NLU History
Long before it was called National Louis University, the institution was known as Miss Harrison’s Training School and later took this name in 1930 as it became a leader in teacher education.
What is the National College of Education?
The flagship downtown Chicago campus at 122 S. Michigan Avenue sits just steps away from this world-famous park that hosts music festivals, theater, art and ice-skating.
What is Millennium Park?
NLU is proudly accredited by this regional accreditor, which oversees the quality of many universities in the Midwest and beyond.
What is the Higher Learning Commission?
Many of the students in NLU’s Undergraduate College are first-generation students, meaning they are the first in their families to reach this degree.
What is a bachelor’s degree?
This founder of NLU was both an education pioneer and a social reformer, using her kindergarten training school to improve conditions for families and neighborhoods in Chicago.
Who is Elizabeth Harrison?
Elizabeth Harrison originally created NLU as a training school for women to teach very young children, helping ignite this now-standard level of schooling in the United States.
What is kindergarten?
The 122 S Michigan campus shares the historic People's Gas building with this official diplomatic office
What is The Phillipine Consulate General?
NLU is organized into seven colleges. Most recently we added the School of Nursing in 2023. What year did NLU acquire Kendall College, the college ranked No. 1 in Chicago for Culinary Programs?
When is 2018?
In the early 1900s, NLU’s work in early childhood education directly helped launch this national parent–teacher advocacy organization, still active in schools today.
What is the Parent-Teacher Association (the PTA)?
In 2006, NLU closed its former main site in Evanston and shifted its northern suburban operations to this nearby community, continuing its presence in the Chicago area.
What is Skokie, Illinois?
As a leading university in diversity, accessibility, and inclusion, NLU proudly holds these two federally designated titles from the Department of Education.
What is Minority Serving Institution (MSI) / Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI)?
Among NLU’s notable alumni is Asheru, known professionally in the music industry where he has contributed as a hip‑hop artist and educator. He is widely known for performing the theme songs of this animated TV series.
What is The Boondocks?
Beyond Illinois, NLU also serves students through a regional campus in this sunny U.S. state, providing access to learners across 13 central counties.
What is Florida?
In 2026, NLU was preparing to mark this major anniversary, celebrating nearly a century and a half of innovation and problem solving in education.
What is the 140th anniversary?
Another notable NLU alum, Andrew Clements, became a bestselling author in children's literature, writing this popular book about a young boy who invents a new word for "pen."
What is Frindle?
In 2026, NLU announced this person as the next president of the university, making history as the first Black president and the youngest in our history.
Who is Dr. Eddie Phillips?
One of NLU’s downtown buildings, acquired in 2018 at 18 S. Michigan Avenue, houses the culinary arts and hospitality management programs of this well-known college now integrated into the university.
What is Kendall College?
in 1986, our institution received a major philanthropic gift that helped expand the institution’s programs and reach. How much money was donated to our institution, prompting the university’s official name change in 1990 to honor the Louis family?
What is $30 million?
NLU’s mission is deeply tied to equitable opportunity; one of its strategic aims is to help students overcome both academic and financial hurdles that might otherwise block them from earning this key credential.
What is a college degree?
Linda Holmes, another of NLU’s notable alumni, went on to serve in this state-level legislative role in Illinois government.
What is Illinois state senator?