Thursday that 26 of Ukraine’s allies have pledged to deploy troops as a “reassurance force” for the war-torn country once fighting ends in the conflict with Russia.

Macron spoke after a meeting in Paris of the so-called “coalition of the willing,” a group of 35 countries who support Ukraine. He said that 26 of the countries had committed to deploying troops in Ukraine — or to maintaining a presence on land, at sea, or in the air — to help guarantee the country’s security the day after a ceasefire or peace is achieved.

Earlier Thursday, Macron and other European leaders met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the U.S. envoy for peace talks, Steve Witkoff, to discuss ways of ensuring long-term military support and continued American backing for Ukraine once the conflict ends. Zelenskyy also held a closed-door meeting with Witkoff.

Macron said at a news conference alongside Zelenskyy that the reassurance force “does not have the will or the objective of waging war against Russia,” but will aim “to prevent any new major aggression and to involve the 26 states very clearly in the lasting security of Ukraine.”

Macron and Zelenskyy say US backs the plan

Though details of any U.S. participation in the security guarantees remain unclear, both Macron and Zelenskyy said Washington had expressed willingness to be part of the plan, and the Ukrainian president said he was grateful about that. “As for in what format, I am not yet ready to tell you in detail,” Zelenskyy added.

“The planning work will be finalized with the United States,” Macron said.

Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who lead the “coalition of the willing,” previously have insisted that any European “reassurance” force in Ukraine needs the backing of the United States.

The European leaders — some of whom joined the meeting virtually — said Russian President Vladimir Putin must now work toward ending the fighting, and the German government suggested European sanctions on Russia would increase if Moscow drags its feet. The European leaders also spoke by phone with U.S. President Donald Trump after their meeting.

Starmer’s office said the British prime minister “emphasized that the group had an unbreakable pledge to Ukraine, with President Trump’s backing, and it was clear they now needed to go even further to apply pressure on Putin to secure a cessation of hostilities.”

Trump phone call

Finnish President Alexander Stubb told Finnish media that, in the phone conversation with European leaders, Trump emphasized the need to put economic pressure on Russia, and said Europe must stop buying Russian oil and gas that he said was funding the war.

Trump stressed that Russia received €1.1 billion in fuel sales from the EU in one year, according to a White House official. Trump also emphasized that European leaders must place economic pressure on China for indirectly funding Russia’s war efforts, according to the official, who was not authorized to comment publicly about the private talks and spoke on the condition of anonymity.

German government spokesman Stefan Kornelius said that German Chancellor Friedrich Merz laid out three “areas of action,” including working toward a summit that would include Zelenskyy, and “a ceasefire must be agreed there.”

“If the Russian side continues to play for time, Europe will increase the pressure of sanctions to increase the chances of a diplomatic solution,” the statement said.

The Ukrainian president said a meeting with Putin is needed. “This is not a matter of a desire, this is a matter of necessity,” Zelenskyy said. “We support any format, bilateral meeting, trilateral meeting, I believe that Russia does everything to defer it.”

There was no immediate reaction from Russian officials.

Putin — isolated by Western leaders but backed by China in his war effort — said Wednesday that he believed “if common sense prevails, it is possible to agree on an acceptable option for ending the conflict,” adding that Trump has “a sincere desire” to reach a settlement.

Positive signals

In a policy shift earlier this month, the U.S. sent positive signals over its readiness to support security guarantees for Ukraine that resemble NATO’s collective defense mandate, Zelenskyy previously has said. It is unclear what that support would look like in practice. Ukraine is hoping for continued U.S. intelligence sharing and air support.

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said that a broad coalition of nations is needed to support Ukraine’s defense against Russian aggression, but also to strengthen Europe to deter further military action by Moscow.

Citing European military and intelligence officials who have warned of Russian plans to strike other European countries, Rutte said that “we have to make sure that our deterrence is such that they will never try, knowing that our reaction will be devastating.”

Rutte also called for the world to “not be naive about Russia.”

“We know what Putin tries to do and and the evidence is there in Ukraine as we speak,” he said.

Meanwhile, in Ukraine, Russia fired 112 strike and decoy drones across the country overnight Thursday, according to Ukraine’s Air Force morning report. Air defenses intercepted or jammed 84 drones, the statement said.

Russia on Thursday announced that it was expelling an Estonian diplomat in a tit-for-tat move after Estonia declared a Russian diplomat persona non grata last month.

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Petrequin reported from London. Associated Press reporters from across the globe contributed to this report.