Christopher McCord named dean
of College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Talented U. of Cincinnati administrator brings diverse experiences

Following a nationwide search, NIU has selected an experienced administrator with a record of innovation and consensus-building to lead the university’s largest college.

Christopher McCord of the University of Cincinnati will become dean of NIU’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences on July 1, pending approval of the NIU Board of Trustees.

McCord will oversee the largest of NIU’s seven colleges – with 17 departments, 385 faculty positions, more than 6,500 undergraduates and more than 1,200 graduate students.

“We landed our very top choice,” said NIU Provost Raymond Alden. “He was the unanimous preference of the search committee.”

“Christopher McCord was clearly the candidate who stood out,” added NIU President John Peters. “Our College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is an integral part of the NIU experience, and Dr. McCord will play a major role as we continue to strengthen already nationally recognized programs and develop new areas of study that meet the needs of our students and region.”

Provost Alden said search committee members were impressed with McCord’s wide range of experiences at the University of Cincinnati, a research-extensive public institution with more than 35,000 students and many similar characteristics to NIU.

“Dr. McCord has a breadth of leadership skills and experience in all the things we tend to value,” Alden said. “He is a problem solver who works well with diverse constituency groups and has the interpersonal skills to lead by consensus-building.”