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.
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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.
ʹڲ will start its own 25-player team to begin competing next year.
In response to the growing national popularity of women’s no-tackle football programs, ʹڲ will start its own 25-player team to begin competing next year.
North Park alumnus Ramon Palma BS ’22 MBA ’24, a former four-year football player at North Park, has been named the team’s head coach. He has begun recruiting students with plans to hold practices in the fall 2025 semester before finalizing a schedule of games to be played in spring 2026.
“Flag football is an exciting opportunity for both me as a coach and for North Park,” Palma said. “I’m extremely thankful for the belief that the leadership team here at North Park have put in my ability to recruit and develop athletes. Being inaugural head coach of this program is proving to be one of my most exciting endeavors at North Park.”
Flag football will become North Park’s 20th varsity sport, with the team expected to join 20 other NCAA institutions in competition. Play consists of seven players from each side vying to score a six-point touchdown, with the opportunity to add one or two extra points with set plays. The sport has become increasingly popular in recent years, with the number of participants at the high school level doubling to 42,955 students from 2023–24.
John Born, assistant vice president for athletics and sport management, said Palma was a natural choice to coach the team.
“Ramon brings a wealth of experience, an unmatched work ethic, and an entrepreneurial spirit. We could not have picked a better person for this position,” Born said.
After Graduating in 2022, Palma began working at North Park in the admissions department, while continuing to be a part of NPU football as an assistant coach and the team’s social media manager. He worked with both offensive and defensive lines as well as curated content in various formats across NPU football’s ever-growing social media pages.
For more information about the women’s flag football team, go to .
Adam Phillips MDiv ’06 has been named CEO of Interfaith America.
Adam Phillips MDiv ’06 has been named CEO of Interfaith America, a nonprofit organization that strives to strengthen the country by building relationships between diverse faith communities.
Phillips has more than 25 years of leadership experience, having founded church congregations and most recently serving in the Biden-Harris administration as executive director of local, faith, and transformative partnerships at the United States Agency for International Development.
“It’s pretty exciting to see how we’ve more than doubled in size and scope in the past few years,” Phillips said in a statement. “[We’ve become] an industry leader in interfaith diversity work in corporate America and a national leader in seeking the promise of America’s diverse democracy through our civic partnerships.”
Interfaith America was founded in 2002 with the idea that religious differences should serve as a bridge of cooperation rather than a barrier of division. Read more .
Dr. Ryan McAnnally-Linz, associate director of the Yale Center for Faith & Culture and co-author of the New York Times bestseller Life Worth Living, visited ʹڲ.
Dr. Ryan McAnnally-Linz, associate director of the Yale Center for Faith & Culture and co-author of the New York Times bestseller Life Worth Living, visited ʹڲ on March 26 for an event series with the theme “What Makes Life Worth Living?”.
North Park’s Center for Civic Engagement, Office of Intercultural Student Affairs, Office of the Provost, and University Ministries hosted the series inspired by McAnnally-Linz’s book, which is based on Yale University’s most in-demand course of the same name.
The events open to the campus community included a chapel service, Catalyst on Campus, and Fika Forum, at which the discussions encouraged participants to consider their own definitions of a meaningful life and how their values shape their choices. Later in the evening, select students shared a meal and conversation with McAnnally-Linz to dive even deeper into the theme.
Life Worth Living—and, by extension, the event series—is significant to North Park, as all three co-authors have connections to the Evangelical Covenant Church. By weaving perspectives from multiple faith and philosophical traditions, the book and events invited individuals to explore what it means to live purposefully.
North Park Theological Seminary and Seminary Now announce the release of a new streaming video course featuring Dr. Max Lee.
North Park Theological Seminary (NPTS) and Seminary Now announce the release of a new streaming video course featuring Dr. Max Lee, the Paul W. Brandel Chair of Biblical Studies at NPTS. Titled Colossians: A Disruptive Display of Christian Imagination, the course will be available beginning April 9 through .
As a leading New Testament scholar and dedicated educator, Lee is passionate about preparing students and ministry leaders to teach and apply Scripture faithfully. His course provides historical context and theological depth, making it an essential resource for pastors, teachers, and lifelong learners.
Key themes covered in the course include:
God as Creator and Redeemer
A call to faith and ministry
Building your life in Christ and His mission
A theology of the cross
In a world of chaos and uncertainty,Colossianscontinues to speak powerfully across the ages, calling believers to respond to the God revealed in Christ with dynamic faith and worship. Lee’s course provides a historical, theological, and pastoral introduction to this essential New Testament text, equipping learners to engage it for study, teaching, and personal devotion.
This course is part of Seminary Now’s growing library of streaming theological content. The digital learning platform provides accessible, high-quality education for church leaders and Christian communities.
North Park will celebrate its 10th annual 24-hour day of giving on April 24 with a week’s worth of activities.
North Park will celebrate its 10th annual 24-hour day of giving on April 24 with a week’s worth of activities, including a dodgeball tournament, a party on the Green Space in front of the Johnson Center, and a virtual North Park history lesson.
Events kick off on April 22 and continue throughout the week with on-campus happenings like yoga, wall-climbing, plogging, and a special chapel service and a virtual historical overview of North Park’s campus with archivist Andy Meyer. View the .
Friends and alumni are encouraged to participate in person or remotely by donating funds, wearing blue and gold, and sharing their Viking pride on social media. Funds will benefit the North Park Fund, Student Care Fund, and the Viking Club, providing students with financial assistance and infrastructure improvements to promote academic and athletic excellence.
North Park appreciates gifts of any size, as each makes a difference in students’ lives. Donate and follow the action .
Anders Lindwall NPU ’05 made his directorial debut with Green and Gold, a feature-length film released in January.
Anders Lindwall NPU ’05 made his directorial debut with Green and Gold, a feature-length film released in January.
Based on true events, the movie stars Craig T. Nelson and tells a heartfelt story about a Wisconsin farmer who risks everything by betting on the Green Bay Packers to win the Super Bowl. Audiences have praised it for its emotional depth and strong character-driven narrative.
Rooted in their upbringing within faithful Christian communities, Lindwall and his brother Davin Lindwall—who produced the film—prioritized subtly yet meaningfully incorporating their faith into the story. Their father, Edward Lindwall BA ’77, is a North Park graduate alongside their sister Krista Lindwall BA ’07, BS ’07.
In characteristic North Parker spirit, local alumni gathered to watch the premiere at a nearby theater.
NorthPark Universityhas received a prestigious grant from the National Science Foundation to create a new advisor position to support first-year STEM majors.
NorthPark Universityhas received a prestigious grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to create a new advisor position dedicated to supporting first-year students majoring in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).
The three-year,$500,000NSF grant will fund the hiring ofClaudia Gonzalez, who has a Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling, as the advisor for first-year STEM students. As a former admissions counselor atSt. Augustine College, Gonzalez is well-equipped to guide students through the challenges of their demanding majors.
“At North Park, we are dedicated to providing our students with the tools, mentorship, and faith-centered support they need to succeed,” said Matthew Schau, professor of biology. “Claudia’s experience and passion for helping students navigate the complexities of college life will have a lasting impact on the success of our first-year STEM students.” Schau was assisted in securing the grant byEvelyn Aucutt, senior director of academic engagement and student success,Kurt Sheu, assistant professor of mathematics, andEkaterini Koutsouris, advisor for advanced education in the health professions.
Gonzalez will provide personalized guidance to students as they adjust to the demands of college coursework. Her efforts will focus on enhancing retention rates, which is crucial given the national trend of high attrition rates among STEM students—especially women and students of color. According to 2024 data from the American Society for Engineering Education, nearly 13% of STEM majors leave their programs after the first year.
“It’s critical to create an environment where students feel supported and connected from day one,” Gonzalez said. “Having someone help them with everything from academic challenges to personal concerns can make all the difference. As a first-generation college student, I know how important it is to have a support system.”
Gonzalez will also teach an introductory psychology course to help students develop the foundational skills they need to succeed in college. Topics will include everything from navigating a syllabus to understanding the importance of faculty office hours.
ʹڲoffers a wide variety of STEM majors, including pre-medicine, pre-dentistry, biochemistry, and biotechnology. It remains committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and faith-centered environment where all students can succeed.
ʹڲ has established an affiliation agreement with Illinois College, guaranteeing admission for two of its graduates into North Park’s Master of Science in Athletic Training program.
ʹڲ has reached an affiliation agreement with Illinois College in which North Park will guarantee admission for two Illinois College graduates into North Park’s Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT) program each academic year.
Viable candidates must graduate from Illinois College, located in Jacksonville, Illinois, said Andrew Lundgren, North Park’s athletic training program director and an associate professor of athletic training.
As part of the program, Illinois College faculty will recommend candidates for North Park’s MSAT program for the two guaranteed spots. Then, those chosen must go through the same application process as other candidates.
“We have found there are students drawn to North Park’s program because we’re in Chicago,” Lundgren said. “We have so many professional sports teams and clinical opportunities, and that’s a huge draw for athletic training students.”
Partnering with trusted institutions allows North Park to recruit strong applicants, said Lundgren, who is in talks to enter partnerships with additional schools. North Park is uniquely positioned to offer a high-quality MSAT degree, with its Chicago location, cutting-edge facilities, and hands-on training.
ʹڲ has been recognized as one of the top universities for international students in the United States.
ʹڲ is proud to announce its recognition from Study Abroad Aide as one of the top 50 . Study Abroad Aide is an independent database for prospective students looking for the next step in their educational journey.
This ranking recognizes the university’s priority in creating an inclusive, intercultural environment where students from around the world can collaborate and learn. Of the more than 3,000 undergraduate, graduate, and seminary students currently enrolled, more than 300 are international students, collectively coming from more than 50 countries.
ʹڲ has a dedicated department for international students: the Office of International Affairs (OIA). OIA guides international students as they navigate life in the United States, from understanding their visa, to enrolling in insurance, to paying taxes, to applying for a driver’s license. OIA also hosts events for international students, helping them connect with clubs and activities on campus and making North Park and Chicago a home away from home.
Enrolled students, parents, or those looking to research North Park’s benefits for international students can visit its web page to learn more.
The universities have launched an internship program where North Park students will intern at Northwestern’s Center for Synthetic Biology.
This spring, North Park and Northwestern Universities are launching an internship program where North Park molecular biology and biotechnology (MBBT) majors will intern at Northwestern’s , working alongside world-renowned researchers in state-of-the-art facilities.
“We want our students to learn about this subject hands-on, not through YouTube videos or in TED Talks, which is why I’m grateful for the partnership,” said Professor of Biology Dr. Timothy Lin, who initiated the program.
Synthetic biology modifies DNAs and RNAs to design new proteins into a system that addresses global health and biomanufacturing issues. Northwestern’s “SynBio” lab in Evanston, Illinois, touts itself as a “global hub [that] helps solve some of society’s most pressing challenges.”
For instance, one practical application of biosynthetic research is the creation of lab-made foods to address global food shortages.
As part of the program, up to two North Park students per year, selected from a pool of about 20 MBBTmajors eligible to apply, will spend 10 hours a week at Northwestern, earning credit toward graduation.
The program started after Lin—who hosts a career development series for science majors—invited Dr. Danielle Tullman-Ercek, Northwestern’s Master of Biotechnology program director, to speak about solving societal issues with synthetic biology. After her visit in 2022, she was so impressed with North Park’s program, Lin said, that she invited one of North Park’s students to participate in an internship the following summer.
North Park is uniquely positioned as one of the only Midwestern schools offering undergraduate degrees in molecular biology and biotechnology. Lin is pursuing connections with other schools and industries, including Roosevelt University, to create more career and internship opportunities for North Park students.
“Synthetic biology is the future,” Lin said. “Whether it’s designing a new protein or an antibody, it’s a growing field that will get even bigger with the help of artificial intelligence.”
“The internship agreement with Northwestern is just the beginning,” Lin said. “Our MBBT program will continue to develop in related areas and provide our students with more career opportunities.”