The Driehaus Class of 2024 has faced unique challenges.
Most of the seniors graduating this Sunday started their journey during the onset of the covid-19 pandemic. Many of them didn’t set foot on campus until their sophomore year.
Despite these challenges, there was one thing that students said defined their Driehaus experience again and again: the connections. Connections to lifelong friends and meaningful career opportunities. Connections to faculty and mentors. Connections to the city of Chicago and the DePaul alumni network.
Read on to meet just a few of the incredible members of the Driehaus Class of 2024.
Katherine De Zayas
Major: Accounting
Hometown: Miami, Florida
DePaul in one word? Rewarding.
"I can go to class in the morning — and then go to my internship and encounter something that was just went over in class. Those connections are invaluable."
What’s your favorite DePaul memory?
Studying abroad has been my favorite. I did two trips to France and one to South Africa. I’ve been able to not only fulfill my love for travelling but also complete required classes at the same time— and made some of my closest friends along the way.
What’s your favorite Chicago neighborhood?
Humboldt Park. The food and vibrant culture is amazing over there. I'm a first-ge, Cuban-Dominican student and always enjoy exploring Caribbean culture around the city. This neighborhood feels like home for me and it’s always fun to look for new restaurants to try in the area.
What makes DePaul special?
Before the shutdown, I visited DePaul for admitted students day. Something that immediately stood out to me were the people. The students were really welcoming; the professors were very supportive. This continued to be true throughout my time here.
My first year, I was attending class online at home in Miami. But you could still see and feel that sense of community online.
Coming to campus my sophomore year, something that really helped me was becoming a Chicago Quarter mentor for the Discover Chicago improv class with Jim Mourey and Deirdre Laverdiere. I was helping them teach freshmen how to navigate DePaul. But at the same time, I was learning how to navigate DePaul. They were definitely my biggest support system that year — and still are now.
How would you sum up your DePaul experience?
Looking back, I don’t regret anything. I’ve been able to get so much out of DePaul in terms of opportunities and meeting people. I’m so grateful to be in the city. I’ve been able to be an intern while I’ve been studying, which has helped me a lot throughout my studies. I can go to class in the morning — and then go to my internship and encounter something that was just went over in class. Those connections are invaluable.
Claire Nelson
Major: Marketing with a concentration in sales leadership and a management minor
Hometown: Lake Orion, Michigan
Depaul in one word? Transformative
"I've grown so much during my time here. Living in a city has shaped my character and perspective in invaluable ways. I wouldn't trade this journey for anything."
How did you choose your major?
When I first arrived, I wasn't sure what career path I wanted to take. I just knew I wanted to be a leader.
In my Discover Chicago class, I took an online improv course with Jim Mourey, a fantastic instructor and strong advocate for the marketing department and the Center for Sales Leadership (CSL). I discovered CSL and embraced it fully.
Eventually, I became the president of the CSL Ambassadors. CSL offers students numerous resources, including workshops, events, LinkedIn assistance, and resume support. These resources have been invaluable for me. And it’s been amazing helping my peers access them.
What’s your favorite advice to give your peers?
Networking is vital. Start building connections early on. Attend events, join clubs, and engage with your peers; you never know how these relationships might benefit you in the future.
Take full advantage of every opportunity that comes your way. Say yes to internships, study abroad programs, leadership roles, and extracurricular activities. That’s something that has enriched my time at DePaul so much — from studying abroad in Paris to interning at a global consumer packaged goods company.
What was your first impression of DePaul?
I grew up in a small town in Michigan. During my senior year in high school, I realized I wanted something more. And I realized I didn’t want the traditional college experience. I wanted the big-city experience.
When I toured DePaul, everything about it was amazing: the small class sizes, academics and campus life. I knew I'd found the place for me.
Describe DePaul in one word.
Transformative. Arriving on campus at 18 and moving to the city is a significant step. I’ve grown so much during my time here, both personally and professionally. I’ve learned so much about how I respond to new situations. Living in a city has shaped my character and perspective in invaluable ways. I wouldn't trade this journey for anything.
Sarah Saber
Majors: Marketing and sales
DePaul in one word? Spontaneous
"DePaul was the best choice I ever made. And it’s just solidified over the years. This has become a home to me. I don’t take that lightly, because I have moved around a lot. I’ve found my people. I’ve found myself here."
How did you choose DePaul?
I actually committed to Loyola at first. I dropped out the day before the semester started. I don’t know why. I just had this random gut feeling.
It was the best choice I ever made. And it’s just solidified over the years. This has become a home to me. I don’t take that lightly, because I have moved around a lot. I’ve found my people. I’ve found myself here.
Who is your favorite professor?
Melissa Markley. I really bonded with her over study abroad. Right now, she’s actually helping me edit my commencement speech.
What’s your DePaul memory?
Meeting my roommates. I was actually thinking of transferring at that point. I got in an elevator, and ran into these two random girls. We figured out that we already followed each other on Instagram. We ended up going out that night, then I slept over. I ended up sleeping over every single day.
Now there’s six of us living together in a house in Lincoln Park. It’s a crazy house! But I could not have done college without them.
What makes DePaul special?
DePaul gives you the opportunity to do whatever and be whatever you want. If I wanted to do something tomorrow, I could find a place to do it. It builds such a strong sense of community.
I found a lot of that through my sorority, Alpha Phi. We do a lot of volunteering. It’s helped me meet so many people and give back to the community I love so much.
Describe DePaul in one word.
Spontaneous. Everything I’ve done here has been super spontaneous — coming here, applying to be commencement speaker, changing my major, meeting my friends. There is a place for everything and anything here.
Grace Haucke
Major: Finance
Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio
DePaul in one word? Transformative
"When I first set foot at DePaul, it was very intimidating to be in the city. Now, I feel like I run Chicago. DePaul definitely pushed me outside my comfort zone — but in a good way."
What was your first impression of DePaul?
When I first set foot at DePaul, it was very intimidating to be in the city. Now, I feel like I run Chicago. DePaul definitely pushed me outside my comfort zone — but in a good way.
When I came here, I wanted to be a lawyer. But then I joined Females in Finance, and that set me on the path I’m on now.
I took over the presidency in my sophomore year. I actually just handed it over to the next president. We are now the highest-funded student org at DePaul. I pitched it everywhere. I went to any financial institution that would listen to us. That’s helped me grow an insane amount.
Females in Finance is only four years old. We just hosted our annual gala at the Union League Club, and we had hundreds of people — students, faculty, professionals — in attendance. It’s been amazing watching this group grow.
What makes DePaul special?
Chicago. Hands-down.
I’m on my fourth internship. For my friends who are studying finance at state schools, that’s unheard of. But because of DePaul, I was able to do that.
Who are your favorite professors?
Tom Berry and Kelly Spengler. I’m Kelly Spengler’s TA for her wealth management class. And she’s a rockstar. She works at JPMorgan. She’s very well-connected. She’s a mom. She does it all.
Describe DePaul in one word.
Transformative.
Ismail Abdullah
Major: Management
Hometown: Oak Park, Illinois
DePaul in one word? Simple
"This is a community where you can give back and express yourself. There are so many resources and opportunities here: the career center, professors — but peers especially. We learn so much from each other."
Describe DePaul in one word.
Simple. I’m a first-generation college student. My experience was challenging at first. But being able to meet the right people and get the right experiences made things simpler. It made me realize that I can do this — and do it in my own way.
What was your first impression of DePaul?
It took a while to find my place. That really started my sophomore year. That was when I started my journey as an RA. That prompted me to explore more: to understand that this is a community where you can give back and express yourself.
There are so many resources and opportunities here: the career center, professors — but peers especially. We learn so much from each other.
I ended up being one of three students to start the sports business club. I feel so much appreciation for OSI and the other offices that allowed us to launch that program.
Who’s your favorite professor?
Andy Clark. He knows everyone. He has so many stories to tell. He helped us launch the sports business club. I went to London on his study-abroad trip.
What’s your favorite Chicago neighborhood?
It’s so hard to choose just one! A few I really like are Hyde Park, Evanston, Wicker Park, Little Village, and Pilsen. I love the Mexican Art Museum in Pilsen. And the DuSable Museum of African American History in Hyde Park.
What are your plans after graduation?
I’m applying to law school. I’m already a first-gen undergraduate student, so being a first-gen law student is going to be very special. I hope I’m able to succeed and do what I did here: Make an impact. Start or join a club. Help people who are in the same shoes as me — whether they’re first-generation, or an African American male, or want to work in sports.
Law is everywhere. People always need representation. Being able to be this voice and advocate will be really special to me.
Ben Homan
Majors: Accounting and finance
Hometown: Kearney, Nebraska
DePaul in one word? Connected
"When I came here, I knew nothing about accounting. Now I’ve worked for three of the ten largest accounting firms in the world. It’s been invaluable. The connection to the city is the best thing DePaul has to offer."
What was your first impression of DePaul?
It was different. I come from Nebraska. I visited in February of 2020. And then the world shut down. My freshman year just didn’t happen; it was all online. The entire selling point of being connected to the city was taken away.
And yet, Driehaus still did a great job of holding the events we would have done in person. Transitioning to being back in-person was a phenomenal experience. I’ve done internships; I’ve connected with professors, other students and employers. There’s so much connection built in here.
Who is your favorite professor at DePaul?
John Vitanovec. He was my intro-level accounting professor.
I originally declared as an acting major. But between covid and a shoulder surgery, I couldn’t go through with the audition. I was accepted to the Strobel Honors Program. But I had no idea, going in, what accounting was going to be like.
The thing I remember most about my first class was this moment in the middle of a midterm review when I lost my Zoom connection. I emailed John asking him for pointers, and he told me to hop back on the Zoom call. It was a Saturday. And he went over the entire one-and-a-half-hour lecture with me, one-on-one.
That was my intro to accounting. Since then, I’ve done three accounting internships; I’ve gotten a job at KPMG after graduation; I work as a career coach for the accounting department. And three are countless other professors who have helped me get to where I’m at. Brian Maj, Mary Mindak, Margaret Tower, Vahap Uysal — they've all given me so many opportunities.
What makes DePaul special?
Being in the city. The professors. The people. I knew nothing about accounting — and now I’ve worked for three of the ten largest accounting firms in the world.
It’s been invaluable. The connection to the city is the best thing DePaul has to offer.
I tell admitted students that, if you want to be in any field of business, DePaul is your best bet. Because every single business in Chicago knows DePaul. And DePaul knows someone in every single business.