Henry Bienen

Henry S. Bienen served as Northwestern’s 15th president from 1995 to 2009, and returned on September 16, 2025, to serve as Interim President. A nationally recognized leader in higher education, Interim President Bienen led Northwestern to increased academic prominence, research prowess, financial strength, and athletic success. During his tenure, Northwestern faculty and students received numerous academic awards, the endowment quintupled, applications for admission skyrocketed and the University’s reputation grew both nationally and internationally.

Prior to becoming Northwestern’s president, Bienen was the James S. McDonnell Distinguished University Professor and dean of the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University (now called the School of Public and International Affairs). A political scientist with interests in political and economic development, comparative politics, civil-military relations and U.S. foreign policy, Bienen began his association with Princeton University in 1966 as an assistant professor. He was named associate professor of politics and international affairs at Princeton in 1969 and professor of politics and international affairs in 1972. He was appointed the William Stewart Tod Professor of Politics and International Affairs at Princeton in 1981 and the James S. McDonnell Distinguished University Professor in 1985.