DePaul University Newsline > Sections > Student Spotlight
Student SpotLight
Main Content
By Grace McKinney /
December 13, 2022 /
Posted in: STUDENT SPOTLIGHT /
/
Facebook
Teaser here.
By Grace McKinney /
November 30, 2022 /
Posted in: STUDENT SPOTLIGHT /
/
Facebook
When Kellen Brown isn’t engaged in ROTC activities, he advocates for sustainability and student safety, and he serves as a student voice within various DePaul spaces to improve both.
By Grace McKinney and Jess Peterson /
October 20, 2022 /
Posted in: STUDENT SPOTLIGHT /
/
Facebook
As a queer, biracial, first-generation student, Emily Hurtarte knows how difficult it can be to find a sense of belonging. A senior neuroscience major and community service minor, Hurtarte struggled with her identity and building community at DePaul, until she found the Office of Multicultural Student Success. Now Hurtarte works to support other students in similar situations in a variety of ways.
By Christian Saulog /
June 3, 2022 /
Posted in: STUDENT SPOTLIGHT /
/
Facebook
“Take Care DePaul" is become a common phrase heard around campus, however for some staff and students, it became the driving force behind their daily work. Learn more about DePaul's free-of-charge on-campus COVID-19 testing program and the work that went into making the program all happen.
By Christian Saulog /
April 22, 2022 /
Posted in: STUDENT SPOTLIGHT /
/
Facebook
Jakob Deszcz, president of DePaul’s chapter of Habitat for Humanity,
created a park bench made entirely out of recycled plastic bags. Next month,
the university will install the bench on the Lincoln Park Campus Quad.
By Christian Saulog /
March 15, 2022 /
Posted in: STUDENT SPOTLIGHT /
/
Facebook
Rudy Rodriguez, a sophomore majoring in elementary education and minoring in special education, has one goal in mind – to become the kind... read more
By Christian Saulog /
March 1, 2022 /
Posted in: STUDENT SPOTLIGHT /
/
Facebook
The Lincoln Academy Student Laureate Award honors leadership and service in the pursuit of the betterment of humanity. This year, the organization bestowed that honor upon Ankit Pal, a senior health science major and president of the DePaul Activities Board.
By Christian Saulog /
February 4, 2022 /
Posted in: STUDENT SPOTLIGHT /
/
Facebook
In addition to classes, participation in clubs, events and research opportunities can be an important part of a DePaul student's experience on campus. Students like Kennedy Cadichon perfectly demonstrate just how much a Blue Demon can do.
By Christian Saulog /
October 22, 2021 /
Posted in: STUDENT SPOTLIGHT /
/
Facebook
For new college students, meeting people and establishing friendships often is a priority. However, it can also be a daunting task. Luckily as students enter DePaul, they have seasoned peers whose job it is to be a friendly face and early resource, including Hayden Pfeifer in the Office of New Student and Family Engagement.
By Carolyn Brinckwirth and Christian Saulog /
September 28, 2021 /
Posted in: STUDENT SPOTLIGHT /
/
Facebook
Nicole Sladkov, a junior at DePaul majoring in business administration, has proven hard work and dedication can make those Olympic dreams come true. After years of focused effort, she competed at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
By Carolyn Brinckwirth /
June 10, 2021 /
Posted in: STUDENT SPOTLIGHT /
/
Facebook
Becoming the inaugural recipient of this scholarship deepened Oliver's connection to her family's history, and it revitalized her desire to become a lawyer.
By Carolyn Brinckwirth /
May 19, 2021 /
Posted in: STUDENT SPOTLIGHT /
/
Facebook
While some students attend college right after
high school, there are others who take a different path. Joel Gonzalez, an
undergraduate student pursuing a major in business administration, decided to join the military before attending college. After eight years of success in the military, Gonzalez used his experience to apply and get accepted into DePaul University.
By Carolyn Brinckwirth /
April 16, 2021 /
Posted in: STUDENT SPOTLIGHT /
/
Facebook
The first priority in “Grounded in Mission: The Plan for DePaul 2024," is to deepen our commitment to DePaul's Catholic, Vincentian, and urban mission. Tam Ta, a third-year student pursuing a BFA in animation with a concentration in storyboarding and character design, embraces this mission each day by acting in service of others.
By Carolyn Brinckwirth /
March 5, 2021 /
Posted in: STUDENT SPOTLIGHT /
/
Facebook
Robert Dietterick, a senior political science major, credits a faculty mentor and his life-long love of education for his success at DePaul. As he rounds out his time as an undergraduate, Dietterick is making plans to pass his perseverance and political knowledge on to the next generation.
By Carolyn Brinckwirth /
January 29, 2021 /
Posted in: STUDENT SPOTLIGHT /
/
Facebook
Many college students worry about choosing a major when they start their undergraduate career. Camila Cortez, a senior studying environmental Science and McNair Scholar, had the same worries as a freshman. Although the challenge of finding a field of study she loves once haunted her, she now reflects back on her exploration of different fields fondly.
By Carolyn Brinckwirth /
June 11, 2020 /
Posted in: STUDENT SPOTLIGHT /
/
Facebook
DePaul's Dilpreet Kaur is a junior majoring in political science with a minor in sociology and member of the university's inaugural Generation Success program cohort.
By Carol Hughes /
June 10, 2020 /
Posted in: STUDENT SPOTLIGHT /
/
Facebook
Community psychology doctoral student Lidia Monjaras-Gaytan recently received word that she is an awardee of a three-year prestigious Ford Foundation Predoctoral Fellowship.
By Isabel Rejto /
May 21, 2020 /
Posted in: STUDENT SPOTLIGHT /
/
Facebook
During Ezra Lintner's studies at the College of Law, they advocated for the legal rights of people experiencing homelessness and increased awareness of social justice issues among classmates.
By Carolyn Brinckwirth /
May 15, 2020 /
Posted in: STUDENT SPOTLIGHT /
/
Facebook
As peer health educators on DePaul's the Health Education Action Team, Christine Augustin and Claire Newby strive to care for the well-being of their Blue Demon peers.
By Carolyn Brinckwirth /
April 14, 2020 /
Posted in: STUDENT SPOTLIGHT /
/
Facebook
Lily Voyles, a senior communication major with intercultural communication and hospitality minors, is no average DePaul student. Aside from keeping up with her rigorous school work, Voyles also finds time to volunteer regularly in the Chicagoland area, has visited 18 different countries, and helps organize, coordinate and plan events for the Delta Alpha Pi International Honor Society for students with disabilities. Nothing stands in the way of Voyles and her pursuits, especially not her learning disabilities.
By Carolyn Brinckwirth /
February 14, 2020 /
Posted in: STUDENT SPOTLIGHT /
/
Facebook
Caprice Morales, a student in the School of Continuing and Professional Studies, received the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning’s Learner of the Year Award.
By Carolyn Brinckwirth and Jessica Peterson /
November 8, 2019 /
Posted in: STUDENT SPOTLIGHT /
/
Facebook
Cristian Corona has always been passionate about
conducting research. A National Science Foundation Research Experience for
Undergraduates project is giving him the opportunity to gain hands-on
experience in the field, studying forest ecology in northern Wisconsin. He will
present his findings at DePaul's Undergraduate STEM Research Showcase on Nov. 8.
By Carolyn Brinckwirth /
October 11, 2019 /
Posted in: STUDENT SPOTLIGHT /
/
Facebook
Latinx Heritage Month is a time to recognize and honor people of Latinx heritage, their stories and their contributions to society. Juniors Georgina Quintana, Robbie Merkel and Jessica Camacho, and senior Scarlett Magana are Latinx students at DePaul, each engaged with the Latinx Cultural Center and their Latinidad in different ways.
By Carolyn Brinckwirth /
September 13, 2019 /
Posted in: STUDENT SPOTLIGHT /
/
Facebook
The struggle for recognition, acceptance and support resonates with people around the world. Issues involving stigmas and minority groups are being tackled in unprecedented ways. Ben Raanan, a graduate student in The Theatre School pursuing an MFA in directing and 2019 Newman Civic Fellow, has joined the fight and is challenging the traditional setting of a theatre by adapting it to accommodate differently-abled persons.
By Carolyn Brinckwirth and Jessica Peterson /
May 30, 2019 /
Posted in: STUDENT SPOTLIGHT /
/
Facebook
Living in a city, one becomes easily accustomed to the constant noise generated by humans and their daily activities. Think of the noise from transit alone: horns blaring, engines humming and trains running. It begs the question, does the noise in a cityscape ever stop? Can we experience silence and the sounds of nature, uninterrupted by human noise in an urban environment? Liam Heneghan, a professor in the Department of Environmental Science and Studies and his undergraduate research assistants set out during winter quarter to find out.
By Carolyn Brinckwirth /
April 25, 2019 /
Posted in: STUDENT SPOTLIGHT /
/
Facebook
Throughout their collegiate careers, student athletes are taught to balance academics with athletics in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle and get the most out of their college experience. Kyle Decker, a track athlete majoring in biology and minoring in chemistry, has managed to achieve this balance and be successful in both areas, while also maintaining a healthy social life and paying attention to self-care.
By Carolyn Brinckwirth /
March 21, 2019 /
Posted in: STUDENT SPOTLIGHT /
/
Facebook
Viviana Favela began her journey at DePaul almost two years ago in the fall of 2017. Now a sophomore, Favela is as busy as it gets with her dedicated involvement in Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc. and the Latinx Cultural Center, along with her major in art media & design and a minor in marketing.
By Carolyn Brinckwirth /
February 21, 2019 /
Posted in: STUDENT SPOTLIGHT /
/
Facebook
A senior communications coordinator for the Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago and student in the master’s of science in marketing program, Jenna Rummelhart came to DePaul with a drive to make a difference. After securing a scholarship through her position at the Archdiocese, DePaul’s graduate business program quickly caught her eye.
By Carolyn Brinckwirth and Jessica Peterson /
January 17, 2019 /
Posted in: STUDENT SPOTLIGHT /
/
Facebook
Michael C. Slaughter, a Marine for 34 years and current DePaul student in the School for New Learning, is using art as a medium to reshape how we support our veterans. With DePaul’s support and his own experiences reintegrating into society following a long military career and multiple deployments, Slaughter is shedding light on what is often our nation’s misunderstanding of those who risk their lives so we can live ours. Read on to learn how he advocates for veterans through art as well as his many other efforts.
By Carolyn Brinckwirth and Jessica Peterson /
December 13, 2018 /
Posted in: STUDENT SPOTLIGHT /
/
Facebook
During the summer of 2018, McNair Scholar and School of Music student Willord Simmons spent time researching music education programs in prison systems. Read on to learn how his research influenced him to make an argument against traditional music education in prisons, and substituting instead methods that could be more beneficial for incarcerated individuals.
By Carolyn Brinckwirth /
October 18, 2018 /
Posted in: STUDENT SPOTLIGHT /
/
Facebook
Now a senior at DePaul, Baylee Ritter's goal in life is to use her education to translate environmental concerns and scientific data, and create campaigns that allow the average person to create change in their own life. Read on to learn about her most recent campaign, which entailed building a boat made from garbage and sailing it down a river in Central Illinois.
By Carolyn Brinckwirth and Jessica Peterson /
September 20, 2018 /
Posted in: STUDENT SPOTLIGHT /
/
Facebook
Volunteer work is at the core of DePaul's Vincentian mission, and senior Nate Gutierrez has embraced this by volunteering to help new students move into their residence halls on move-in day. In doing so, he offers much more than simply helping bring a few items upstairs: he plays an integral part in helping new students transition to life at college.
By Carolyn Brinckwirth and Jessica Peterson /
June 7, 2018 /
Posted in: STUDENT SPOTLIGHT /
/
Facebook
Initially added on as a minor to her double-major during her senior year, philosophy quickly became Kelly Cunningham's passion. As she prepares to graduate on June 9 with a triple major in Chinese, English and philosophy and a 3.975 GPA out of the University Honors Program, Cunningham is looking ahead to a graduate degree after taking a year off. Read on to learn more about this impressive, but quite humble, Blue Demon.
By Carolyn Brinckwirth and Jessica Peterson /
May 31, 2018 /
Posted in: STUDENT SPOTLIGHT /
/
Facebook
Having never rowed before college, a chance encounter with a member of the men's rowing club at the Involvement Fair during Robert Riekhof's freshman year changed the course of his college life and potentially beyond. Now a senior in DePaul's men's rowing club, Riekhof is preparing to race for the USA World Rowing University Team this August in Shanghai.
By Jessica Peterson /
April 26, 2018 /
Posted in: STUDENT SPOTLIGHT /
/
Facebook
Almost two years into studying health sciences and public health, Stevie Rodriguez believes she has found her path by combining her passion for science and her love for helping people. Rodriguez became a peer health educator in the Office of Health Promotion and Wellness at the beginning of her junior year, and now helps coordinate events for Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
By Chae Wohn /
March 29, 2018 /
Posted in: STUDENT SPOTLIGHT /
/
Facebook
Matthew Verive always had his eye on DePaul. A senior information technology major with a concentration in web development, he currently serves as the student liturgy coordinator in Catholic Campus Ministry and the president of the Catholic Student Union. Continue reading to learn how he is celebrating the Easter season at DePaul.
By Jessica Peterson /
February 22, 2018 /
Posted in: STUDENT SPOTLIGHT /
/
Facebook
For Anna Gleyzer, a senior marketing major with a minor in hospitality, one campus involvement experience led to another, including becoming chair of the 2018 Blue Demon Week committee. Blue Demon Week, which takes place Feb. 18-24, features campus-wide activities to build school spirit and affinity for DePaul.
By Jessica Peterson /
January 25, 2018 /
Posted in: STUDENT SPOTLIGHT /
/
Facebook
Meet Haley Majetich, a senior who is a San Antonio, Texas native and relational communications major, with minors in public health, and bioethics and society. She is passionate about health education and for nearly three years has served as a peer health educator on the HEAT team. Learn more about why she joined HEAT and what it has to offer DePaul students.
By Jessica Peterson /
December 14, 2017 /
Posted in: STUDENT SPOTLIGHT /
/
Facebook
If you attended Christmas at DePaul this year, you became familiar with Michael Morrow, a senior Theatre School acting major and the narrator for this year's performances. Read on to learn more about Morrow and his most valuable experience at DePaul, so far.
By Jessica Peterson /
November 30, 2017 /
Posted in: STUDENT SPOTLIGHT /
/
Facebook
Shemar James, a DePaul senior majoring in business management with a concentration in entrepreneurship and minor in Spanish, has always had a love for the art of film. Ultimately, he believes, his studies are setting him up for success.
By Jessica Peterson /
October 26, 2017 /
Posted in: STUDENT SPOTLIGHT /
/
Facebook
Mykiliah Thompson is a senior majoring in Public Relations and Advertising with a minor in Italian Studies. She's also the founder and president of the DePaul a Capella group, Sounds of Harmony. Only in its second year, the singing group is off to a successful start.
By Chae Wohn /
September 28, 2017 /
Posted in: STUDENT SPOTLIGHT /
/
Facebook
Do you have plans to participate in Family Weekend this year? Get to know Gabe Bustoz, a third-year sociology major with a concentration in sociology of culture and game design minor, who serves as the parent and family coordinator and helps make sure the weekend is a success.