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Chelsea Watson

Undergraduate Program Administrator

Biography:

Chelsea Watson oversees the undergraduate program in the Department of Chemistry supporting students throughout their academic journey. In this role, she assists with course registration, coordinates programming, and ensures smooth day-to-day operations, to create a supportive and effective learning environment.

Prior to joining Northwestern University, Chelsea was a trained mortician, serving her rural hometown during the COVID-19 pandemic. Following her move to Chicago, she experienced burnout that prompted a transition into higher education, leading her to pursue a Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration and Policy from Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy (SESP), which she completed in 2025. Chelsea is well acquainted with the undergraduate program, having previously served as the Undergraduate Program Coordinator, where she supported faculty, managed course logistics, and provided guidance to graduate student teaching assistants. In recognition of her contributions, she received the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences Dean’s Excellence Award in the 2024-2025 academic year. 

Chelsea lives in Chicago with her husband and their dog, Butters. Outside of work, she enjoys reading thrillers, watching the Real Housewives franchise, taking barre classes, traveling, and starting her day with a latte (or two).