Staff Stories
Notre Dame seeks to enhance our community by attracting employees from all walks of life. The work of maintaining and advancing our University requires individuals who approach challenges from unique perspectives borne of varied and nuanced personal experiences. Moreover, it requires learning from one another in an environment that welcomes open discussion and invites personal as well as professional growth in this area.
The stories below showcase the diversity of thought and experience of the people who work at Notre Dame.
A number of events for students, staff, faculty, and the community will take place on campus throughout the month of March.
UEE staff celebrate Motown, culture, and community
The University Enterprises and Events (UEE) division, along with Notre Dame Human Resources and the Office of Institutional Transformation, hosted UEE staff for “A Tribute to Motown” at DeBartolo Performing Arts Center and a pre-show reception.
Resources and organizations to explore this Black History Month
Each February, the United States celebrates Black History Month, a time to reflect on the legacy and accomplishments of Black Americans. There are many ways to expand your knowledge of Black history in the U.S. and join in commemorating this month.
Putting 'the South' in South Bend
In honor of Black History Month, the IDEA Center is highlighting four black entrepreneurs from the South Bend-Elkhart community who have worked with and helped the IDEA Center and are paving the way for future underrepresented entrepreneurs. LaQuisha Jackson embodies the essence of 'the South' in South Bend. Having roots in South Bend, her grandmother passed down the knowledge...
Notre Dame Beijing and Hong Kong colleagues reflect on the Lunar New Year
This year, the Lunar New Year starts on Saturday, February 10, and marks the Year of the Dragon, a symbol of good luck, strength, and health. Of all the animals that comprise the Chinese Zodiac, only dragons are mythical. As a result, they are often the subject of traditional Chinese folklore.
Ninth Annual Walk the Walk Week events to mark Martin Luther King Jr. Day
The University of Notre Dame’s ninth annual Walk the Walk Week will take place Jan. 15 (Monday) through Jan. 22 (Monday).
The Troublemaker
As a biopic introduces Bayard Rustin to a new generation, take a look back at the civil rights activist’s stint as a Notre Dame trustee.
Notre Dame Law School event highlights the need to protect the Jewish community amid the rise of antisemitism on U.S. college campuses
On November 30, Notre Dame Law School’s Religious Liberty Initiative hosted the event, "The Rising Tide of Antisemitism on American Campuses and Beyond" at the McCartan Courtroom. The event, co-organized by Notre Dame Law School Professors Avishalom Tor…
Rare Books and Special Collections exhibit explores emancipation during the 19th century
Making and Unmaking Emancipation in Cuba and the United States explores the fraught, circuitous and unfinished course of emancipation over the 19th century in Cuba and the United States. It will remain on display in 102 Hesburgh Library, Rare Books and Special Collections through December 15.
November is Native American Heritage Month
Dance and drum performance among many opportunities for Notre Dame’s students, faculty, and staff to expand their knowledge and understanding of Native and Indigenous communities.
Women Lead 2024
As the University of Notre Dame celebrates International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month, meet eight individuals who are accelerating progress in their respective fields and advancing the University’s mission as a leading research institution that is a means for good in the world.
Read their stories
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Notre Dame makes $68 million commitment to fighting mental health crisis; scalable solutions could become national model
The University of Notre Dame is making a historic commitment to fighting the national mental health crisis by bringing together a coalition of benefactors, foundations and other funders who have committed more than $68 million over the past year to develop innovative solutions and expand access to care.…
Keynoter for the 2024 Student Peace Conference Announced
Sa’ed Atshan, an associate professor of peace and conflict studies and anthropology at Swarthmore College, will present “Sexualities and Queer Imaginaries Across the Middle East and North Africa” on the afternoon of Friday, April 12—the first day of the two-day conference.
From prison to employment: Solar partnership advances Notre Dame’s mission, values
When the University of Notre Dame breaks ground on a new solar project later this year, it will be a full-circle moment for Patrick Regan, whose company, Crossroads Solar, is supplying the panels for the project — and helping formerly incarcerated men and women transition from prison to employment in the process.
Black Alumni of Notre Dame kick off Black History Month with Black Domers 2 webcast
Month-long series will explore the experiences of Black alumni and students, imagine the future of social justice, convene Black entrepreneurial and business trailblazers, nurture Black well-being, and enhance Black spirituality.
Inspirational leaders encourage justice, perseverance, compassion and courage during Walk the Walk Week events
As part of Walk the Walk Week, a diverse group of leaders in science, engineering and technology offered words of encouragement to over 250 students, faculty and staff on Wednesday (Jan. 17).
Notre Dame earns 2024 NCAA diversity and inclusion award
Big change starts small. That, in part, is the hope behind Notre Dame’s Together Irish program, which has served as a redefinition of the athletics department’s commitment to social change via education, engagement and enrichment. The Irish hope that what occurs through the initiative on their campus and the community of South Bend, Indiana, can create ripples of positive change...
Karen Kennedy appointed associate vice president for residential life
Karen Kennedy, senior advisor in the Office of the Executive Vice President at the University of Notre Dame, has been appointed associate vice president for residential life in the Division of Student Affairs, effective spring 2024.
In this role, Kennedy will oversee all established and emerging areas of the Office of Residential Life…
Campus Dining gives back with Thanksgiving meals to local centers
Campus Dining continued its tradition of preparing turkey and side dishes to three South Bend organizations hosting Thanksgiving meals this year.
In the spirit of giving, members from Notre Dame, Saint Mary's and Holy Cross dining teams prepared meals for the Center for the Homeless…
Celebrating Native American Heritage Month
In honor and celebration of Native American Heritage Month, the Notre Dame Initiative on Race and Resilience, in collaboration with its artist-in-residence, David Martin, hosted a Native American dance and drum performance in DeBartolo Hall on Wednesday, Nov. 8. The program featured songs and dance styles of Potawatomi and other Great Lakes region tribes to share culture, celebrate heritage and...
Notre Dame International’s Global Citizenship Series: March 2024
In this third installment of the 2024 Notre Dame International series on how all of us in the Notre Dame community can cultivate our global citizenship skills, we feature several performances, lectures, and activities that, during the month of March, open up the world to us right here on the Notre Dame campus.
Notre Dame celebrates Black History Month
The University of Notre Dame is celebrating Black History Month throughout February with a number of events.
When Jackie Robinson came to campus
It was 70 years ago — on February 10, 1954 — that baseball great Jackie Robinson came to Notre Dame and South Bend to speak about brotherhood, cooperation and eliminating prejudices. He declared that slow but steady progress was being made in race relations.
Faculty, staff, students, and alumni welcome the Year of the Dragon
Expand your understanding of Lunar New Year with a fun toolkit as well as events on campus and in the community.
Unity Summit participants asked to do their part to build a Beloved Community at Notre Dame
More than 200 people attended the annual Walk the Walk Week event hosted by Eric Love and Notre Dame Human Resources (NDHR). Participants are expected to lead the conversation and, hopefully, the change.
Father Jenkins given keys to South Bend, Mishawaka at MLK Day event
University of Notre Dame President Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., was presented with keys to the cities of South Bend and Mishawaka during the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Service Recognition Breakfast on Monday in South Bend.
Notre Dame's Jill Pentimonti selected as president of The Science Coalition
Jill Pentimonti, executive director of research advancement in Notre Dame Research, has been selected to serve as the 2024 president of The Science Coalition…
Join the Office of Institutional Transformation for cookies, coffee, and conversation
Students, faculty, and staff are invited to stop by the Office of Institutional Transformation’s holiday open house on Thursday, December 7, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. in Suite 217 of the Main Building.
Pilot program helps Robinson Center youth pursue passion for tennis
Students in the Robinson Community Center's afterschool program visited Lakeland Academy of Tennis recently as part of a pilot progam aimed at introducing South Bend-area youth to the fast-paced racket sport.
What is the Transformational Leaders Program?
Academic support, mentorship, community building, competitive funding for academic materials and experiences, and much more—these are just a few of the resources provided by Notre Dame’s Transformational Leaders Program (TLP)…