Blue Demon Spotlight

DePaul nears Hispanic-Serving Institution status

DePaul nears Hispanic-Serving Institution status

During her 25 years at DePaul, director of first-year academic success Yesenia Sanchez-Giancola has seen the Latine student population grow from one in 11 to one in five. As DePaul nears the one-in-four benchmark required for HSI status, Sanchez-Giancola and the HSI Task Force are envisioning new ways to support Latine students.​

A half-century of dedication: DePaul University celebrates Leonard “Lenny” Jason

A half-century of dedication: DePaul University celebrates Leonard “Lenny” Jason

​Over the last 50 years, Jason has secured over $47 million in federal research grants, chaired 60 doctoral committees and influenced the lives of thousands of people at DePaul and beyond.

Building safer communities: Training programs aim to stop violence before it escalates

Building safer communities: Training programs aim to stop violence before it escalates

​​DePaul’s Megan Alderden discusses violence prevention efforts​.

Alumnus takes the Lyric Opera stage

Alumnus takes the Lyric Opera stage

​Brenton Ryan has graced stages around the world. This November, he returns to Chicago.​

Fostering first-generation student success

Fostering first-generation student success

Nov. 4-8 is First-Generation College Celebration Week. Director of student success initiatives Ashley Williams discusses this year's celebration and support for first-generation students.​

Game on: Meet E-Sports Coordinator Jeffery Fricke-Waters

Game on: Meet E-Sports Coordinator Jeffery Fricke-Waters

Fricke-Waters discusses the growth of esports and how members of the DePaul community can get involved.​

Geography student maps nonprofit's impact

Geography student maps nonprofit's impact

​For DePaul student and geographic information systems maven Lacy Wright, maps help guide her on a different journey: one toward alleviating food insecurity in Chicago’s under-resourced communities. ​

Nick Obis champions employee accommodations and accessibility

Nick Obis champions employee accommodations and accessibility

​For National Disability Employment Awareness Month​ this October, Obis introduces us to his role educating others about disability rights and how to work together to build a healthy, welcoming and successful work environment at DePaul.​

Fulbright scholar expands music appreciation

Fulbright scholar expands music appreciation

This fall, School of Music faculty member Natasha Bogojevic will take on the challenge of developing music education in Serbia as a Fulbright Scholar. In this Q&A, Bogojevic discusses goals for her time in Belgrade and what inspires her to engage in intercultural music conversations.​

Nurse leaders earn '40 under 40' award

Nurse leaders earn '40 under 40' award

​Two DePaul University School of Nursing faculty members made this year’s Illinois Nurses Association 40 under 40 Nurse Leaders list for demonstrating their excellence in the nursing profession.​

Taurean J. Webb inducted into Morehouse College Collegium of Scholars

Taurean J. Webb inducted into Morehouse College Collegium of Scholars

​The Collegium honors academics dedicated to promoting social responsibility and human rights.

History professor bridges cultures through Egyptian archaeology

History professor bridges cultures through Egyptian archaeology

​Scott Bucking discusses his research site in Egypt's Eastern Desert.

Faith drives Minister Jené to support marginalized students

Faith drives Minister Jené to support marginalized students

​“The thief does not come except to steal and to kill and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”

Okunola Jeyifous researches memory, addiction in neuroscience lab

Okunola Jeyifous researches memory, addiction in neuroscience lab

​Long-term memory and alterations due to drug addiction are currently the two focus areas in the Jeyifous Lab.

Celebrating APIDA Heritage Month: A Q&A with Sabs Salvador

Celebrating APIDA Heritage Month: A Q&A with Sabs Salvador

​In this Q&A, Salvador discusses APIDA Heritage Month and the university’s upcoming celebrations, as well as DePaul’s n​ew status as an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution and what that means for the campus community.

Ava Francis builds community, connection for Black students

Ava Francis builds community, connection for Black students

Since joining DePaul in 2022, Ava Francis has used her role as program manager of the university’s Black Cultural Center to build community and connection for Black students.

Cinematic Arts alum recognized at Sundance Film Festival

Cinematic Arts alum recognized at Sundance Film Festival

​DePaul School of Cinematic Arts alumnus Alex Thompson (MFA '17) is an independent film director based in Chicago. His feature... read more

Samara Smith pairs education with service and advocacy

Samara Smith pairs education with service and advocacy

​While studying abroad in southern Mexico, DePaul senior Samara Smith still finds time to log onto Zoom for regular meetings with Designing DePaul’s Black Equity Initiative Committee.​

Cook County awards Steans Center $148K grant for food equity and sustainability research in Chicago area

Cook County awards Steans Center $148K grant for food equity and sustainability research in Chicago area

​​​​​​​Equitably and sustainably sourced foods are vital to the wellbeing of all people, yet the inaccessibility of such food makes healthy... read more

DePaul professor recounts the niche history of horror films

DePaul professor recounts the niche history of horror films

​ Amidst the array of new demons and villains in theaters, DePaul School of Cinematic Arts faculty member Andrew Stasiulis reflects... read more

Jumpstarting philanthropy and launching a capital campaign

Jumpstarting philanthropy and launching a capital campaign

​Senio​r Vice President of Advancement and External Relations Katie Fraumann arrived at DePaul in July 2023. Newsline caught up with her to discuss her transition and her ambitions.

Dedication and transformation: Mara Contreras' journey from translator to speech-language pathology student

Dedication and transformation: Mara Contreras' journey from translator to speech-language pathology student

​Mara ​Contreras, graduate student in speech-language pathology, exemplifies the DePaul mission through her persistence and success.