In April 2022, the Rev. Canon Hugh Page Jr. was appointed as the inaugural vice president for institutional transformation and advisor to the president. This appointment launched the Office of Institutional Transformation, which works to create and coordinate an integrated diversity, equity, and inclusion strategy across the various divisions, colleges, and schools at the University of Notre Dame.

Team Members

Rev. Canon Hugh Page Jr.

The Rev. Canon Hugh Page Jr. is the University of Notre Dame's first vice president for institutional transformation. In this role, Page reports directly to University President Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., and assists in formulating and leading the implementation of a broad strategy around diversity and inclusion, monitoring progress on that plan, convening diversity leaders, anticipating challenges, and working with units to catalyze structural and cultural change that will serve the University’s ideals around diversity and inclusion. He advises the president and University leadership and serves as a public University representative to constituencies outside the immediate campus community.

Page served as Notre Dame’s vice president and associate provost for undergraduate affairs from 2013 to 2021 and was dean of the University’s First Year of Studies for 14 years. During this time, he helped create the University’s Moreau First Year Experience course sequence. He has also served as associate dean for undergraduate studies in Notre Dame’s College of Arts and Letters and director of the African and African American Studies Program. He was instrumental in the development of the latter into the Department of Africana Studies, which he later chaired from 2012 to 2015, and has been involved in numerous diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.

An Episcopal priest, Page is an honorary canon of the Cathedral of St. James, Diocese of Northern Indiana. He holds a bachelor’s degree in history from Hampton University, two master’s degrees from the General Theological Seminary in New York, a doctorate in ministry from the Graduate Theological Foundation, and master’s and doctoral degrees in Near Eastern languages and civilizations from Harvard University. He joined the Notre Dame faculty in 1992, and in 2001 he received a Presidential Award for distinguished service to the University. An award-winning teacher, Page is an eminent Hebrew Bible scholar and philologist who works in the areas of early Hebrew poetry, Ugaritic language and literature, Africana biblical interpretation and esotericism in Africa and the African Diaspora.

He is a member of the Society of Biblical Literature’s Council and was recently appointed as an associate editor for the Journal of Biblical Literature. Page is the author, editor or co-editor of seven books, including “Exploring New Paradigms in Biblical and Cognate Studies,” “The Myth of Cosmic Rebellion: A Study of its Reflexes in Ugaritic & Biblical Literature,” “Exodus: A Bible Commentary for Every Day,” “The Africana Bible: Reading Israel’s Scriptures from Africa and the African Diaspora,” “Israel’s Poetry of Resistance: Africana Perspectives on Early Hebrew Verse,” ‘“There is a Mystery’: Esotericism in African American Religious Experience” and “The Fortress Commentary on the Bible: The Old Testament and Apocrypha.”

Eve Kelly

Eve Kelly is the associate director of strategic initiatives and senior advisor to the vice president of Institutional Transformation at the University of Notre Dame. Her role is focused on facilitating the centralization and coordination of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives within a larger matrix oriented toward institutional change.

Kelly brings more than 15 years of experience in higher education. She has worked with students, faculty, and staff throughout her career. Her professional work has been devoted to issues of educational access and equity. Most recently she served as the diversity and inclusion program manager in the Office of Human Resources. Previously, Kelly was part of the College of Science at Notre Dame where she served as an assistant advising professor. While there, she worked with first-year students in their transition to university life. She also served as a faculty mentor for Posse New Orleans. The Posse Foundation identifies public high school students with extraordinary academic and leadership potential who may be overlooked by traditional college selection processes.

In 2015, Kelly was invited to participate in the Notre Dame Leadership Rotation Program, a highly-selective development program during which she led three high-priority University initiatives within different departments over an 18-month period. 

An alumna of the University of Michigan with both a bachelor’s degree in Africana studies and a master’s degree in social work, Kelly is pursuing a doctorate in diversity and equity in education from the University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign

Tim Adams

Tim Adams is the executive assistant to the vice president for institutional transformation. Coming to Notre Dame in 2022, Adams is tasked with streamlining the efforts of the Office of Institutional Transformation and coordinating with the wide range of campus entities working to enhance the effectiveness of students, faculty, and staff.

A retired military officer, Adams holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Notre Dame in government and international relations and a master's degree from Georgetown University in national security studies. After completing the Navy Reserve Officers Training Course, Adams was commissioned an ensign in the U.S. Navy by Rev. Theodore Hesburgh, C.S.C. During his career with the Navy and Navy Reserve, Adams served in a wide variety of locations across the country and around the world. 

Adams was an assistant professor of military science and leadership at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities and Minnesota State University, Mankato and then became the military and veteran student success coordinator. Directing the Veteran Resource Center, Adams assisted with the academic and personal career of over 500 students per semester using their GI Bill benefits.