As more people receive COVID-19 vaccines and optimism grows this spring, we are making plans for the post-pandemic future at the Driehaus College of Business. It will not be a return to business as usual. Student expectations and our assumptions about how to learn, teach and work have changed in the 14 months since DePaul moved nearly all classes and services online to protect the health of our community. Navigating this unprecedented crisis has reshaped our opportunities and challenges, and our plans for the future must address this new reality.

Over the past year, our faculty members have strengthened their training and experience in online teaching, and we have accelerated technology upgrades to support both virtual and in-person learning. While born of necessity, these actions have empowered us to offer students more options for accessing a DePaul business education. We anticipate a return to face-to-face classes this fall, in accordance with government and public health safety guidelines, but also plan to offer a robust schedule of online classes that blend virtual real-time and asynchronous learning experiences. Recent surveys of our students indicate they value flexible learning formats that allow them to balance school, work and family responsibilities.

We also are developing more degree programs with classes entirely online to serve students who would not otherwise be able to pursue a business degree at DePaul. These programs include our Master of Science in Entrepreneurship degree, which will debut online this fall.

No matter how we deliver a DePaul business education, we remain committed to high-quality, creative and engaging teaching that connects business theory and practice for our students. This issue’s feature story profiles three faculty members who are at the forefront of our efforts to innovate in the classroom.

This fall we look forward to returning in person to the Driehaus College of Business, but when we do, it will be with sadness in our hearts because of the loss of our great friend and benefactor, Richard H. Driehaus, who died this spring.

A Triple Demon, Richard lived the quintessential DePaul story. He rose from modest means to great success as a finance pioneer in Chicago, transformed by DePaul and the Catholic, urban and Vincentian values we hold dear. Richard’s generosity to our college, DePaul and many worthy causes across our city has bettered the lives of countless people. Our college is proud to bear his name and continue his legacy through our mission to educate and serve our community.

Thomas Donley
Interim Dean
Driehaus College of Business