Center for Urban Engagement Logo
Downtown Chicago Streets
Chicago Skyline during dusk

Center for Urban Engagement (CUE)

The Center for Urban Engagement (CUE) exists to promote just, sustainable, and flourishing urban communities through the academic study of cities and transformational experiences of urban life.

CUE’s vision is to provide leadership for a just, sustainable, and flourishing urban future. Through academic programs, research, events, and partnerships in Chicago and beyond, CUE at Wheaton College educates students for lives of leadership and service in our increasingly urban world.

City Bus

Purpose

CUE’s vision is to provide leadership for a just, sustainable, and flourishing urban future.

Learn More About Our Purpose

Programs

The Aequitas Program in Urban Leadership (the Aequitas Program) is a four-year, cohort-based, experiential program that educates Wheaton College students to promote just, sustainable, and flourishing urban communities through academic study, experiential learning, immersion programs, and Christian service.

Through a combination of coursework and internships, Wheaton in Chicago (WIC) presents students with the opportunity to spend a semester living and learning in Chicago, one of the world's most diverse and influential global cities. All WIC students explore the meaning of vocation through our Civitas program, which examines the call to Christ, community, career, and justice.

The Urban Studies major helps students develop a sophisticated grasp of cities and their role in global affairs, as the Urban Studies minor complements many other programs of study.

The Fellowship in Public Interest Law responds to God’s call for justice in the world by providing paid internships of 8-10 weeks at carefully selected Chicago-based organizations while providing mentoring opportunities with alumni working in legal professions. It is open to anyone considering a legal profession after graduation.

>> Apply now for Summer 2024 Fellowships >>

The CUE Scholars' Corner is a colloquium series for our Core and Supporting Faculty.

Lectures and other events allow our community of faculty, staff, and students to hear from distinguished scholars and practitioners.

Contact CUE or our co-sponsoring departments and programs for more information about our programs in partnership.

  • Breakaway Chicago – Office of Christian Outreach
  • Chicago Student Teaching – Education Department
  • Comparative Urban Studies and Service – Office of Christian Outreach
  • Urban Track of Wheaton College Passage – HoneyRock - Outdoor Center for Leadership Development of Wheaton College
  • Urban Public Health Elective Concentration – Applied Health Science 

People and Places

CUE is a community of faculty, staff, students, and advisors with experience in Chicago and in cities around the world. CUE has facilities on the main campus of Wheaton College and in Chicago. The Center will partner with other organizations for events and programs around the world.

Gregory Lee

Core Faculty & Staff

CUE Core Faculty and Staff are primarily appointed in Urban Studies and some have joint appointments in other departments.

Dr. Vince Bacote

Supporting Faculty

CUE is supported by a community of scholars and advisors from every academic division. These faculty support CUE's mission and interdisciplinary programming through their teaching and research.

Rebecca King

Advisory Board

CUE programs are supported by community advisors from Wheaton College, Chicago, and beyond.

Memorial Student Center Wheaton College IL

Wheaton College Campus

Memorial Student Center, Wheaton, Illinois

The Center's main office is on the 2nd Floor of Memorial Student Center (with the Department of Politics & International Relations) on the main campus of Wheaton College.

SGM Building April 2020

Chicago

Wheaton College Chicago Facility, 61st St., Woodlawn, Chicago, Illinois

CUE operates Chicago-based programs from a recently renovated facility in the Woodlawn neighborhood of Chicago in partnership with Sunshine Gospel Ministries. Our building spaces include student apartments, several staff apartments, and an office.

City Street Scene with crowds

The World

Partner facilities and event-specific facilities as needed

CUE will partner with organizations and programs throughout the world in order to advance the academic study of cities and transformational experiences of urban life.

Events & News

Noah Toly
2020-21 Faculty Awards, Center for Urban Engagement (CUE), Faculty, News, Urban Studies
Dr. Noah Toly Receives CCCU Grant to Investigate the Future of Christian Liberal Arts
Student profile
#MyWheaton Student, Center for Urban Engagement (CUE), Urban Studies
Wheaties in the World: Piper Kirkpatrick
380x253
#MyWheaton Student, Anthropology, Center for Urban Engagement (CUE), Global Programs and Studies
Everyday Rhythms of Openness