
Craig Mousin, retired Ombudsperson and College of Law faculty, welcomes all to the President's Dialogue Series and introduces guest speaker Kwame Raoul, Illinois Attorney General. (Photo by Steve Woltmann/DePaul University)

President Robert L. Manuel and Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul participate in a panel to discuss immigration during the President's Dialogue Series held in the Lincoln Park Campus Student Center on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025. (Photo by Steve Woltmann/DePaul University)

Amy Merrick, professional lecturer in the College of Communication, listens to speakers during the President's first Dialogue Series. (Photo by Steve Woltmann/DePaul University)

Senior leaders take part in the discussion on immigration and new federal guidelines. (Photo by Steve Woltmann/DePaul University)

Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, a DePaul alumnus, serves as a guest speaker at the President's Dialogue Series focusing on immigration issues. (Photo by Steve Woltmann/DePaul University)

With the help of the Dialogue Collaborative, participants share their thoughts and concerns for the DePaul community through sticky notes. (Photo by Steve Woltmann/DePaul University)

Emily Krauss, assistant director of global learning and special programs, joins fellow staff members and faculty in a discussion following a moderated panel at the President's Dialogue Series. (Photo by Steve Woltmann/DePaul University)

Manuel discusses options and ideas with fellow DePaul community members following the panel on immigration. (Photo by Steve Woltmann/DePaul University)

Georgiana Torres-Reyes, associate vice president of student engagement in the division of Mission and Ministry and GianMario Besana, associate provost for global engagement and online learning, participate in the discussion to better understand new federal guidelines regarding immigration. (Photo by Steve Woltmann/DePaul University)
PreviousNext
Nearly 200 faculty and staff gathered in Lincoln Park last Tuesday to hear from Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul about immigration policy. Raoul, an esteemed DePaul alumnus, and President Robert L. Manuel discussed how state and local governments are approaching new federal policies and how DePaul can provide meaningful support to our community.
Faculty and staff then engaged in dialogue in small groups, sharing their concerns and identifying strategies and resources. This is the first in the President’s Dialogue Series: The Future of Higher Education, which will serve as a platform for our community to discern how we can best live out our Catholic, Vincentian mission.
“We're invited by our mission to care for others and provide hospitality in the most difficult situations,” Manuel said. “Please know that we will, within the confines of the law, use every capacity we have to help those in need during this time.”
In light of the recent executive orders regarding immigration, Raoul said he takes comfort in constitutional protections. He encouraged faculty and staff to familiarize themselves with “Know your rights” training and materials. He also emphasized the importance of higher education in this moment to combat polarizing rhetoric. “I look at universities as a laboratory for what we lift up as dialogue,” Raoul said.
The Dialogue Collaborative planned the small group discussions and facilitated along with staff from the Office of Mission and Ministry. Elissa Foster, chair of the collaborative, shared that conversation transforms into dialogue when what emerges belongs to all who participate and would not have been possible without input from all.
More than 150 comments and ideas were submitted through online surveys and notes. While many expressed fear and uncertainty, some also voiced feeling energized by coming together to discuss in community. There were calls for more support for marginalized students, and training on laws and resources for faculty and staff to know how to best advocate for their students.
Manuel said ideas and comments from community members would be shared with leadership, including his Cabinet, Joint Council and the Board of Trustees to inform decision making at the university.
The next session in the President’s Dialogue Series for faculty and staff will cover diversity, equity and inclusion in higher education on Feb. 27 at noon in Lincoln Park. The event is meant to spark meaningful conversation and deepen our collective understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing higher education. More information about the next session will be shared with faculty and staff soon.