Notes from Rob (2024-25)

To read a​dditional statements, messages and announcements from other university leaders at DePaul, visit the Leadership Notes webpage.

Advancing our mission through collaboration

Advancing our mission through collaboration

​President Rob will collaborate in pursuit of those goals, upholding our commitment to transparency and community engagement. ​

Reflections and next steps for the President’s Dialogue Series

Reflections and next steps for the President’s Dialogue Series

​This academic year, we participated in important and at times difficult conversations through the President’s Dialogue Series, addressing both national issues and those specific to DePaul. President Rob shares next steps for the series.​

In memory of Chase Stegall

In memory of Chase Stegall

​Remembering student-athlete Chase Stegall, a member of DePaul's men's soccer team.  

Provost Ghanem to step down end of 2025-26 academic year

Provost Ghanem to step down end of 2025-26 academic year

​​After more than a decade of distinguished service in academic leadership at DePaul University, Provost Salma Ghanem has informed me of her decision to step down at the end of the next academic year.

Board approves Fiscal Year 2026 Operating and Capital Budget

Board approves Fiscal Year 2026 Operating and Capital Budget

​On May 15, DePaul University’s Board of Trustees approved a $610 million operating and capital budget for fiscal year 2026.

Our Designing DePaul work continues

Our Designing DePaul work continues

​Pre​sident Rob shares an update on Designing DePaul. 

In memory of Reanna Hammad

In memory of Reanna Hammad

DePaul University mourns the loss of master’s student in DePaul’s School of Nursing​ Reanna Hammad.

Mission and Ministry vice president search

Mission and Ministry vice president search

​​I’m pleased to announce the search for our next vice president for Mission and Ministry. This leadership role is critical to our future, especially as we get ready to implement the strategic plans which will help ensure we are defining our future success together.

Congressional hearing on antisemitism

Congressional hearing on antisemitism

President Rob Manuel shares about his testimony in front of a congressional committee, where he will speak on DePaul and our community and the work we have done related to antisemitism.​

Identity verification policy

Identity verification policy

​​Dear Faculty, Staff, and Students,At DePaul, we do everything we can to make our campuses safe and welcoming spaces for every member of our university community. As part of our commitment to the safety and wellbeing of our community members, we... read more

Commemorating Yom HaShoah through Storytelling

Commemorating Yom HaShoah through Storytelling

​President Rob invites faculty, staff, and students, to observe Yom HaShoah​ through an intercultural dialogue event. 

DePaul University mourns the death of Pope Francis

DePaul University mourns the death of Pope Francis

​President Robert L. Manuel expresses the DePaul community's mourning with the passing of Pope Francis.​

Hate crime charges

Hate crime charges

​​Last night, the Chicago Police Department and the Cook County State’s Attorney Office confirmed a person of interest tied to the antisemitic attack that occurred at DePaul on November 6, 2024 has been arrested and charged with two counts of a hate crime and two counts of aggravated battery with great bodily harm.​ 

RSVP for next Presidential Dialogue on April 16

RSVP for next Presidential Dialogue on April 16

​​Dear Faculty and Staff,Thank you to the faculty and staff who have already registered for the next session in the President’s Dialogue Series: Building a Culture of Community Care. If you would like to join the conversation and have not registered yet,... read more

Building belonging and a community of care

Building belonging and a community of care

In the face of ongoing change, what continues to be clear at DePaul is that we are a community who care deeply for one another.

U.S. Department of Education

U.S. Department of Education

​Pre​sident Rob shares updates related to the Department of Education and provides additional information for DePaul students. 

Athletics practice facility update

Athletics practice facility update

​President Rob Manuel gives updates to the DePaul community on the ongoing athletics practice facility project.​

Next presidential dialogue session: Building Belonging in higher education

Next presidential dialogue session: Building Belonging in higher education

​Pre​sident Rob Manuel invites faculty and staff to the next presidential dialogue session, which will focus on building belonging in higher education. 

Race-based programming and spending

Race-based programming and spending

​Late Friday evening, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights issued a Dear Colleague letter prohibiting race-based programming and spending at universities. We are actively assessing how this federal guidance may affect the university and will engage with our shared governance groups to inform decisions.​

Our Commitment as a mission-centered university

Our Commitment as a mission-centered university

President Rob Manuel, along with other DePaul leadership, speak to the DePaul community about how they will continue to work proactively with our state and federal leaders to assess the impact that federal policy changes will have on our community.​

Federal grant and loan freeze information

Federal grant and loan freeze information

​Univer​sity leadership explains the recent memo ordering a temporary freeze of all federal grants and loans and how the DePaul community is impacted. 

New dialogue series: The future of higher education

New dialogue series: The future of higher education

​Starting this month, DePaul will host a series of dialogues to explore the evolving landscape of higher education.  ​

Welcome to 2025: Explore new opportunities

Welcome to 2025: Explore new opportunities

​P​resident Rob welcomes the DePaul community back for the winter quarter and shares resources and events. 

Happy holidays!

Happy holidays!

​Presid​ent Rob wishes the DePaul community happy holidays and shares a video celebrating the year. 

Incident on campus today

Incident on campus today

​President Robert L. Manuel shared a statement about an incident on campus with faculty, staff and students on Nov. 6, 2024.​

Taking care of each other

Taking care of each other

​Presi​dent Rob and other DePaul leadership encourage students to take care of themselves and each other ahead of events like the 2024 election and finals season by providing a list of resources and events. 

News on student success and enrollment

News on student success and enrollment

​President Rob Manuel and ​other DePaul leadership share good news with faculty staff on enrollment and student success.

Early voting in Chicago begins today

Early voting in Chicago begins today

​Presi​dent Rob Manuel shares resources for voter registration and university policies regarding political campaign activities ahead of the Nov. 5 election. 

Draft Designing DePaul Strategic Plans

Draft Designing DePaul Strategic Plans

President Rob Manuel introduces the DePaul community to the Designing DePaul Strategic Plans. The draft document, which is now available for community input, includes strategic plans created by each college, school, and administrative area, as well as university-wide opportunities. ​

Bringing people to the table

Bringing people to the table

​President Rob Manuel and other DePaul leadership discuss the importance of St. Vincent's Feast Day and how the DePaul community embodies the values of St. Vincent. ​​

Celebrating our diverse religious community

Celebrating our diverse religious community

​President Rob Manuel, Provost Salma Ghanem, and Interim Vice President, Mission and Ministry Mark Laboe remind the DePaul community of the importance of flexibility and understanding surrounding religious observances. ​

Welcome to a new academic year!

Welcome to a new academic year!

​Pr​esident Rob Manuel welcomes students back for the 2024-25 academic year. 

Our shared expectations for our DePaul Community

Our shared expectations for our DePaul Community

​​University leadership comes together to share their expectations of the DePaul community ahead of a new academic year.

President Rob Manuel's 2024 Academic Convocation Remarks

President Rob Manuel's 2024 Academic Convocation Remarks

​Good morning. It’s great to see you all. I look forward to catching up at this afternoon’s celebration. It is always energizing to start the school year. As I speak with our new families and returning students, I feel inspired by their aspirations and the way that they look at the opportunities ahead of them.  ​