Strategic Directions

DePaul's security assessment and benchmarking results

DePaul's security assessment and benchmarking results

​​DePaul recently received the results and recommendations from a security assessment and campus safety benchmarking survey.​

Grounded in Mission at the Halfway Point: What we have accomplished; what’s left to do

Grounded in Mission at the Halfway Point: What we have accomplished; what’s left to do

Like it did ​to every aspect of our lives and society, the pandemic affected progress on our strategic goals. High on the accomplishment list are enrollment and philanthropy successes. While we advanced in some areas, we did not make sufficient progress in others.

DePaul tops Midwest in generating social mobility

DePaul tops Midwest in generating social mobility

​Education Reform Now ranked DePaul No. 3 in social mobility for Pell-eligible students among private universities and No. 52 among universities for elevating low-income students’ economic status.

DePaul makes progress on strategic goals

DePaul makes progress on strategic goals

​The pandemic was no match for DePaul’s strategic plan, which steamed ahead in 2019-20 despite a spring detour.​

The return on a DePaul education

The return on a DePaul education

​​In a study by Georgetown University, the net present value of a DePaul degree over a 40-year span made the top 10 percent of the 4,500 colleges studied, with a value of $1,059,000. ​

Sense of belonging is paramount to the student experience

Sense of belonging is paramount to the student experience

As a university committed to drawing on diversity to enhance our learning and understanding, DePaul must fulfill the promise of a welcoming environment. We will achieve this goal when all of our students feel included and engaged.​​

Quarters to Semesters task force update

Quarters to Semesters task force update

​They studied the higher education landscape, collected data, analyzed potential effects and reported the pros and cons of academic calendars using quarters and semesters. In the end, the 13-member Quarter to Semester Exploratory Task Force found benefits to both. Read on t​o learn more about the findings and view the final report.

SGA campaign identifies student ideas for new initiatives at DePaul

SGA campaign identifies student ideas for new initiatives at DePaul

​This spring, the Office of the President launched an effort to engage students in the strategic plan in a meaningful way by offering to support at least one student-identified initiative from those vetted by the Student Government Association. About 40 ideas surfaced during a month-long campaign by SGA to solicit initiatives students would like to see implemented as part of Grounded in Mission​, the university’s strategic plan.

Global Learning Experience Expands to Colombia and Beyond

Global Learning Experience Expands to Colombia and Beyond

​Bringing students from around the world together using technology is the idea behind DePaul’s Global Learning Experience. The initiative, known as GLE, enables faculty and students to collaborate on joint projects and interact with classrooms in other countries without the time and expense of travel. Read on to learn more about a new College of Education course that will offer a transnational intercultural experience for students in Chicago and Colombia. ​

Academic program prioritization project gets underway

Academic program prioritization project gets underway

​The current strategic plan, “Grounded in Mission,” calls for a university-wide process of academic-program prioritization. A faculty task force has been working with Academic Affairs to develop a timeline and design for this process. A rough draft of the program-evaluation methodology is expected to be completed by the end of winter quarter. 

DePaul appoints Student Experience Task Force

DePaul appoints Student Experience Task Force

​A cross-section of faculty, staff and students has been appointed to the DePaul Experience Task Force, to identify innovative ways to improve student engagement and school spirit. Georgianna Torres Reyes, associate vice president for student engagement in Mission and Ministry, and Rico Tyler, associate vice president in Student Affairs, will chair the task force. 

Quarter to Semester Task Force appointed

Quarter to Semester Task Force appointed

​The Quarter to Semester Exploratory Task Force, a committee led by faculty, and including staff and students, was appointed to examine academic calendar systems and identify the most pressing academic implications of the university’s current quarter-based calendar. Currently, the College of Law uses semesters and all other degree programs are taught in quarters.  ​

The lasting legacy of traveling to Vincentian France

The lasting legacy of traveling to Vincentian France

More than 750 members of the university community have journeyed to Vincentian France since 2000, when DePaul began guided study tours of sites associated with St. Vincent and St. Louise. The trips are designed to prepare lay people to carry forward DePaul’s Catholic, Vincentian mission and have been an integral part of recent strategic plans, including the latest one, Grounded in Mission.​

Grounded in Mission: The Plan for DePaul 2024 launches with retention, diversity, and student support initiatives

Grounded in Mission: The Plan for DePaul 2024 launches with retention, diversity, and student support initiatives

​Th​e university outlines the first of several tactics that will emerge from the university’s new strategic plan, "Grounded in Mission," as DePaul pursues its vision of ensuring academic success for a diverse community of learners.

Exploring the Catholic intellectual tradition at DePaul

Exploring the Catholic intellectual tradition at DePaul

​What is the Catholic intellectual tradition? Read on to learn how it is enhanced when faculty engage in interdisciplinary activities and apply knowledge to improve the human condition.​

Trustees approve strategic plan for 2024

Trustees approve strategic plan for 2024

​In a vote at its meeting this afternoon, May 17, the Board of Trustees approved the strategic plan that will guide DePaul through its next six years. The plan, "Grounded in Mission: Engaging Students, Transforming Communities. The Plan for DePaul 2024," has six goals. Read on to view the final plan and how it responds to thoughts voiced by members of the DePaul community.​

DePaul University to launch new comprehensive brand awareness campaign

DePaul University to launch new comprehensive brand awareness campaign

CHICAGO — DePaul University announces a new brand awareness campaign with the message “Here, We Do.” Breaking April 23 and running... read more

Faculty and staff are the new Vincentians

Faculty and staff are the new Vincentians

​As faculty and staff get more comfortable serving as Vincentians in a new way, they will interpret the mission in relation to contemporary needs. Read on to learn more about how the DePaul community can continue to carry the Vincentian mission into the university's next strategic plan. 

University community turns out to share feedback on draft strategic plan

University community turns out to share feedback on draft strategic plan

​Two town hall meetings soliciting feedback on the draft strategic plan attracted standing room only crowds, demonstrating the investment faculty, staff and students are making in envisioning DePaul's future. ​

DRAFT EMERGES FROM PLANNING PROCESS; TOWN HALL MEETINGS MARCH 13-14

DRAFT EMERGES FROM PLANNING PROCESS; TOWN HALL MEETINGS MARCH 13-14

DePaul has a strong history of using strategic plans to enhance student success. A draft of the latest plan is now circulating for input at town hall meetings March 13 and 14.​

Board chair outlines Trustees' aspirations for next strategic plan

Board chair outlines Trustees' aspirations for next strategic plan

​Board of Trustees chair James T. Ryan visited the Jan. 10 Faculty Council meeting to discuss the board's role in university governance. Read on to hear his thoughts on the strategic planning process.​

Next strategic plan must involve choice and embrace change

Next strategic plan must involve choice and embrace change

​The landscape of higher education is changing dramatically and universities need to think in creative ways to respond. Strategic planning town hall participants recently spoke about what is distinctive at DePaul and how we might best leverage our strengths to respond to these challenges.  ​

'What do we hold dear?'

'What do we hold dear?'

​More than 100 people turned out for the October town hall meetings to share their suggestions on DePaul’s next strategic plan. Read on to learn what faculty, staff and students said DePaul must preserve for the future when budgets are tight and what the university must prioritize.​

Trustees encourage bold bets in strategic plan

Trustees encourage bold bets in strategic plan

​At its October meeting, the Board of Trustees studied DePaul's position in higher education's competitive environment and urged the university to capitalize on its strengths in response to the challenges ahead.  ​

Appointments made to strategic planning teams and task force; town halls scheduled

Appointments made to strategic planning teams and task force; town halls scheduled

​Forty-two faculty, staff and students were appointed to strategic planning committees this week, enabling development of DePaul's next strategic plan to move forward.  ​

Formation of strategic planning task force, teams underway

Formation of strategic planning task force, teams underway

​DePaul President A. Gabriel Esteban, Ph.D., set the university's next strategic planning process in motion with his first annual State of the University address. Now, a formal structure is taking shape to support the innovative thinking that will guide DePaul's future.​

Developing DePaul's next strategic plan: A discussion with Dr. Esteban

Developing DePaul's next strategic plan: A discussion with Dr. Esteban

​After years in the top echelon of higher education, President A. Gabriel Esteban, Ph.D., has ample experience driving strategic plans to fruition. The following is an edited transcript sharing his thoughts about strategic planning as DePaul plots its future.​