Executive vice president Nim Chinniah has resigned from Northwestern, University spokesman Al Cubbage confirmed to The Daily on Monday.

Cubbage declined to comment on the resignation.

Chinniah announced his decision in a Friday email to “University leaders,” which he forwarded to The Daily.

“It has been a high honor for me to serve as the executive vice president over the past four years and to work beside all of you,” Chinniah said in the email. “I have learned and grown tremendously from this experience. I am ready to explore my next career steps after taking some time off.”

Chinniah was named executive vice president in July 2014, and came to NU after holding a similar position at the University of Chicago. He succeeded Eugene Sunshine, who retired in 2014 after 17 years at the University.

Before working at UChicago, Chinniah spent 16 years working at Vanderbilt University, holding multiple positions including deputy vice chancellor for administration and academic affairs. He was also awarded the “Rising Star” award in 2003 from the National Association of College and University Business Officers.

Chinniah also served as co-chair of the Global Strategy Task Force, which in 2016 recommended that Northwestern open up to three new international sites over a five-year period.

In the Friday email, Chinniah said he will leave the University in early May.

“Northwestern University is a very special place and is poised to reach even greater heights. The relationships that I have built with you will last a lifetime,” he said in the email. “I will always be grateful for the warmth of your welcome and your guidance in my Northwestern direction and journey. I am deeply gratified by what we have done together.”

This story was updated at 11:00 p.m. with information from an email Chinniah sent to “University leaders” about his resignation.

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