Katie Callow-Wright

From: Paul Alivisatos
Subject: Katie Callow-Wright
Date: May 15, 2023

This morning Princeton University announced that Executive Vice President Katie Callow-Wright has been named as their next executive vice president, effective July 24. As Princeton’s top non-academic leader, she will be responsible for the university’s campus planning, operations, and infrastructure.

This transition represents the culmination of 23 years of tremendous service to the University of Chicago, during which Katie has held a range of positions. From roles in Campus Life and the College to the Office of the President, she has brought her capacious organizational creativity to bear on a number of strategic, operational, and governance-related opportunities. 

As a member of Office of the President since 2014, she has assumed progressive leadership responsibilities in roles spanning chief of staff, vice president, and secretary of the university, before she became the executive vice president of the university in 2020. Throughout that time, she has convened leaders, resources, and administrative units around important efforts and programmatic initiatives, which notably include campus planning and her work to steward and renew the facilities and spaces that underpin and enable the creative and academic enterprise of our campuses. She has also championed major efforts such as the Institute of Politics and the development of the Chicago Forum for Free Inquiry and Expression. Notably, Katie led the University’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, working with government officials, experts, and leadership at the Medical Center, as well as deans and officers and a network of faculty and staff across campus to develop and implement policies and protocols to support the health and resilience of our community during a time of great challenge. 

Looking ahead, we will take the appropriate actions to ensure that the many functions she has overseen are well stewarded, and I will share greater detail about the transition shortly.

I am fortunate to have been a beneficiary of Katie’s support since my return to the University; she has been a great partner to me—and will continue to be an important part of my leadership team until her departure this summer. Please join me in wishing Katie all the best for her next chapter.