North Central College Board of Trustees announces retirement of President Troy D. Hammond

Board of Trustees Implementing Transition Plan and Forming Search Committee

The Board of Trustees of North Central College announces it has accepted the resignation of President Troy D. Hammond after nearly ten years of serving in the role. The Board expects to name an Interim President in the coming weeks as it prepares for the upcoming academic year. Under Hammond’s leadership, North Central transformed its curriculum, operations, and campus.

“North Central College is a stronger institution because of President Hammond’s leadership and service over the past ten years,” said James A. McDermet M ’92, Chairman of the Board of Trustees. “Nearly every aspect of North Central has been transformed to help us prepare for the future. We completed the most successful capital campaign in our history to help modernize and expand our campus to support the addition of new academic programs and benefit generations of students to come.”

Hammond informed the Board that he believed it was time for a new leader to guide the College for the next phase of its storied 160-year history after nearly a decade in the role.

“Serving in this role has been the professional honor of a lifetime. I am grateful to the Board of Trustees for providing me this opportunity and for the diligent work of our leadership, faculty, and staff to make a difference in the lives of thousands of students during my time here,” said President Hammond. “It’s hard to believe a decade has gone by because it seems like yesterday I was being introduced to the North Central College community, but I believe the time is right for me to let someone else guide this amazing institution.”

The Board expects to name an Interim President in the coming weeks and for the individual to be in their role for the upcoming academic year. To help ensure the impressive momentum of the College continues, Hammond will transition his role and become an Advisor to the Board.

The Board is forming its Search Committee for the 11th president of North Central College, and the group will begin its work in the coming months.

“The past decade of growth, change, innovation, and improvement to our campus’ infrastructure has laid the foundation for a flourishing North Central College,” said McDermet. “Our future is as bright as ever, and the Board looks forward to finding our next leader who can sustain our momentum and help the College, its faculty, and students achieve even greater success in the years to come.”

North Central College has been ranked among America’s Best Colleges by U.S. News & World Report for the 27th consecutive year. North Central ranked No. 19 out of 157 schools in the Best Regional Universities Midwest category. The College ranked No. 8 for Most Innovative Schools, which includes schools making “cutting edge” improvements on their campuses in the areas of curriculum, faculty, students, campus life, technology, and facilities.

“We’ve improved the student experience, added in-demand academic programs, and have new facilities that inspire academic achievement. None of that would have been possible without the support and collaboration of our campus community, donors, and our neighbors throughout Naperville,” said Hammond. “I will forever be a fan of North Central College and look forward to watching our talented faculty, dedicated staff, and ambitious students write the next chapter of the school’s history.”