A multi-year collaboration between DePaul University and the Chicago Bears will bring together two of Chicago’s highly recognized organizations and provide DePaul students with immersive learning experiences, mentorship opportunities, and community service initiatives, alongside the Bears organization.The news: Beginning
this NFL season, DePaul will be the Proud University Partner of the Chicago Bears.
Why it matters: The multi-year collaboration connects two historic Chicago institutions and creates immersive learning experiences, mentorship opportunities, and community service initiatives for students.
How it works:
- Hands-on experiences will connect classroom instruction with real-world applications, giving DePaul students direct exposure to professionals across the Bears organization and the broader sports industry. Bears staff will participate in guest lectures, project-based coursework, and career development programming.
- The Bears will also participate in Chicago Quarter, DePaul’s signature first-year program that introduces students to the city’s neighborhoods, institutions and cultures. Students will gain unique insights into leadership, teamwork and the role professional sports play in shaping communities.
- DePaul will also serve as a title sponsor of the Bears School Outreach program. Throughout the season, Bears players, DePaul students and faculty will visit Chicago Public Schools to engage with students.
- DePaul students, faculty and staff will also be joined by Bears alumni during Vincentian Service Day, a 25-year tradition that mobilizes thousands of volunteers for citywide projects.
The big picture: The partnership blends academics, service and sports — spotlighting DePaul’s Catholic, Vincentian mission while engaging Bears fans across Chicago and beyond.
What they’re saying:
DePaul President Robert L. Manuel: “DePaul is thrilled to serve as the Proud University Partner of the Chicago Bears,” Manuel said. “This partnership strengthens our shared connection to Chicago and creates new opportunities for academic collaboration that will benefit our students. Through this collaboration, we will showcase our Catholic, Vincentian mission, academic distinction and deep roots in the region to Bears fans across the globe and the NFL community at large. We look forward to welcoming the Bears organization into our classrooms and engaging them in signature DePaul experiences like Chicago Quarter and Vincentian Service Day.”