On May 15, the University announced Katie Callow-Wright as the University’s next executive vice president (EVP). The position is Princeton’s highest non-academic post.
According to the University’s press release, Callow-Wright will “provide overall leadership for the University’s campus planning, operations and infrastructure,” in her new role.
The executive vice president oversees the development and operation of campus, as well as the dissemination of resources and services on campus. The opening was prompted by the departure of Treby Williams ’84. Williams came into the position after years of work in the Office of the Executive Vice President and as assistant vice president for safety and administrative planning. Williams will continue to serve as senior adviser to the University president for one year, before retiring from Princeton, according to the announcement of her departure.
The EVP is not primarily a student-facing role. Callow-Wright has served in similar positions in recent years, though she started her administrative career as an assistant dean of the college and assistant vice president for student life at the University of Chicago.
Notably, the office of the executive vice president is in charge of the University’s long-term capital construction plan.
Campus expansion has recently been marked by the entrance of the University’s largest incoming class in history and continued campus construction of Hobson College, the 17-acre site of the Environmental Studies and School of Engineering and Applied Science (ES&SEAS) campus, and the new computer science complex. These projects are overseen in part by the Office of the Executive Vice President.
At Princeton, the University’s executive vice president is also in charge of direct oversight of the offices of campus life, investigations unit, environmental health and safety, and public safety, among other departments.
The executive vice president has historically been involved in a number of committees as a leader in campus efforts. One of these committees, the Environmental, Safety, and Risk Management Committee (ESRM), was recently involved in providing recommendations for a policy placing security cameras “at all exterior doorways in undergraduate residential college buildings and dorms.” Students and student groups have voiced concerns about the policy.
In the University press release, Callow-Wright voiced her hope of enabling the work of students and faculty to continue. “The departments that report to the EVP enjoy very strong leadership, and it is a privilege to support their continued exemplary service to the University,” she said.
Callow-Wright declined a request for comment for this article.
Callow-Wright was formerly the executive vice president of the University of Chicago, a position in which she focused on initiatives and large-scale planning that engaged different University departments, administrators, and trustees. Previously, Callow-Wright served as vice president and secretary of the University, as well as chief of staff in the Office of the President until her appointment to UChicago’s executive office in 2020.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from DePauw University and a master’s degree in education from Bowling Green State University.
Callow-Wright was selected for the position after being recommended by University President Christopher L. Eisgruber ’83 following an international search for the University’s next executive vice president. She was then approved by the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees on May 11.
Eisgruber commented on how Callow-Wright’s “practical insight, strategic vision, collegial attitude, and enthusiasm for the mission and values that define this University,” stood out during the selection process.
Callow-Wright will begin her new position on July 24.
Isabel Yip is a head News editor for the ‘Prince.’
Please direct any corrections requests to corrections[at]dailyprincetonian.com.
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