Eddie Phillips has been named the twelfth president of National Louis University. On August 1, he will become the university’s first Black and youngest president in its 140-year history.
At its main campus in Chicago, National Louis University enrolls nearly 4,500 undergraduates and about 4,500 graduate students, according to the most recent data from the U.S. Department of Education. In addition to offering online programs, the university also has campuses in Lisle, Illinois; Wheeling, Illinois; and Tampa, Florida. Black students represent more than one-fifth of the Chicago campus’s undergraduate population.
Dr. Phillips joined the National Louis University administration in 2021 as vice provost of academic programs and accreditation. One year later, he became the university’s first Black provost and vice president of academic affairs. Earlier in his career, Dr. Phillips held senior administrative roles in academic affairs and student services at several institutions in the Chicago area, including Kennedy-King College, Northern Illinois University, Malcom X College, and Rush University Medical Center.
“I am deeply honored to have been chosen to lead the National Louis University community at such a monumental point in its history,” said Dr. Phillips. “Elizabeth Harrison’s founding belief that the right use of individual growth is in the service of humanity still pulses through NLU. I look forward to working with our remarkable faculty, staff, students, trustees, and alumni as we continue to build upon NLU’s strong legacy of advancing innovation and expanding opportunity. This will ensure that every learner we serve is empowered to thrive, lead, and shape the futures of their communities.”
Dr. Phillips holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in sociology and criminology and a doctorate in higher education leadership and administration from Northern Illinois University.
