Cornerstone University Announces Golden Eagle Partnership With Project H.O.O.D. of Chicago
Cornerstone University is honored to announce the Golden Eagle Partnership with Project H.O.O.D. (Helping Others Obtain Destiny), an influential nonprofit founded by Rev. Corey Brooks — a visionary pastor, entrepreneur, and community leader on Chicago’s South Side. This partnership offers both Project H.O.O.D. and New Beginnings Church of Chicago staff, community students, and church members guaranteed admission to all Cornerstone undergraduate programs — on campus, online, and through SOAR™, the nation’s first fully smartphone-streaming business degree — along with dedicated scholarships and opportunities to collaborate in both Chicago and Grand Rapids.
Pastor Corey Brooks, founder and senior pastor of New Beginnings Church of Chicago, also serves as CEO of Project H.O.O.D. Communities Development Corporation. Widely known as the “Rooftop Pastor,” he is nationally recognized for his courageous and compassionate leadership — most notably his rooftop vigils that have raised awareness and funding for violence prevention through education, neighborhood revitalization, job training, and community development. As a respected scholar and educator, his work reflects an innovative vision and relentless commitment to strengthening families and communities, which includes greater access to higher education.
“With Pastor Brooks and Project H.O.O.D., we are pleased to welcome this partnership as a powerful opportunity to expand access to high-quality, Christ-centered education,” said Dr. Gerson Moreno-Riaño, president of Cornerstone University. “Together, we are creating direct pathways for students to pursue academic excellence, marketplace readiness, and professional opportunities — grounded in Biblical truth, excellence, and goodness toward the flourishing of our students and communities.”
Through this partnership, Project H.O.O.D. staff and community students gain access to Cornerstone’s wide range of Christian worldview–focused degree programs — with dedicated support and benefits from one of the most affordable accredited universities in the nation.
“At Project H.O.O.D., we believe in the God-given ability of anyone to better their circumstances,” Brooks stated. “From the very beginning, in Genesis, God charged humanity to ‘be fruitful’—to work, to create, and to cultivate the world around us for His glory.
“It is time we return to a simple but profound truth: every person, created in the image of God, is capable of producing, contributing, and building. The issue is never potential — the issue is preparation.
“That’s why this partnership with Cornerstone University is so important. It is about preparing that God-given potential for action — equipping students not only for careers, but for their calling. We are investing in leaders, entrepreneurs, and change-makers who will take what God has placed in them and use it to rebuild our neighborhoods and transform our city for generations to come.”
The Golden Eagle Partnership begins August 12, 2025, and includes:
- Guaranteed admission to all undergraduate programs — on campus, online, and through SOAR™, the nation’s first fully smartphone-streaming business degree.
- Dedicated scholarships for every Project H.O.O.D. staff member and student who enrolls.
- Access to 65+ academic programs from associate to doctoral levels.
- Flexible, affordable learning options designed for traditional and adult learners.
Cornerstone will maintain a regular onsite presence at Project H.O.O.D., providing guidance for prospective students and families. University representatives and faculty will also participate in Project H.O.O.D.-hosted events — offering mentorship, sharing program information, and building relationships. The partnership includes collaborative educational programming, internship opportunities, and hands-on ministry and leadership experience for Cornerstone University students.
The Cornerstone community was deeply inspired by Pastor Brooks’ testimony and vision about higher education as keynote speaker at the university’s 82nd Commencement in 2024. In addition to his ministry and social work, Reverend Brooks holds degrees from Ball State University and Grace Theological Seminary and attended University of Florida Levin College of Law. He was awarded an honorary doctorate from Warner University in recognition of his contributions to faith, education, and community leadership.
Pastor Brooks and Project H.O.O.D. actively support high school students through its Youth Programming and Higher Education Enrichment Program, which offer academic support, leadership development, and college readiness.
This collaboration formalizes a shared mission to equip future leaders and it extends the Cornerstone Advantage™ — a distinctive approach to preparing graduates with moral clarity, market-aligned skills, and a compelling and sophisticated Christian worldview — to a community that has been transformed through Pastor Brook’s bold influence for Jesus Christ.
To learn more or begin an application, contact admissions@cornerstone.edu or visit cornerstone.edu/project-hood. To explore additional Golden Eagle Partnerships or inquire about establishing one for your organization, email admissions@cornerstone.edu.
