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.CHICAGO — Beginning
this NFL season, DePaul University will serve as the Proud University Partner of the Chicago Bears. The multi-year collaboration brings together two of Chicago’s highly recognized organizations and will provide DePaul students with immersive learning experiences, mentorship opportunities, and community service initiatives, alongside the Bears organization.
“DePaul is thrilled to serve as the Proud University Partner of the Chicago Bears,” said DePaul President Robert L. Manuel. “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.”
During the collaboration, Bears front office staff will participate in guest lectures, project-based coursework, and career development programming across multiple career fields. These 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.
The partnership will also integrate into
Chicago Quarter, DePaul’s signature first-year program that introduces students to the city’s neighborhoods, institutions and cultures. By engaging directly with Bears staff through this course, students will gain unique insights into leadership, teamwork and the role professional sports play in shaping communities.
“Our partnership with DePaul University reflects one of our core pillars, a commitment to education. Through this meaningful and creative partnership, we work with a first-class institution to partner on developing a pipeline for future talent in sports,” said Meka Morris, executive vice president of revenue & chief business officer for the Bears. “By giving students direct access to our organization, it's an opportunity to equip them with real-world experience, professional insight and the confidence to thrive in today’s workforce. This unique experience was made possible by working with an institution that shares our values, invests deeply in its communities and helps open doors for those who will shape Chicago’s future.”
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 in Youth Guidance’s Becoming a Man and Working on Womanhood programs, initiatives that provide mentorship, social-emotional learning, and skill-building to support young men and women across the city. The Bears have maintained a long-standing partnership with Youth Guidance for more than a decade, conducting weekly school visits during the season where players, alumni and front office members volunteer their time to mentor and connect 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. Serving side-by-side with Bears athletes and alumni will provide students with a unique opportunity to connect service, leadership and team values while addressing critical needs throughout Chicago.
“It’s an exciting time to be a fan of DePaul University and the Chicago Bears,” said Cristel Turner, DePaul’s chief branding officer. “As part of DePaul’s
new brand marketing campaign, we are creating opportunities to spotlight our unique learning approach and program offerings that create academic distinction. This partnership with the Bears provides our students with the opportunity to engage with a Chicago icon, allows our faculty to showcase innovation in the classroom, and provides important service work across Chicago’s many communities. Go Blue Demons and Go Bears!”
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Media Contact:
Russell Dorn