Medill appoints new chief of staff

Sara A. Nelson brings extensive administrative and management experience to the School

Sara A. Nelson will be the new chief of staff at Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications.

Nelson joins Medill from DePaul University in Chicago where she served as director of operations and special projects. She has extensive administrative and management experience, working across the university to develop and coordinate human resource policies and governance processes.

At Medill, Nelson will work with both faculty and staff to ensure Medill exceeds its goals. She’ll also be a liaison for Medill with the University community.

“I was impressed with Sara’s passion for higher education and commitment to working with key stakeholders,” said Medill Interim Dean Charles Whitaker. “As Medill begins its 97th year, we are committed to providing experiences for our students that can only happen at Medill and a top-10 university like Northwestern. Sara will be a key part of our team.”

Nelson earned her BA in English Literature from the University of San Diego and her Master’s of Science in Human Resource Management from DePaul. She is pursuing her EdD from DePaul in Educational Leadership. Prior to coming to DePaul in 2009, she was a human resources manager at Hart Davis Hart Wine Co.