North Park has served five generations of students and continues to grow in diversity, academic relevance, and Christian commitment. Our Chicago location is a great asset that reflects the School’s global reach and outlook.
After 125 years, we’ve learned how to streamline the process of helping qualified applicants seek admission to North Park and find affordable ways to attend. If you don’t see what you’re looking for on our website, please contact us directly!
North Park offers more than 40 graduate and undergraduate programs in liberal arts, sciences, and professional studies. Classes average 17 students. 84% of our faculty have terminal degrees. Academics here are rigorous and results-oriented.
North Park Theological Seminary prepares you to answer the call to service through theological study, spiritual development, and the formative experiences of living in a community with others on a similar life path.
The Office of Alumni Engagement fosters lifelong connections by engaging alumni with the university and one another in activities, programs, and services that support the university’s mission and alumni needs.
President Mary K. Surridge served as the keynote speaker at the University Club of Chicago to address preparing graduates with skills matching employer needs. As part of a new initiative, North Park is partnering with the Alliance of Businesses and Colleges in Illinois.
November 13, 2019–CHICAGO — North Park University President Mary K. Surridge opened the conversation about how to prepare students for in-demand careers at a roundtable sponsored by the Associated Colleges of Illinois (ACI) last Friday at the University Club of Chicago.
North Park is leading the way in a new initiative, the Alliance of Businesses and Colleges in Illinois. The initiative is inspired by Capital CoLAB in the Greater Washington, D.C area, which pairs colleges with the tech industry to equip graduates with skills matching employer needs.
“We are gaining a closer understanding of what employers want and how we as institutions can better prepare our students,” said Gregor Thuswaldner, North Park’s Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences.
The roundtable included local business representatives, who agreed students should develop a career plan prior to graduation, and to think of how they can apply their major to an actual job.
Recruiter Kate Rinnan with Starcom Worldwide offered, “invite industry to co-develop a curriculum.”
“Our mission is very sound: we leverage every aspect of the city and prepare our students to be innovators as they study, live and work in an intercultural environment,” said Surridge, referring to North Park’s city-centered mission.
President Mary K. Surridge
Integrating in-the-classroom with off-campus experiential learning opportunities shows students first-hand how to apply their skills to meet real business needs.
“As a Christian, city-centered, intercultural university, our faculty and staff are committed to graduating students to be ethically sound, while balancing both independent and collaborative decisions,” Surridge said.
Equipping students with resources like resume writing, internships, and interview preparedness is important.
“Graduates emerge strong and inspired with skills to make an immediate contribution,” Surridge said.
Darrell Radson, Dean of the Goodwin College of Business at Benedictine University, encouraged students to create a career roadmap.
“More talk about careers and less on majors can match skill development with career development,” Radson said.
To address these needs, North Park has instituted a hands-on experiential learning curriculum.
“With the pressure of justifying the value of a degree, we make it a priority to offer students in-the-field learning experiences to take back to their current and future employers,” Surridge said.
Full-time undergraduate student raising two young children and studying biomedical science. A native of Iraq and a first-generation college student, Hawra Alshamary is in her third year at North Park.
Hawra Alshamary
As a non-traditional full-time undergraduate student at North Park, Hawra Alshamary has overcome many challenges when it comes to juggling both family life and studies. A native of Iraq and a first-generation college student, Alshamary is in her third year of studying biomedical science while raising two children. A love for biology and a desire to work in the medical field inspires Alshamary to pursue her goals. Alshamary maintains a full class schedule, while also caring for her two-and-a-half-year-old daughter and four-year-old son.
While her mother and sister have helped her significantly, she also praises the North Park faculty.
“The professors are very accommodating, says Alshamary. It’s a very supportive environment. They definitely take my circumstances into consideration.”
Before attending North Park, Alshamary took classes at a community college. She describes feeling flustered while researching and applying to universities until she discovered North Park’s strong STEM department. Soon after, she applied and was accepted.
“I just really believe in taking the good that comes your way,” she says. “I felt like I was guided this way, so I just took it.”
After North Park, Alshamary plans to earn at least a master’s degree. She is debating between the respiratory care program at Rush University, or taking a more research-oriented route in order to spend more time with her children. Whatever direction she chooses, Alshamary wants to make a difference.
As a first-generation college student, Alshamary is determined to be the first in her family to earn a college degree. She was born in Iraq but grew up in Chicago, accentuating how grateful she is to be at North Park with the opportunity to receive a quality education.
Reflecting on the importance of education to her, Alshamary says, “It’s such a blessing that you really don’t understand growing up. It helps me know who I am, interact with others and just have a better outlook on life in general.”
North Park develops a new co-pastor model for leadership in campus ministry and promotes Rev. Terence Gadsden to Campus Co-Pastor/Athletic Chaplain.
Rev. Terence Gadsden Named Co-Pastor
Campus Co-Pastor/Athletic Chaplain
After a comprehensive review, North Park University has established a new co-pastor model for leadership in campus ministry, with each co-pastor providing leadership in chapel plus an auxiliary ministry.
Rev. Dr. Deb Auger, Acting Dean of Chapel, announced that Rev. Terence Gadsden has accepted the promotion to Campus Co-Pastor/Athletic Chaplain and began his new role October 2019.
A search for the other position, Campus Co-Pastor/Chaplain of Outreach, was launched at the same time. This new role will include urban outreach as well as a focus reaching students on campus. In the interim, Rev. Gadsden will serve as the point person for urban outreach.
“Terence Gadsden is a deeply devoted follower of Jesus, a dynamic pastor and a humble leader,” said North Park University President Mary K. Surridge. “He is committed to the mission of North Park and the spiritual growth and development of our students. We are delighted that he will serve in this important role, we are committed to the next steps of a search, and we are all energized by the possibility that this new model of leadership can offer our students a healthy campus ministry.”
Rev. Gadsden was raised in Tinton Falls, NJ and Charleston, SC. A star athlete in high school, he attended Milligan College, a Christian liberal arts school in East Tennessee, on a cross-country athletic scholarship. He came to Chicago in 2003 and served for 12 years as student pastor and worship pastor at Lawndale Christian Community Church. He earned his Master of Divinity at Northern Theological Seminary.
“I’m grateful and humbled for the opportunity to continue to serve the entire North Park Community as Co-Campus Pastor & Athletic Chaplain,” Rev. Gadsden said.
Rev. Dr. Auger said, “Terence is uniquely gifted and prepared to step into his new role. We are confident he will serve the North Park students with a strong and stable pastoral presence and make a significant contribution toward the future of University Ministries. As an effective and creative leader, Terence will now have an even greater ministry impact in his new role.”
North Park hosted the Chicago Research Summit Oct. 18, a gathering for university faculty and staff, librarians, heads of cultural institutions, and community organizers to exchange ideas about promoting civic engagement.
North Park hosted the Chicago Research Summit Oct. 18, a gathering for university faculty and staff, librarians, heads of cultural institutions, and community organizers to exchange ideas about promoting civic engagement.
Attendees from local universities, including North Park, DePaul, and Columbia, joined librarians from the Chicago Public Library and City of Chicago officials to discuss ways to get undergraduate students more excited about their hometown of Chicago.
North Park Professor Peter St. Jean, chair of the Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice, was a speaker at the summit, which consisted of numerous break-out sessions and panel discussions. His topic: “From Social Problems to Social Promise: Teaching Undergraduate Students at North Park University How to Conduct Social Promise, Peaceology, and Better News Research.
This is the framework St. Jean uses in all his teaching.
“For instance, while in the traditional Social Problems approach researchers ask ‘why is there so much violence in Chicago?’ in the Social Promise tradition, we ask, ‘why isn’t there even more violence in Chicago?’ St. Jean explains. “The findings of this new approach to questioning provide remarkable insights to the students and their audiences.”
Other panel discussions included “Demystifying the Museum Experience: Using DePaul Art Museum (DPAM) in your courses.” In that session, art professors from DePaul gave useful suggestions for how to help students engage with artwork. Collection and Exhibition Manager Laura-Caroline Johnson handed out a copy of a photograph currently on display at DPAM, and asked participants to write observations about the painting.
The exercise is useful in getting students to make art personal and get even more out of it, Johnson says.
North Park Professor of History David Koeller spoke about his “Food in History” course, in which his students make a five-minute documentary on the food culture of a Chicago neighborhood. He shared how he prepared his students for the project by analyzing documentaries, developing research techniques, and learning film production basics.
The general goal of the Chicago Research Summit, say organizers, is “To provide a platform to share successful pedagogical strategies for engaging undergraduates in research about Chicago.
North Park senior Noor Alyasiry received two prestigious scholarships to study abroad this past summer: the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship and the Fund for Education Abroad.
North Park senior Noor Alyasiry received two prestigious scholarships to study abroad this past summer: the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship and the Fund for Education Abroad. As Noor prepared her applications for study abroad, she wasn’t sure how she would source the travel funds. Study Abroad Advisor Tessa Zanoni stepped in to help Noor identify and secure the scholarships she needed.
Tessa knew that as a commuter student, Muslim American woman, and pre-med biology major, Noor would be a strong applicant for the prestigious Gilman International Scholarship — a US Department of State grant with a focus on supporting students who have been historically underrepresented in education abroad. Similarly, the Fund for Education Abroad, while selecting from a competitive application pool, was a strong match for Noor’s qualifications and needs.
Tessa was also able to assist Noor in choosing the best study abroad program for her. Noor was set to graduate in December 2019, so her study abroad courses needed to match her final credit requirements. “Tessa gave me hope and reassurance about the applications and essays.” said Noor. “She always had time to see me and was with me throughout the entire process, checking classes to ensure they met my requirements.”
Noor chose to study at the American College of Greece, one of few schools that she found to offer upper level biology courses during the summer term. Noor would attend the college along with a group of students from across the globe, experiencing Greece and its culture together. “It was a big culture shock when I first arrived there. Not everyone spoke English, so it was a bit of a roadblock. We were able to communicate with locals through hand gestures, so it worked out in the end.”
Along with the culture shock came Noor’s first truly independent experience. Traveling on her weekends breaks, Noor visited Rome, Paris, Vienna, Cairo, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Barcelona, and more. “My favorite place was Amsterdam. Although we walked 12 miles that day, it was amazing.” It was travelling from city to city, country to country that helped Noor become more independent quickly. “I benefited a lot from the trips because we had to control it ourselves. Being on my own made me more independent.”
Noor attributes much of her decision to study abroad to the support she received from NPU’s Office of International affairs. “Tessa was a big part of it all. If it wasn’t for her support, the scholarships would have seemed out of reach.” The support didn’t stop after Noor began her journey to Greece, as Tessa continued to check in with her throughout the summer.
Noor is now busy in her last semester and getting ready to take the next steps towards becoming a physician: studying for the MCAT and applying to medical school. Looking back at her time at North Park, Noor is grateful for the experiences that have prepared her for what’s next. “I came to NPU last minute, and when I got here it felt like the best decision of my life.”
You can read more about Noor’s summer travels on her FEA blog.
As part of a joint commitment to prepare more undergraduate students in careers as highly qualified scientists, engineers, and technicians, the National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded North Park University with a $650,000 grant.
As part of a joint commitment to prepare more undergraduate students in careers as highly qualified scientists, engineers, and technicians, the National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded North Park University with a $650,000 grant. As part of the grant, North Park will select 20 first-year students, each of whom will receive a $5,000 annual scholarship for four years. The grant will fund:
$20k over the four-year period
Two cohorts of 10 students; 20 students total
Undergraduate degree-seeking students majoring in physics/engineering or biology
STEM-focused, urban industry immersion program
Guided by faculty, the STEM Scholars Cohort learn on-and off-campus in a hands-on curriculum, with a focus on biology, physics or engineering.
“The Scholars engage in authentic, immersive, and experiential learning with industry, government, and our partners such as ComEd, Argonne National Lab, and MC Machinery Systems,” said North Park’s STEM Scholars Cohort Advisor Dr. Eric Brown.
“The industry partners, combined with working alongside faculty, prepare students for direct entry into the workforce or graduate school,” said Dr. Brown.
The program includes undergraduate research, internships, class projects, and one-on-one academic and career advising. The cohort is guided by faculty to foster strong connections within the industry and to help students develop job skills and knowledge about science and engineering-oriented careers.
As part of NSF’s initiative, the North Park STEM Scholars Cohort advisory committee is seeking a diverse cohort.
“All eligible students entering North Park as freshman during the Fall 2020 semester interested in pursuing a research career in physics, engineering, or the biological sciences are encouraged to apply,” said Dr. Brown.
North Park and its state-of-the-art science facilities, established experiential learning curriculum, and dedicated faculty will be available to the inaugural cohort.
“This historic award will be absolutely transformational in the lives of our STEM students,” said President Mary K. Surridge. “The grant represents a tremendous amount of excellent work by our distinguished faculty.”
Space is limited to 20 incoming first-year scholarship recipients. Applications now being accepted for the 2020-2021 inaugural cohort.
Transitioning into college can often be difficult, scary, and stressful—here are sophomore Macayla Dowling’s top ten recommendations for making the most of your first year.
Top Ten Ways to Survive—and Thrive—During Freshman Year of College
A blog post by North Park Sophomore Macayla Dowling
Transitioning into college can often be difficult, scary, and stressful—especially if you are moving far away from home. Last year, I moved seven hours away from my small, rural community; needless to say, Chicago’s urban lifestyle was a major change for me. While my first year at North Park was one of the most trying years of my life, it was also one of the most successful years of my life. That said, here are my top ten recommendations for surviving—and even thriving—during your first year as a college student.
1. Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone
Moving so far away from home and everything I have ever known was a huge leap out of my comfort zone, but I would not change it for the world. My first few weeks at North Park were awfully difficult, but pushing myself beyond what I found comfortable led to a year full of growth and life-changing experiences, which, I’ve come to realize, is exactly what college is all about. Seize every opportunity that comes to you—especially the ones outside of your comfort zone. Try new things and attend events you do not typically see yourself participating in because you might end up finding something that you really enjoy or making new friends!
2. Stay organized
Assignments and activities tend to build up quickly; the best way to keep everything under control is to stay organized. I find keeping separate folders, notebooks, or binders for each class really helps me keep track of everything. I never felt the need in high school to keep an academic planner because my assignments were easy to remember. As a college student, my philosophy has completely changed; I would be so lost without my planner. Recording everything—such as upcoming assignments and meetings—in an academic planner or your phone calendar is an extremely helpful way to stay on top of things.
3. Get involved with programs, teams, and clubs
My first semester at North Park I participated in the Catalyst program, where I met so many friendly people and learned a lot about Chicago. I even found something I was passionate about through my practicum. Fortunately, North Park offers an abundance of ways to get involved on campus. Programs—such as Catalyst, CRUX, or COMPASS—are perfect opportunities to build close relationships and engage in the city of Chicago. Joining sports teams, intramurals, and clubs are also great for meeting new people while pursuing interests. In order to enhance your college experience, I highly recommend getting involved with at least one organization.
4. Go to class, take notes, and don’t procrastinate
I found that one of the best ways to succeed in classes is to actually attend them. Although going to class may become tedious (especially near the end of the semester), it is still important to be present. Taking notes in class benefits me greatly when it comes to essays and exams, but notes can only be taken while attending class. Another tip for success is to procrastinate as little as possible; I attempt to get assignments done early because it guarantees that they will be turned in on time and allows more time for fun or relaxing because I’m not stressing out about assignments.
5. Attend campus events
Campus events help break the monotony of classes and assignments, so I always keep an eye out for fliers posted around campus. From Catalyst on Campus to the Cram Jam (my personal favorite), North Park hosts tons of events throughout the year. Attending campus events is another good way to meet new people, hang out with friends, or even learn something new. The best part about campus events is that they typically provide some type of free food, which is every college student’s ultimate dream.
6. Get a job
Let’s face it, college students aren’t exactly the wealthiest demographic; fortunately, there are numerous jobs available both on and off campus. During my second semester, I found that I had huge gaps in my schedule and decided that getting a job would be an incredibly productive way to fill those gaps. I constantly searched Career Hub and found a position as a student writer for University Marketing and Communications. As an English major, I really enjoy my job and found that working with UMC has provided me with beneficial work experience and has especially strengthened my writing skills.
7. Dedicate time to have fun
During the week, I work diligently, but I always reward myself by declaring Saturday a homework free day. I often find myself getting ice cream, discovering new things in the city, or playing board games with friends. College is often stressful, but that does not mean that it cannot be fun; it’s all about finding the perfect balance between productivity and excitement. Don’t don’t be afraid to set aside time each week to do something that makes you happy.
8. Keep in touch with your friends and family
Every day, I make sure to at least text my friends and family to let them know that I am thinking of them no matter the distance between us. Maintaining relationships with people from home is just as important as establishing new relationships at school, because while your new transition may be difficult for you, odds are that it is also difficult for them. No matter how busy you are, be sure to connect with your friends and family at least once a week to update them on how you’re doing and find out what’s going on back at home.
9. Explore the city
My heart was set on Chicago while searching for where to further my education, so when I got to North Park, I utilized my newfound freedom to begin exploring. Whether it be through one of the programs that North Park offers or with friends, get to know the city you live in. No two neighborhoods in Chicago are the same, making it an excellent city to immerse yourself in different cultures. It seems as if there is always an event happening somewhere; not to mention, there is a plethora of free activities to enjoy and over 7,300 restaurants to try. When using your Ventra card and Google Maps, the possibilities are endless!
10. Relax
I have noticed that I always feel like I need to be doing something productive, so I often need to remind myself to take a breather. Sometimes college can feel like a tremendous balancing act between classes, assignments, social life, and extracurricular activities. While it is important to focus on all of those, it is also vital to your health to incorporate time to yourself into the mix. Know that it’s okay to watch Netflix or take a much-needed nap from time to time. Make sure you are allowing yourself to relax after working hard; you deserve it!
North Parker Justin Molina C’17 raised $3,500 via family and friends to bring video game consoles to patients at Chicago’s Lurie Children’s Hospital.
North Parker Justin Molina C’17 raised $3,500 via family and friends to bring video game consoles to patients at Chicago’s Lurie Children’s Hospital. Now, he is partnering with a local company to bring more of the consoles to his young patients, many of whom are confined to their rooms due to their illnesses.
“The kids are in isolation…So being able to bring the entertainment to them gives them a sense of normalcy that is very important,” said Molina, whose story was featured recently on NBC Chicago’s evening news broadcast.
Tips from current students for your first move-in day.
North Park students all have different experiences while moving in. As part of North Park culture, all of your RAs and some other current students will be on the curb to greet you with sweaty t-shirts and smiling faces. They’re just as excited about moving in as you are, and they’ll help you get all of your things into your new room.
Here are some comments from people around campus who recall the first time they moved in and want to give you an advantage they didn’t have before moving in:
“Get a mini-fridge. It will keep your drinks cold and give you more versatile options for snacking.” – Male, Class of 2019
“Don’t over-pack; and be nice to your parents, they’re really trying to help.” – Female, Class of 2018
“Box fans, box fans, box fans.” – Male, Class of 2018
“Organize your belongings in boxes while moving out of your house, that way you know where everything is once you move in.” – Female, Class of 2018
“You don’t need everything you think you need.” – Male, Class of 2018
“Don’t be afraid to leave your door open to invite people in.” – Male, Class of 2019
It’s the second day of class. We had our introduction exercises in our first class, and the syllabus was presented too. We won’t be wasting any more time; the real deal starts today. My roommate comes in sweaty; of course, they woke up to meet the gym as it opened. Maybe you’ll get a roommate like that too.
10 am: Coffee
Starbucks or Einstein’s Bagels & Co.? Luckily neither is a difficult choice as the former is across the street and the latter in the Johnson Center. I prefer the snack variety at Einstein’s.
12 pm: Lunchin’
I ordered ahead of time to get my pack lunch at Einstein’s, it does cost a meal swipe, but this way I can sit outside or find a quiet spot in the Johnson Center to call my family, because they call. Every. Single. Day.
2 pm: Catalyst 606__
Some of my friends already have their Catalyst class session now. There are two every semester per afternoon class. I’ve got one of mine next week. We’ve got U-Passes, that means we have unlimited travel on the CTA, Chicago’s train and bus systems, so Millennium Park here we come. We can still explore the city without the class.
6 pm: ARA
Back on campus, everyone calls the campus dining hall “ARA”, it’s infiltrated my use as well. It takes up almost the entire second floor of Magnuson.
8 pm: “Pogo if you love North Park”
Yep, that’s one of the chants at the men’s soccer game. The stands are full and everyone is jumping on one leg with a shoe raised in the air. There are some people at the base of the stands shouting and heckling the other team, in good fun; we joined them for a bit. Why not?
10 pm: Cookie Monster
Some of the returning students want to take us to Insomnia Cookies. It’s off the Fullerton stop and, apparently, the North Parker place to go on a weeknight. There is sleep, but this is college, so…
Author Ellen AlmerPosted on Categories Announcement, News, Stories
