The brand-new Driehaus Co-op Program at DePaul University represents an innovative approach to experiential learning. The program, which is getting underway in the 2026-27 school year, will intentionally weave sustained professional experience into rigorous academic study. Typically lasting six months or more, a co-op is much deeper and more focused than a traditional internship, building off and strengthening industry partnerships through a longer-term, sustained engagement.  

As the Driehaus co-op program rolls out college-wide, the School of Hospitality and Sports Business is leading the way. This winter, a hand-picked cohort of 6-8 hospitality juniors will begin the customized hospitality co-op curriculum. By the summer, these students will interview with a select group of corporate partners to begin work placements.

For Hospitality, piloting the co-op has meant rethinking the curriculum — and pushing industry connections to new heights. Below, Juan Mendez, Director of the Marriott Foundation Center for Student Development & Engagement, shares his insights from leading this process.  

How did you rethink your curriculum to make this program work for students?  

It was really important to us that students still be able to graduate in four years. So we had to loo

k hard at our degree and see what was possible. What could a student learn outside the classroom that they might have previously learned inside it? How could we provide a clear framework to ensure that students learn from their on-the-ground experiences?  

Once we started doing that, we saw that there was a lot of room to fit the co-op into the degree. And there were a lot of learning outcomes that could be met through the co-op experience.

How did you consult with industry partners throughout this process?  

We included industry throughout our decision-making process. We’d come to them with a framework, get their input, and make adjustments. Overall, we tried to see just how far, with industry’s support, we could go.  

A key takeaway for me is that launching a co-op isn’t the end of the discussion. Creating this program has built on relationships we already had. And it’s made them stronger.  

 Is there an aspect of the hospitality co-op program that wouldn’t have existed without industry collaboration?  

The applied projects, for sure. During their co-op placements, our students will work on projects where they can apply and expand on what they learn in the classroom. Things like looking at a hotel’s operations, or analyzing a restaurant group’s strategic plan.  

We weren’t sure if industry would be up for that level of collaboration. But they actually brought the idea to us. They benefit from an outside perspective. They get more time and talent. And they get the perspective of young people who, often, align with their target demographics.  

Our industry partners are building a pipeline of well-prepared, strategic thinkers who can move up within the organization and grow with it. Ultimately, we're investing in the future of the industry together.  

What’s it been like for you to work on this project personally — to build something like this from the ground up?  

One of my favorite parts of working at DePaul is seeing our mission in action. I love seeing the impact that we have on students — not just now, but getting to celebrate students’ successes as they advance in their careers.  

I’m really excited about the potential of this program to help students find their path. So many of our students are developing skills that are applicable to industry. They just don’t always see how. I think that having something more applied — having this opportunity to develop their skills in an applied setting — will make a huge difference.