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.
This month is comprised of diverse and unique events and scholarly activities aimed to acknowledge the importance and educate the campus community about the intellectual richness that Latino communities provide to the U.S.
Annual food drive to take place September 9-29
Nearly 17 percent of those living in northern Indiana do not know where they will find their next meal. One in four children in this area go to bed hungry each night. The goal of the Fighting Irish Fighting Hunger food drive is to ease that need.
Father Jenkins announces Columbus murals committee
The committee will deliberate and advise on the display of the mural images in the appropriate context, as well as on related issues, in accord with the framework set out in his Jan. 20 letter to the University of Notre Dame community.
Rita Moreno, legend of stage and screen, to discuss her career and issues facing Latinos in entertainment
Moreno — an American actress, dancer and singer of Puerto Rican descent — is the first and only Latina to win an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony (EGOT), and she will be the special guest of Notre Dame’s Institute for Latino Studies next month as part of its Transformative Latino Leadership Lecture Series.
I am ND: Meet Kyle Sturges
Kyle Sturges works in Undergraduate Admissions as senior assistant director of international admissions.
For faculty and staff, he founded Spectrum, the University’s LGBTQ and Ally Employee Resource Group.
I am ND: Meet Cyndi Belmarez
Cyndi Belmarez, institutional research specialist in the Office of Institutional Research, has worked at Notre Dame for more than 30 years. She likes to say that she grew up on campus. “I lived on campus during the summers, and on Saturdays we were here for tutoring and lunch at the Oak Room in the South Dining Hall," she says.
Join us for Fall 2018 Staff Diversity and Inclusion Discussions
Participatory and highly interactive, this discussion series presents opportunities for all Notre Dame staff to share experiences, learn from each other, and ultimately grow to make the University a more diverse and inclusive place where everyone can do their very best work.
I am ND: Meet Mary Adeniyi
New series showcases the rich diversity of the faculty and staff at the University of Notre Dame.
Program brings kids, cops together around food
One part law enforcement. One part youth. Add culinary professionals and garnish with fresh ingredients and food for thought. That’s the recipe for Cooking with Cops, a pilot program at the University of Notre Dame that brings local youth and law enforcement together around food.
The Commencement of the Notre Dame Class of 2018
The University of Notre Dame celebrated its 173rd Commencement Ceremony Sunday (May 20) in Notre Dame Stadium, with an audience of approximately 21,000 family members, friends, faculty and graduates.
How a Russian doctoral student became part of my family
You can find anything at Walmart. Nine years ago, I found a Russian. It was Aug. 11, 2010 and international students were arriving at Notre Dame. Our first meeting, though purely incidental, led to one of our family’s most rewarding relationships.
Notre Dame launches BRITE Women Project to support women in nonprofit board service
The BRITE Women Project (Board Readiness Initiative to Empower Women Project), sponsored by Mendoza’s Nonprofit Professional Development department, seeks to equip women with the skills they need to provide transformational nonprofit board leadership that benefits their communities.
Interested in becoming a diversity education volunteer?
If you have enjoyed the “We Are All ND” workshop or the “Multicultural Competency” Workshop and you want to help present this material, this is the Diversity Discussion you’ve been waiting for!
Join us on Wednesday, Feb. 27.
New initiative, With Voices True, to collect and archive narratives on race
The Klau Center for Civil and Human Rights has announced a new initiative, With Voices True, to collect and record the voices of the Notre Dame community on the topic of race.
Campus Dining leaders bring international cuisine, fresh vision to Notre Dame
Hailing from places like Korea, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, India, Italy, Poland, Bosnia and a host of other countries around the world, Campus Dining staff are almost as international as the cuisine they offer.
Potawatomi Language and Culture Night
Zada Ballew, a Potawatomi citizen and a senior in the College of Arts and Letters, said, “As both a member of the Pokagon Band of the Potawatomi and a student at the University of Notre Dame, I am honored to have the chance to share my culture with my classmates.
Tashi Kyil monks return to Notre Dame to create peace mandala
The visit continues "the ecumenical monastic tradition begun between Thomas Merton and the Dalai Lama,” said Dominic Vachon, director of the Ruth M. Hillebrand Center for Compassionate Care in Medicine.
Mediterranean flavors coming soon to Hesburgh Center for International Studies
Campus Dining will officially welcome Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh to the Hesburgh Center for International Studies at the beginning of the spring semester.
Fr. Jenkins responds to Administration practice of separating immigrant families at the border
“Central to the Holy Cross education Notre Dame offers is a sense of family, centered on the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, and in that spirit I call on the Administration to end immediately the cruel practice of separating children from parents and parents from children.”
Sister Norma Pimentel, M.J.: 2018 Laetare Address
Sister Norma Pimentel, M.J., executive director of Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley and longtime advocate for immigrants and refugees, received the University of Notre Dame’s 2018 Laetare Medal — the oldest and most prestigious honor given to American Catholics — at Notre Dame’s 173rd University Commencement Ceremony on May 20.
Notre Dame diversity and inclusion conference to feature Robin DiAngelo, Rev. Joseph Brown, S.J.
The University of Notre Dame will host a one-day diversity and inclusion conference on Sept. 6 (Friday) for faculty, staff and students titled “Open Minds, Loving Hearts & an Engaged Community.” Events include keynote addresses by Robin DiAngelo, author of “White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk about Racism,” and Rev. Joseph Brown, S.J., social activist, artist and professor...
Employee Resource Groups assist in diversity recruitment, retention
Employee resource groups (ERGs) are voluntary, employee-led groups created by a shared characteristic, interest or life experience. Seven groups currently exist at Notre Dame: Adelante Hispanos, the Black Faculty and Staff Association, Notre Dame Staff of International Descent, Notre Dame Veterans Association, SPECTRUM (LGBTQ), THRIVE! Inspiring ND Women and Young Leaders of Notre Dame.
Events planned to celebrate Black History Month
Notre Dame will celebrate Black History Month with events including lectures, discussions and performances throughout February.
Procurement seeks to increase engagement with small and diverse businesses
The competitive bidding program has been expanded to stimulate the participation of small, women-owned, veteran-owned, disadvantaged and minority-owned businesses in formal Request for Proposals (RFPs) for University purchases exceeding $150,000.
Statement by Notre Dame President Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., on mass shooting of worshipers at Pittsburgh synagogue
“In the days ahead, Notre Dame will look for ways to mourn in solidarity with our friends and to address the venomous hatred directed at them because of their faith and identity,” Jenkins said.
Heather Reynolds named inaugural managing director of Wilson Sheehan Lab for Economic Opportunities
A nonprofit leader with extensive expertise in poverty alleviation, Reynolds has served as president and CEO at Catholic Charities Fort Worth for the past 14 years.
Sara Bea Learning Center facilitates equal access to Notre Dame experience
A formal process to provide accommodations for students with impairments began in 1995 when Scott Howland was hired to create a centralized office of disability services. The first offices were housed in Badin Hall.
Join us on June 28 for a Diversity Discussion on racial battle fatigue
This workshop will feature a discussion of microaggressions, the political climate in which they proliferate, and the fatigue that people of color experience with navigating whether to confront or ignore their daily experiences of racism.
Join Us May 24 for a Diversity Discussion: Update on Staff D&I On Campus
Join us to get an update on Staff D&I on campus. We’ll be discussing what we’ve done on campus the past year, where we’re heading with our strategic plan, and get feedback on how we’re doing. Update on Staff D&I On Campus Thursday, May 24 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.…