Karen Smilowitz
Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education
Karen Smilowitz joined the Office of the Provost in September 2025 as Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education. A Northwestern faculty member since 2001, Karen is the at the McCormick School of Engineering and a professor of operations in the Kellogg School of Management.
As Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education, Karen facilitates the enhancement of the undergraduate academic experience through partnerships with the undergraduate schools and Student Affairs. Her office provides resources and opportunities for undergraduates through several undergraduate education units. Karen also serves in a leadership role for a variety of University initiatives, including leading Northwestern’s Undergraduate Council, which works to identify opportunities for University-wide collaboration and provide creative and pragmatic solutions to systemic University-wide challenges.
Karen earned a Ph.D. and M.S. in Civil and Environmental Engineering: Transportation from University of California, Berkeley, and a B.S.E. Civil Engineering and Operations Research from Princeton University.