The University Honors Program at Northern Illinois University was established in 1969. In 1982 the program's current structure of Lower Division Honors, Upper Division Honors, and University Honors was instituted.
The following individuals have served as directors of the program.
| 1969-1970 | John Ulrich |
| 1970-1974 | Roger Irle |
| 1974-1980 | Jack Villmow |
| 1980-1983 | William Johnson |
| 1983-1986 | Eleanor Godfrey |
| 1986-1991 | Marion Miller |
| 1991-1994 | Jeff Chown |
| 1994-1999 | James Massey |
| 1999-2002 | John "Jay" Wagle |
| 2002-2008 | Michael Martin |
| 2008-2009 | Nancy Castle |
| 2009-2011 | Daniel Kempton |
| 2011- | Christopher Jones* |
*On July 1, 2011, the title of the administrative leader of the University Honors Program was changed from director to associate vice provost for university honors.