From DePaul Amenities to Chicago Streets, Here’s How To Power Your Fitness Journey at Kellstadt
By Mikey Weingartner
DePaul University and the vibrant city of Chicago offer far more than just places to work out. They’re gateways to building strength, connection, and community
In this article, we’ll explore the dynamic ways Kellstadt students can stay active, from campus clubs to iconic lakefront runs, and discover how fitness here fuels both body and belonging.
The Ray Meyer Fitness Center
Located in the heart of Lincoln Park, the Ray Meyer Fitness Center offers DePaul students a full range of wellness resources from personal training and group classes to intramurals and open gym access. As a Kellstadt student, your membership to “The Ray” is free, making it easy to stay active between classes and work. Personally, I’ve found the weight room especially useful for getting in a focused lift and clearing my head after a busy day.
DePaul’s Loop Campus features a fitness facility located within the College of Computing and Digital Media (CDM) building, offering convenient access for all Kellstadt students. While smaller in scale than the Ray Meyer Fitness Center, this gym provides a practical option for staying active between classes or during breaks downtown. It’s ideal for students seeking quick, accessible workouts without leaving the Loop.
The Chicago Lakefront Trail is one of the city’s most iconic outdoor assets, and it’s a perfect resource for Kellstadt students looking to stay active and explore beyond campus. Stretching 18 miles along Lake Michigan, the trail offers stunning skyline views, access to beaches and parks, and a safe, scenic route for running, biking, or walking. Whether you’re squeezing in a workout between classes or unwinding after a long day, the lakefront is a free, energizing way to connect fitness with the rhythms of city life.
Chicago’s running scene is full of energy, community, and opportunity, especially for Kellstadt students looking to stay active and meet new people. From the structured training programs of CARA to the inclusive vibes of 3RUN2 and GumboFit, the city offers run clubs for every pace and personality. These groups host weekly runs across neighborhoods, support race training, and foster strong social networks. Whether you’re chasing a marathon goal or just want to meet fellow runners, joining a club is a great way to stay fit and plugged into Chicago’s vibrant fitness culture.
Intramural sports at DePaul offer Kellstadt students a fun, low-pressure way to stay active and connect with peers from across campus. Whether you’re into basketball, soccer, volleyball, or dodgeball, there’s a wide range of leagues and tournaments open to all skill levels. It’s a great way to unwind, build teamwork, and enjoy some friendly competition outside the classroom. With flexible scheduling and a welcoming atmosphere, intramurals make it easy to balance fitness with a busy grad school routine.
Other Free Fitness Opportunities in Chicago
Chicago offers a wide range of free fitness sessions that make it easy for Kellstadt students to stay active without spending a dime. From outdoor yoga in Millennium Park to community-led bootcamps along the lakefront, the city’s parks and neighborhoods host regular workouts open to all. Local organizations and studios often team up with the Chicago Park District to offer pop-up classes in everything from dance to HIIT. These sessions are a great way to explore the city, meet new people, and add variety to your fitness routine—all while keeping your budget intact
By Karan Chadda, MS Audit and Advisory Services student and KGSB ambassador
Graduate school is about much more than attending classes. It’s a journey of building skills, leadership, and career momentum every day. As an MS student balancing academics, student organizations, and career preparation, I’ve learned that structure and intentionality are key to making the most of this experience.
Staying organized and taking advantage of resources
My day starts early, 5:30 AM to be exact. I use the quiet morning hours to plan my schedule, set daily goals, and prioritize tasks. One personal rule I follow religiously is to complete assignments at least one day before they are due. This approach reduces last-minute stress and gives me time to refine my work whenever needed.
Graduate school is about much more than attending classes. It’s a journey of building skills, leadership, and career momentum every day.
Before starting my day, I check my university Outlook inbox, DeHub notifications, and Handshake alerts to stay up to date on upcoming events, deadlines, and career opportunities. I rely heavily on platforms like 12Twenty, Handshake where I track internship applications, and D2L for managing all course communications and materials. Since most of my classes are in the evenings, I utilize my mornings and afternoons for everything else like studying at the library, working on group projects, attending student organization meetings, participating in events across both Loop Campus and Lincoln Park Campus, and preparing for upcoming opportunities. This structure allows me to fully engage in both academic and professional development activities.
Life outside the classroom
Chadda and teammates at a PwC case competition
I’m actively involved in two student organizations, where I help plan events, collaborate with students from diverse nationalities and academic programs, and participate in initiatives that build leadership and teamwork skills. These experiences have broadened my perspective and strengthened my ability to work across different backgrounds and ideas. In addition to student organization work, I make a conscious effort to utilize university resources. I visit the Career Management Center (CMC) about once a month for career advising, resume reviews, and long-term planning. I also use resume and interview preparation resources as needed, making sure my professional materials are polished and ready whenever opportunities arise.
A highlight from today was attending a Global Conversation on Clean Energy Solutions for Cars, which brought together students from India, Ghana, Cameroon, Rwanda, and Chicago. Listening to perspectives on clean energy innovation, infrastructure challenges, and future transportation trends broadened my understanding of how interconnected and regionally diverse global solutions must be. Engaging with peers from different parts of the world added a new dimension to my learning outside the classroom.
Finding balance
Every class, event, and conversation are helping shape the professional I aim to become, one step at a time, one day at a time.
In the evenings, I attend my in-person, online synchronous, or asynchronous classes. I always prefer attending sessions in person, as it creates stronger engagement with the subject, professors, and classmates. Evening classes allow me to concentrate fully, building on the work and preparation I’ve done throughout the day.
Having a balance between structured evening classes, morning and afternoon leadership activities, and continuous career development has made my MS journey both dynamic and rewarding. Every class, event, and conversation are helping shape the professional I aim to become, one step at a time, one day at a time.
About the author
Karan (Kay) Chadda, an international student originally from Chandigarh, India, graduated in Spring 2025 with a Master’s in Audit and Advisory Services from DePaul University in Chicago. He is a licensed CPA in the state of Illinois with a strong passion for corporate governance, internal controls, and advisory services. Post-graduation, Kay plans to work in the corporate audit or advisory field, helping organizations improve financial integrity and risk management. Outside of work, he enjoys running by Lake Michigan, exploring Chicago’s architecture, discovering new food spots, and keeping up with global business trends.
By Dhanush “DJ” Jaiswal
I’m a full-time grad student juggling academics, HR work, consulting, and campus life. Come along with me for a day in my life!
Let’s take this week. The day kicked off at 7 a.m. with some Bollywood music playing in the background… not to convince myself to get going, but because I love what I do and I show up ready. By 8:30, I was on the CTA heading into the Loop. Classic Chicago vibes: half-asleep riders, someone watching reels without headphones, and that unmistakable aroma of Dunkin’ and Starbucks swirling through the air in the train.
I reached the Loop Campus by 9:30 and settled into the HR office by 10. First up? Making a to-do list, a few internal updates, then a team check-in to prep for a nonprofit consulting call later that day. Around noon, I was finalizing event details with the SHRM DePaul team. We’ve been planning DePaul’s first-ever in-person HR networking event, and it’s coming up fast. After work, I made a quick stop at the library to finish some readings and polish our BOSCH project deliverables.
It was somewhere between group messages and the quiet buzz of the library that I thought, “This is exactly why I’m here.”
Hi, I’m Dhanush Jaiswal…but most people just call me DJ.
I’m a full-time international student in my fourth quarter of the MS in Human Resources program at DePaul. Before grad school, I spent six years working in the corporate industry, four of those at Deloitte in HR Global Mobility Strategy, Reporting & Analytics, and earlier at Amazon. I didn’t come to DePaul to start over; I came here to level up.
This quarter, I’m enrolled in Consulting Skills, one of the most practical classes I’ve taken. As part of it, I’m working with a nonprofit client on a real HR issue. While I can’t share the details (consultant code!), the experience has been energizing. It’s not a simulation — it’s the real deal with comes with lot of learnings and guidance from the instructor and that’s the best part about being a DePaul student.
Another standout experience is the BOSCH Project, offered through the DePaul HR program. All MSHR students are working alongside BOSCH professionals, learning how different teams and roles function, and applying what we’ve learned to support strategic alignment efforts. It’s the kind of work that makes you forget you’re in school because it feels like the job already.
Evening class kicked off at 6. We discussed stakeholder relationships, and I couldn’t help but smile, I’d just applied that very concept in our client call hours earlier. After class, I caught up briefly with my team, then headed home, cooked dinner, and called my family in India (shoutout to time zones for keeping me on my toes).
And honestly, there’s still so much more I could talk about.
If you’re curious about the program, the projects, or just want to chat, feel free to reach out, drop me an email, or stop me on campus. I’m always happy to share.
So yeah, that’s just one day. Every day looks a little different at my end, but the energy, the learning, and my love for all things HR — that’s constant.
And that’s exactly what I signed up for.
By Noelle Rotte, MBA student and VP of Communications and Outreach for the Kellstadt Collective
As a first-year student at the Kellstadt Graduate School for Business (KGSB), navigating the endless opportunities and organizations on campus is both exhilarating and overwhelming. However, amidst all the options available, one organization that stands out as a beacon of inclusivity, collaboration, and professional growth is the Kellstadt Collective.
My introduction to the Kellstadt Collective began with the opportunity to revamp the organization through my position as a graduate assistant. I have been able to work with four other MBA students to relaunch a group open to all of KGSB. Little did I know that the Kellstadt Collective was destined to become a cornerstone of my experience at DePaul.
A Successful First Event
Our first event, a study break/happy hour in the Fall Quarter, exceeded all expectations with nearly 70 students in attendance. Our event was located at 2Twenty2 Tavern, just a block away from DePaul’s Loop Campus. We brought together students from all Kellstadt programs, including the MBA and M.S. degrees in marketing, business analytics, hospitality leadership, finance, economics, accounting, supply chain management and many more. This event allowed KGSB students to meet new people outside of their program while grabbing a bite to eat and drinking a cocktail or two.
The success of this event is a testament to Kellstadt students’ desire for more in-person events tied with the ability to make meaningful connections in the KGSB community.
Looking ahead, we plan to hold a professional development event in the winter quarter and have other events, both professional and informal, in the pipeline. Kellstadt students — stay tuned!
From “Partners” to “Collective”
The Kellstadt Collective stemmed from the organization previously known as Kellstadt Partners. While the mission of the revamped organization is aligned closely with the original group’s mission, the leadership of the 2023-24 academic year felt compelled to redefine the group’s essence.
In particular: We felt that the term “partners” suggested a space for spouses or significant others, veering away from the essence of inclusion that truly defined the organization. The name Kellstadt Collective emerged because we wanted to embody a community built on the inclusion of all KGSB students.
We then decided to create a mission centered around the growth and inclusion of KGSB students. Our mission aims to:
- Foster an inclusive environment of collaboration, professional growth, and shared success by leveraging the diverse talents and backgrounds of our members.
- Build a dynamic community of forward-thinkers, innovators, and business leaders.
- Provide robust networking opportunities, enriching professional development experiences, and harnessing the collective spirit of DePaul University’s Kellstadt Graduate School of Business.
Our Leadership Team
Driving the mission of the Kellstadt Collective is a dynamic leadership team, spearheaded by Noah Wallin as President, Noelle Rotte (myself) as VP of Communications and Outreach, Ashlee Bakunowicz as VP of Professional Development and Treasurer, Claude Mueller as VP of Event Coordination, and Niara Tomlinson as VP of Digital Marketing (featured below from left to right).
Each of us has a different background, with some born and raised in the Chicago area, while others are new to this city. Our leadership team was brought together through a Kellstadt Career Managment Center Graduate Assistantship, and we are committed to revitalizing the Kellstadt Collective and enhancing the KGSB experience.
Inclusive Engagement: How to Get Involved
Getting involved in the Kellstadt Collective is easy! The best ways to stay up to date are by following us on online platforms such as LinkedIn, Instagram, and DeHub. Our events are open to every Kellstadt Graduate Business student, so we welcome you to join our community.
As I head into my second quarter of my MBA, I reflect on how the leadership team came together to re-energize the Kellstadt Collective community. I am looking forward to the many networking events and growth opportunities that will come from the Kellstadt Collective. I hope you are too.
By Lauren Somers
This spring, the Kellstadt Marketing Group (KMG), a graduate student organization at DePaul’s business school, organized its annual KMG Marketing Symposium. The one-day event included an impressive lineup of speakers who provided a range of marketing advice. This year’s theme was “Igniting the Future, Making Your Mark” with a focus on entrepreneurship, recruitment and digital transformation. Speakers from a variety of different businesses, experience levels and walks of life joined us to share their perspectives on how to ignite the future of marketing – with DePaul students leading the charge.
Rejuvenated by seeing my peers’ faces in person, the symposium was full of insights. Below are three top takeaways that are still ringing in my marketing ears:
1. The future of marketing is female.
Joined by the extremely talented and enlightening keynote speaker Bridget Brennan, CEO and founder of the Female Factor, we heard and discussed the rising economic and buying power of women. More than 40% of households with kids have a mom who is the primary or only caregiver; 51% of wealth is held by women in today’s market; and 52% of managers are women. The female buyer was once a secondary market, but today, women’s buying power must be valued and captured in every advertising campaign – and this doesn’t just mean making products pink.
2. Becoming a successful entrepreneur has many pathways. Your path can be unique too.
Next, we heard from a panel of DePaul entrepreneurs with businesses ranging from Indian pizza restaurants to Latin American-focused beauty brands. Although the panelists came from different backgrounds and had different reasons for becoming self-employed entrepreneurs, they all shared a similar set of tools for success.
The first tool is your gut. The clear consensus from the entrepreneurship panel was to trust your gut and follow your business instincts. You paid for a DePaul degree for a reason!
The second tool is your unique background and experiences. For Jay Patel, founder of Moti Café and Masala Pizza Company, he found success through his targeted experiences working at different cafes and restaurants, such as Starbucks and Chipotle. Jay used his experiences to differentiate himself from his competitors by learning from workers on the frontlines to build a business model that starts with the customer.
Finally, the panel said that you cannot be a successful entrepreneur without outside help. Entrepreneurs, by nature, want to do it all and do the best. You must accept help from those who offer, and seek it from mentors and peers who can provide gaps in your knowledge. Just like any other job or industry, entrepreneurs must network to be successful.
3. Breaking into the marketing world is tough, but once you know the tricks, you’ll land the gig.
As a former career coach, I found the recruitment panel to be the most interesting. The panel consisted of professional career coaches, like our very own Martin McGovern (BUS ’10), founder of Career Therapy, as well as industry recruiters, such as LinkedIn Senior Recruiter MaryAnn Gibney. From both sides of the career wall, the message was clear: don’t lose yourself in the hiring process. DePaul students offer a unique set of skills and experiences that make us the perfect fit for the right company – you just have to find your fit.
Some good news about the ever-changing career world? Companies are just as clueless as candidates. If two to three years of required experience is holding you back from applying to a job, consider your experience from internships and student organization leadership roles. Does the job description seem the same as the last four you applied to? It probably is, so worry less about checking off every one of those preferred qualification bullets. Just because companies are looking for a unicorn, doesn’t mean they won’t happily train a zebra.
Most importantly, use the resources DePaul provides. Use Vmock, which is available to all Kellstadt students, to edit and tailor your résumé; take advantage of the Alumni Sharing Knowledge Network to connect with the DePaul community; and check Handshake for career fairs and job opportunities. The best way to succeed at finding a marketing job is to use all the tools you have at your disposal to represent yourself clearly to the world.
With another great annual KMG Symposium behind us, I look forward to what is to come for next year’s event and the DePaul students who are igniting the future of marketing.
Lauren Somers graduated from Denison University in 2018 with a bachelor’s degree in political science, concentrating in data analytics. She is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Marketing at the Kellstadt Graduate School of Business, and plans to focus on digital marketing. She enjoys living in the Logan Square neighborhood in Chicago with her significant other and her golden retriever, Kai.
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