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Notre Dame partners with community organizations for Walk the Walk Week service project

2025-02-06T16:37:00-05:00

Nearly 300 University of Notre Dame students attended this year's Walk the Walk Week service project.

Nearly 300 students from the University of Notre Dame took over Duncan Student Center on Feb. 1 to sort through thousands of donated items to create winter and personal care kits for this year’s Walk the Walk Week service project.

The campus-wide donation drive launched in early January and encouraged faculty, staff and students to donate new supplies, including personal hygiene items, socks, waterproof gloves, winter hats, diapers and more. All donations were distributed to four local organizations serving individuals in the South Bend region facing hardship and housing insecurity: Center for the Homeless, Hope Ministries, Our Lady of the Road and St. Margaret’s House.

"It’s great to see the Notre Dame community come out in solidarity and support of this important service project,” says Ethan Chiang, Notre Dame Student Government’s director of South Bend Engagement. “We are supporting local organizations that help the unhoused population in South Bend.”

Students participate in the Walk the Walk Week service project packing care kits for local charities at Duncan Student Center. (Photo by Michael Caterina/University of Notre Dame)

“I am just thrilled to be at this incredible event. The support we will get from this event is so helpful to the women and children we serve and we are so grateful.”

In total, nearly 3,000 items were donated by Notre Dame faculty and staff and 721 winter and personal care kits were assembled by students. In addition, students made blankets and wrote personal notes for the care kits that were distributed on Feb 3.

“I am just thrilled to be at this incredible event,” says Katie Elliot, executive director of St. Margaret’s House. “The support we will get from this event is so helpful to the women and children we serve and we are so grateful.”

The event was co-sponsored by Notre Dame Student Government, the Office of Public Affairs and Communications, and Procurement Services in partnership with the Office of the President.

Walk the Walk Week is a week-long series of University, department, and student-sponsored events to commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy, and took place this year from Jan. 26 to Feb. 1.

Originally published by Colleen Wilcox at publicaffairs.nd.edu on Feb. 6, 2025.

Notre Dame ranks second in US for study abroad participation

2023-12-06T16:39:00-05:00

The University of Notre Dame ranks second in the nation for study abroad participation among doctorate-granting universities, according to the latest Institute of International Education Open Doors report.

This new designation, which ranks Notre Dame second with a participation rate of 77 percent for undergraduate students during 2021-22, recognizes the University’s commitment to global education.

“This recognition serves as a tribute to the University’s commitment to inspiring future leaders to explore and experience other cultures and learn beyond the United States,” said Michael Pippenger, vice president and associate provost for internationalization.

“I am proud of our study abroad team as they continue to create more opportunities for students and encourage students to be intentional in selecting the locations and programs. I am also proud of our students, their intrepid curiosity and willingness to embrace cross-cultural education.”

Notre Dame International’s study abroad office manages more than 60 semester study abroad programs in more than 30 countries around the world. While abroad, students are encouraged to participate in internships, integrate their academics with community engagement and conduct research with leading academics.

Open Doors is conducted by the Institute of International Education with the support of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State.

More information on the report can be found here.

Originally published by Colleen Wilcox at international.nd.edu on Nov. 30.

Notre Dame launches new software engineering program in Jerusalem

2023-01-10T16:10:00-05:00

The University of Notre Dame is launching a new program in software engineering at its Global Gateway in Jerusalem that prepares participants to become full-stack developers in two years.

The Adam program will not only prepare participants for jobs in the growing tech industry, but also help develop their foreign language and humanities skills. Additionally, faculty from the University of Notre Dame will provide select modules to challenge students’ approach to software engineering. This certificate program also connects program participants with mentors and professionals in the growing high-tech industry in various fields.

“While we want to see our program participants acquire the professional skills needed in the field, we also want to empower them as individuals that need to prosper in the complex reality of our region,” says Daniel Schwake, executive director of the University of Notre Dame at Tantur.

Schwake adds, “This is provided not just through the additional languages we offer, but through the overall approach and the electives taught by our faculty.”

The professional training lasts two years and includes the following components:

The core curriculum is powered by the methods developed by 01 Talent, an educational technology company that is behind a dozen coding schools worldwide.
Industry-led workshops and hackathons will supplement the core curriculum and will allow students to work, get acquainted and network with partner companies of the program.

The innovative new program is the first of its kind in East Jerusalem and is built in response to a shortage of creative developers in the region.

“We are pleased to offer new horizons and welcome an increasingly diverse set of learners, while also forging new opportunities that further enrich the research and learning experience of our faculty and students,” says Michael Pippenger, vice president and associate provost for internationalization.

Any individuals interested in starting their careers or changing industries are welcome to apply. No coding experience is necessary. The application process is now open. Applicants will be expected to pass an online test and a four-week evaluation. Companies that are interested can visit the webpage to learn more about the curriculum and the program.

Learn more about Adam - Coding & Beyond.

Originally published by Colleen Wilcox at international.nd.edu on Jan. 6.

Notre Dame to host G.K. Chesterton Collection dedication ceremony in London

2022-10-24T15:00:00-04:00

The University of Notre Dame’s London Global Gateway is hosting a dedication ceremony to celebrate the acquisition of the G.K. Chesterton Collection, which includes books, personal effects, art and other items related to the life of this renowned 20th-century English Catholic writer, orator, apologist and provocateur.

The blessing and dedication ceremony will take place on Thursday (Oct. 27) at the London Global Gateway, followed by a chance for attendees to engage with some items from the collections, and a celebratory dinner at the Royal Horseguards. The event will be led by Notre Dame President Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., and Aidan Mackey, one of the foremost Chesterton experts who independently compiled the collection.

“It would be difficult to overstate our excitement about the acquisition of the Chesterton Collection. The fact that it’s housed in Notre Dame’s magnificent Fischer Hall in central London is a point of great pride, both for the London Global Gateway and the University of Notre Dame,” says Fr. Jim Lies, C.S.C., senior director for academic initiatives and partnerships at the London Global Gateway.

“It gives us an abundant array of opportunities to enhance student research and learning and to intersect with an international network of scholars whose varied research interests connect with the broad spectrum of Chesterton’s life and work.”

To coincide with the dedication ceremony, an academic conference focused on G.K. Chesterton will be hosted on Friday (Oct. 28). The conference looks at the multifaceted nature of Chesterton’s work through a series of panel discussions with academics from a diverse range of disciplines.

“The G.K. Chesterton Collection is a key representation of the ways in which Notre Dame can advance scholarship, engage scholars and communities, and enhance understanding of the Catholic intellectual traditions,” says Michael Pippenger, vice president and associate provost for internationalization at Notre Dame. “This is precisely what we aspire to do in London to make the University’s research and global presence not just better known, but also more meaningful to students, faculty and communities.”

The full holdings — housed at the Oxford Oratory since 2013 — were transferred in 2019 to Notre Dame’s London Global Gateway on Trafalgar Square, providing increased access to researchers and Chesterton enthusiasts. The collection has a public access exhibit for Chesterton fans visiting London.

Learn more about the G.K. Chesterton Collection.

Originally published by Colleen Wilcox at international.nd.edu on Oct. 18.

Notre Dame, Ukrainian Catholic University launch three new research grants

2022-09-29T09:21:00-04:00

The University of Notre Dame and Ukrainian Catholic University (UCU) are launching three collaborative grants that expand the existing academic, religious and cultural partnerships between the two universities. The collaborative projects include the ND-UCU Faculty Collaboration Grant Program, the ND-UCU Curriculum/Course Development Grants and the ND-UCU Library Guest Scholars Program.

“These collaborative grants will provide faculty members the opportunity to pursue research that will have tremendous influence in a variety of scholarly disciplines and for Ukraine in the months and years to come,” said Michael Pippenger, Notre Dame’s vice president and associate provost for internationalization.

“Being able to support Notre Dame and UCU faculty to pursue academic inquiry without pause and empower formative research during a time of war exemplifies what it means to be in solidarity together for the common good.”

In addition to faculty research grants, the other grant programs invite UCU faculty to access the online library collection at Notre Dame or offer faculty the chance to develop a new course or revise a specific curriculum at UCU.

Volodymyr Turchynovskyy, dean of the social sciences faculty at Ukrainian Catholic University, said Ukraine has become a laboratory for social transformation of global importance and impact.

“Recently launched ‘Standing in Solidarity Partnership’ is a very courageous and visionary move made by Notre Dame and Ukrainian Catholic University at the time of Ukraine’s resistance against Russian full-scale invasion,” he said. “Such academic bravery is foremost a sign of profoundly lived solidarity and friendship between our two universities.”

Turchynovskyy said the continued partnership allows both universities to establish a channel through expertise and research, vitality and motivation, innovations and teaching, and richness of Christian tradition and practice.

“One of the critical questions we ask ourselves these days is this: How to convert the power of solidarity and sacrifice — so abundantly revealed under present circumstances — into sustainable principles and models of the future recovery and development of Ukraine? I’m very honored and grateful in acknowledging that the University of Notre Dame is an excellent partner in coping with this question and also in putting it on the global academia agenda,” he said.

Applications for all three grant programs are now open. Learn more about the three new grants here.

The partnership expansion between Notre Dame and UCU, which was announced in May, includes five primary components modeled on similar partnerships Notre Dame has with other colleges and universities worldwide to support international education and research.

Learn more about Notre Dame’s initiatives in Ukraine.

Notre Dame signs agreement with St Edmund’s College, University of Cambridge

2022-03-30T16:00:00-04:00

The University of Notre Dame signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with St Edmund’s College of the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom. The agreement was made official during a virtual signing ceremony organized by Notre Dame International on Monday (March 28) and was signed by Notre Dame President Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., and Catherine Arnold, master of St Edmund’s College. St Edmund’s College, founded in 1896, is the only college in the University of Cambridge with a specifically Catholic character, defined in its Royal Charter.

“Catholic institutions of higher learning share a stewardship of the Catholic intellectual tradition and service to justice and the common good through the pursuit of knowledge,” said Father Jenkins. “This MOU joins two institutions with a deep affinity, and I hope it inspires fruitful scholarly engagements for years to come.”

“The Catholic founders of St Edmund’s College were committed to ensuring no one was excluded from the best higher education on the basis of faith or identity,” said Arnold. “Today, over 125 years later, St Edmund’s fosters the talent of students and scholars from over 75 countries supporting the formation of ethical leaders and thinkers who will go on to shape the lives of people across the globe.”

The MOU encourages and supports international collaboration between the respective faculty, scholars, students and administrators in education, research and outreach. A key part of Notre Dame International’s global engagement strategy, led by Vice President and Associate Provost for Internationalization Michael E. Pippenger, is fostering international partnerships that support international research and educational opportunities for Notre Dame faculty and students.

“From the strong foundation of the MOU we have signed today, I look forward to working with the University of Notre Dame to deepen the collaboration between our institutions and develop new ways to realize both the vision of our Catholic founders and our shared commitment to places of higher education and research as a force for good in the world,” said Arnold.

The agreement also supports further development of a strong connection between Notre Dame’s London Global Gateway and the Von Hügel Institute for Critical Catholic Inquiry at St Edmund’s College. Under the direction of Vittorio Montemaggi, the institute, which is focused on advanced studies inspired by Catholic thought and culture, is an integral part of St Edmund’s College.

Notre Dame International has more than 120 agreements with partners on six continents. These agreements include institution-level general memoranda of understanding; exchange programs for undergraduates, graduates and faculty; and partnerships that bring international students to Notre Dame for short-term academic programs.

Contact: Colleen Wilcox, Notre Dame International, 574-631-2513, cwilcox1@nd.edu

New ThinkND series to tackle global water crisis

2022-02-01T10:00:00-05:00

Notre Dame International (NDI), with support from its global network, is launching an interactive series on ThinkND that highlights the water crisis around the world. “Global Dialogues: Worsening Water Crisis” is a nine-part series; sessions will be held on select Wednesdays of the spring semester beginning February 9, 2022.

From Mumbai to Santiago, participants will travel virtually each week to a different location around the world to learn more about local research that's occurring through programs, partnerships, and engagement with local people, organizations, and governments.

“NDI is proud to facilitate this in depth examination of sustainability and in particular the urgency of the water crisis that we now face,” says Michael Pippenger, vice president and associate provost of internationalization.

“The University of Notre Dame, with faculty doing research across our Global Gateway and Center network that spans five continents and ten countries, is uniquely positioned to be a leader as we seek to embrace and live up to the call Pope Francis has sounded: to care for our common home.”

Faculty from Notre Dame, as well as University partner institutions, will be featured each week. The series will also showcase local case studies, which will be examined and discussed to help connect, educate, inspire, and motivate people to come together to solve this global issue.

“A series like this can draw important attention to the population explosion in Asia, as one of the most critical concerns impacting water and the vulnerabilities associated with the lack of adequate sources of freshwater for the foreseeable future for our planet,” says Krupali Krusche, associate dean for research, scholarship, and creative work and director of DHARMA (Digital Historic Architectural Research and Material Analysis) research team.

“Beyond the population explosion, issues like rising sea level around the globe are creating a major and urgent need to prepare design and engineering solutions that can help these cities survive this change in predicted water levels.”

Krusche will lead the “Impact of Rise in Sea Level in Mumbai” session on Wednesday, February 23, 2022 at 1:00 pm EST. Other sessions include:

Environmental Policy and governance in Nairobi, Kenya
Coastal Boulder Displacement on the West Coast of Ireland
The Water Crisis in Mexico City
Rivers and Tides: A Biography of the River Thames and The Sustainability of Rivers in London
Water Sustainability in Santiago, Chile
A New Parable for the Planet in Dublin
Offshore Energy and Climate Change, Jerusalem
Water, Soil, and Air, Rome

The goal of the series is to demonstrate the global impact of local interventions and projects, ultimately bringing people together to build a more sustainable and healthy future.

"It is of utmost importance that we work together across academic disciplines, national borders, and boundaries of every kind to address the water crisis in our world,” says Robert Dowd, C.S.C., vice president and associate provost for interdisciplinary initiatives.

“Our hope is that these conversations deepen our understanding of the water crisis in different parts of the world and also point to how we can work together more effectively in order to promote more sustainable practices and policies with regard to the use of water."

The program is free and open to all and is hosted exclusively on ThinkND, Notre Dame’s open, online learning community. Click here for more information and to register.

Originally published by Colleen Wilcox at international.nd.edu on January 27, 2022.

Notre Dame to resume study abroad for fall 2021

2021-05-13T15:00:00-04:00

The University of Notre Dame is moving forward with plans to send students abroad for the fall 2021 semester. An email was sent out to all affected students on May 13.

“We’re thrilled to be able to resume study abroad after such a long disruption, and our students soon will have culturally and intellectually rich opportunities for engagement worldwide,” says Michael Pippenger, vice president and associate provost for internationalization. “Though the experience will be different than what students may normally expect, the University is optimistic that students can have a healthy and meaningful experience abroad this fall and beyond.”

Since the beginning of the pandemic, Notre Dame International’s health and safety and study abroad teams have been closely monitoring program locations around the world and keeping in touch with partner institutions. The recommendation was made after examining various factors, including the continued rollout of the vaccines in the United States and increasingly abroad and the overall public health situations in the University’s program host countries.

“Notre Dame follows a holistic approach for assessing health and safety risks associated with international travel and education abroad programs,” says Jaime Signoracci, associate director of international travel and safety. “This has continued throughout the pandemic, leading to the fact-based decisions to ultimately resume an abbreviated version of the Rome Architecture program this summer and study abroad programs later this fall.”

The University is moving forward with fall 2021 undergraduate study abroad programs, as well as graduate and professional programs. Notre Dame International continues to monitor and communicate closely with colleagues abroad as the pandemic may continue to affect international travel. Students will be notified of any changes in health and safety situations or in their host institution’s policies or offerings.

View the latest information and FAQs on the study abroad website.

Originally published by Colleen Wilcox at international.nd.edu on May 13, 2021.

Notre Dame suspends 2021 outgoing summer study abroad and global education programs

2021-03-29T14:30:00-04:00

Due to the unpredictable nature of global travel during the coronavirus pandemic, the University of Notre Dame is suspending all undergraduate summer 2021 outbound study abroad and global education programs. An email was sent out to all affected students and faculty on March 29.

“It was a very difficult, but necessary, decision to suspend our programs given the scope of the pandemic," said Michael Pippenger, vice president and associate provost for internationalization. “As dedicated advocates for global education, we know and feel the disappointment that our students are experiencing right now. As always, however, the health and safety of our students, faculty and staff remain paramount.”

To date, most countries have upheld travel restrictions and stringent entry requirements for third country nationals and are still very much grappling with sustained high numbers or resurgences of positive COVID-19 cases and strains on health care systems. In addition, many countries are faced with slower-than-expected vaccination rollout programs and public health restrictions are still in place. The vast majority of countries continue to be assessed as high risk by the Centers for Disease Control and U.S. Department of State, and the State Department is still advising against all non-essential travel overseas in the near term.

Notre Dame International has created a variety of new options for summer in light of study abroad cancellations, including the virtual Global Professional Experience program as well as online academic courses anchored at the Global Gateways and Centers.

View the latest information and FAQs on the Study Abroad website.

Originally published by Colleen Wilcox at international.nd.edu on March 29.

A Semester, Interrupted: International Student Stories

2021-01-21T10:00:00-05:00

As the pandemic first exploded in the United States in early spring, international students had to make a tough call: Should they find a way to stay on campus or return to their home countries to wait for the situation to resolve itself? The crisis intensified in many locations across the world, making it nearly impossible for international students who had returned home to make it back to campus by the start of the 2020-21 academic year.

The hurdles were significant for these students, as they faced travel restrictions, limited flight options and closed U.S. embassies. The University was charged with creating viable and accessible solutions that supported all students in their academic progress. Notre Dame International was also working with partners on campus and abroad to create innovative programs that keep students engaged with the Notre Dame community. Determining the available options was not an easy task, specifically for first-year international undergraduate and graduate students.

Three international students share their personal stories and offer a glimpse into the reality of being an international student during a global pandemic.

To read the story, click here.

Notre Dame ranks top 10 in nation for study abroad participation

2020-11-19T11:30:00-05:00

The University of Notre Dame’s commitment to internationalization continues to be recognized on a national level, as the University ranks in the top 10 for study abroad participation. The Institute of International Education ranks Notre Dame seventh among doctorate-granting universities for undergraduate study abroad participation during the 2018-19 academic year.

The latest rankings were published in the Open Doors report, which examines the number of degree-seeking students who received academic credit for study abroad in a given year. Using this measure, an estimated 76.2 percent of Notre Dame undergraduate students participated in study abroad in 2018-19. The statistics in the new report show an uptick in study abroad participation before the COVID-19 pandemic interrupted programming. The pandemic has since forced the suspension of study abroad for the 2020-21 academic year.

The pause in programming has allowed the study abroad team at Notre Dame International to creatively connect and engage with students, imagining what new programming could be in the future. They recently created the Virtual Global Professional Experience program, allowing 100 students to connect with the Notre Dame network of employers worldwide to work on projects and develop intercultural competency and other professional skills. The team also created an online advising course on study abroad and are in the process of creating an online pre-departure course.

“This kind of resilience and innovation are hallmarks of our international efforts here at Notre Dame, and they allow us to continue to transform students’ study abroad experiences and deepen their understanding of themselves and their place in the world,” said Michael Pippenger, vice president and associate provost for internationalization.

“All these efforts will help us beyond COVID-19, and we are certainly looking forward to next summer when we can resume sending students abroad,” said Hong Zhu, senior director of global education.

“We continue to create more opportunities for students to go abroad and also encourage students to be intentional in selecting the locations and programs.”

Notre Dame International’s study abroad office manages nearly 50 semester study abroad programs in 25 countries around the world.

Open Doors is conducted by the Institute of International Education with the support of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State. More information on the report can be found online.

Originally published by Colleen Wilcox at studyabroad.nd.edu on Nov. 18.

Notre Dame partners with Fulbright COMEXUS to strengthen ties between US, Mexico universities

2020-10-27T08:00:00-04:00

The University of Notre Dame and partners are now accepting applications for the Becas Fulbright-García Robles COMEXUS Mexico 91��Ƶ Chair, which funds a senior scholar from a Mexican university to be in residence for a semester.

As part of the new program, Notre Dame International has partnered with the Kellogg Institute for International 91��Ƶ to bring social scientists and humanists to Notre Dame to teach courses about Mexico as a Kellogg Institute visiting fellow. The call for applications for fall 2021 runs through Nov. 25. The profile of this particular chair will focus on democracy and development.

“We are very pleased to be partnering with NDI and COMEXUS on this distinctive research opportunity,” said Donald Stelluto, executive director for the Kellogg Institute. “The Kellogg Institute has long valued and fostered collaborative research. This opportunity to welcome a senior scholar from Mexico will strengthen the institute’s academic and collegial networks in Latin America and present a new avenue for us and our visiting scholars to focus together on the study of critical questions around democracy and development in Mexico.”

The program, which launched in 2016, aims to create and strengthen ties between U.S. academic and higher education institutions in Mexico, as well as promote greater knowledge of Mexico in the U.S.

"We are very excited about this partnership and the opportunity it creates to build new relationships throughout Mexico by bringing senior scholars to Notre Dame,” says Mike Talbot, director for initiatives in Mexico at the Mexico City Global Center. “This program will seed research collaboration long into the future."

While the core of this program is a course, the fellow will also organize an event or seminar on Mexico, fostering discussion in the Notre Dame community, and will develop research on a relevant topic.

"This collaboration is particularly relevant as Mexico elected in 2018 a president with the highest popular support in 50 years,” says Hazel Blackmore, executive director of COMEXUS. “The initiative between Notre Dame and COMEXUS is the cherry on the cake to an informal collaboration between the two institutions that has been constant and productive over the years within the framework of other FGR programs.”

Notre Dame is the sixth partner to this initiative that includes the University of Chicago; the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque; the University of California, San Diego; the University of Southern California, Los Angeles; and Juniata College.

The Becas Fulbright-García Robles scholarship is awarded to candidates with Mexican nationality and permanent residency in Mexico. The deadline is Nov. 25. Requirements and application information can be found here.

Originally published by Colleen Wilcox at mexicocity.nd.edu on Oct. 22.

Notre Dame signs agreement with Yad Vashem promoting Holocaust education and research

2020-09-09T16:00:00-04:00

The University of Notre Dame and its global network, including the University of Notre Dame at Tantur in Jerusalem, signed a memorandum of understanding agreement with Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Center. The agreement was made official today during a virtual ceremony, signed by Yad Vashem Director General Dorit Novak and Michael Pippenger, vice president and associate provost for internationalization at the University of Notre Dame.

In addition to the agreement signing, scholars from both institutions offered remarks that explore how people dehumanized and murdered millions of people, and the role healing justice plays in our world today. This is the focus of a new online educational tool recently uploaded to the Yad Vashem website. This resource raises open questions to encourage thoughtful discussion and writings.

"Yad Vashem is pleased to sign the agreement with the University of Notre Dame," says Novak. "Yad Vashem is committed to ensuring that the history of the Holocaust continues to be relevant to us today and for future generations, and not just yet another chapter in human history. Our efforts aim to equip students and teachers alike with the necessary tools and materials to address the topic of the Holocaust and engage young scholars in the need for further research into the multifaceted nature of the Holocaust. Yad Vashem hopes that this agreement will open more opportunities to be active on many more universities and college campuses across the United States and the rest of the world."

This new connection creates a basis for fruitful cooperation between these two internationally renowned institutions. Yad Vashem's International Institute for Holocaust Research and International 91��Ƶ for Holocaust 91��Ƶ will work together with members of the faculty, staff and students at the University of Notre Dame. This agreement also includes developing a strong connection with Notre Dame's Alliance for Catholic Education (ACE) to sustain, strengthen and transform Holocaust education in Catholic schools and in its professional development programming.

"For decades, Yad Vashem's International 91��Ƶ for Holocaust 91��Ƶ has been training teachers from all faiths from across the globe, and it looks forward to embarking on this new partnership with Notre Dame's ACE program," says Eyal Kaminka, director and the Lily Safra Chair of Holocaust Education at the International 91��Ƶ, Yad Vashem.

“The University of Notre Dame is very proud to enter into this partnership with Yad Vashem. For our students who study abroad in Jerusalem, the collaboration will allow for greater access to Yad Vashem's extraordinary resources — both its world-renowned experts and its unparalleled archives to pursue their research and become a part of the global conversation on Holocaust studies,” says Pippenger.

“For our students on campus, we hope that the partnership will lead to a better understanding of the history and legacy of the Holocaust and what that understanding calls us to study and act on today. We also look forward to our faculty members forging new connections with the excellent scholars at Yad Vashem to produce research and scholarly initiatives that enlighten, educate and heal our communities.”

Contact: Colleen Wilcox, Notre Dame International, 574-631-2513, cwilcox1@nd.edu

Originally published by Colleen Wilcox at international.nd.edu on Sept. 9.

Notre Dame International honors Global Gateway academic directors

2020-06-29T10:45:00-04:00

As their terms come to a close, Notre Dame International (NDI) would like to honor and recognize the accomplishments of the three academic directors: JoAnn DellaNeva at the London Global Gateway, Hannah Hemphill at the Jerusalem Global Gateway and Heather Hyde Minor at the Rome Global Gateway. As academic directors, they have each played a critical role in advancing programming for students and faculty, as well as enhancing the University's research profile

“These leaders have championed numerous curricular and research initiatives that have had a tremendous impact on our students and faculty. Their creative and thoughtful work is invaluable for the University's advancement of global education and research,” says Michael Pippenger, vice president and associate provost for internationalization.

“The University and Notre Dame International are grateful to them for their leadership as well as their commitment to teaching and scholarship.”

JoAnn DellaNeva, professor of Romance languages and literatures, began her term in August 2017. During her three-year tenure as the academic director of the London Global Gateway, DellaNeva worked closely with faculty, graduate students and postdoctoral students to support their scholarship, promote London as a place to advance their research and strengthen scholarly collaboration with universities such as Durham and Oxford. She developed programs that provide intellectual enrichment for both students and faculty in London, including the London Undergraduate Scholars Program and London-specific signature classes such as Imagining Henry VIII, and promoted the intellectual profile of the Kennedy Scholars program. Most recently, she chaired the faculty advisory committee on the G.K. Chesterton Collection, which was acquired by the London Global Gateway in 2019. During her upcoming sabbatical, DellaNeva will continue her work on the literary representation of Henry VIII in early modern European texts.

NDI has appointed Rev. James Lies, C.S.C., to a one-year term as interim senior director of academic initiatives and partnerships beginning July 1. Father Lies will work closely with Joshua Copeland, London Global Gateway’s executive director, faculty and academic leaders on campus, and the global network on the London Global Gateway’s role in advancing global scholarship.

Hannah Hemphill, a theologian of Christian history, began her term in Jerusalem in September 2018. As academic director, Hemphill provided academic oversight to Notre Dame undergraduates and created opportunities for Notre Dame faculty, postdoctoral students and graduate students to extend the global reach of their research in the Holy Land. During her tenure, Hemphill developed and led an immersive and pedagogically rich curriculum that exposed her students to the historic, religious and cultural diversity of the region. She created and taught an internship course for students interested in community-based learning and research. Hemphill co-led a monthly lecture series, Tuesdays at Tantur, and hosted numerous academic conferences that gathered Notre Dame faculty with local and international scholars around relevant topics such as interfaith dialogue, sustainability and peacebuilding. This fall, Hemphill will begin serving as assistant professor of Catholic studies and theology at Carroll College in Helena, Montana.

Heather Hyde Minor, professor of art history, began her term as academic director in Rome in August 2017. Hyde Minor fostered innovative undergraduate programs, particularly the Rome International Scholars Program, and strengthened the Rome Seminar, which is designed to introduce graduate students from across the humanities to the unique primary sources available in Rome. The seminar led to a consortium with Stanford University and Princeton University. During her term, she also developed collaborative research opportunities with the Apostolic Vatican Library and Sapienza University and strengthened research projects with the 91��Ƶ of Architecture. Her research on Giovanni Battista Piranesi (1720-78) will be published by Princeton University Press in the forthcoming book "Piranesi Unbound." Hyde Minor will continue her research during her upcoming sabbatical before returning to teach for the department of art, art history and design.

NDI will work closely with the executive directors in London, Rome and Jerusalem to ensure continuity of academic initiatives and programming. To build upon the valuable contributions made by these academic directors, NDI's senior leadership will continue to work with faculty and deans to support and enhance a range of faculty research and teaching opportunities at the Gateways.

Contact: Colleen Wilcox, Notre Dame International, 574-631-2513, cwilcox1@nd.edu

Originally published by Colleen Wilcox at international.nd.edu on June 26.

Joshua Copeland named executive director of the University of Notre Dame (USA) in England

2020-06-04T14:00:00-04:00

Notre Dame International has appointed Joshua Copeland the new executive director of the University of Notre Dame (USA) in England (UNDE), which hosts the London Global Gateway. Copeland, who currently serves as the director of student affairs for UNDE, will work in collaboration with academic leaders to create new research collaborations, partnerships and initiatives at the London Global Gateway. He will also manage the administration and operations of the Gateway.

Copeland has been an integral member of the London Global Gateway during the past seven years, supporting students, parents, alumni and partners in London both as the director of student affairs and rector of Conway Hall. He has also facilitated programs that help promote understanding and advance knowledge, including the recent acquisition of the G.K. Chesterton Collection. Copeland helped steer this project, along with academic leaders, to provide a gathering point for intellectual life in the UK.

“Josh’s excellent leadership in supporting our students and creating community, his success in building meaningful relationships with local partners in London, and his embodiment of the mission and values of UNDE make him the perfect candidate to be the next executive director,” said Michael Pippenger, vice president and associate provost for internationalization.

“We are thrilled that he will take up this position and continue to help UNDE flourish in the months and years to come.”

In his new role, Copeland will be responsible for implementing the academic vision and strategy, facilitating research collaborations and raising the University’s profile in the United Kingdom. He will continue building strategic relationships with UK universities and strengthen UNDE’s position as a leader in experiential learning and global education.

“Copeland’s commitment to the University’s internationalization, as well as his proven leadership in global education, will continue to strengthen UNDE’s role in advancing opportunities for collaborative research while expanding the impact of the University’s global scholarship,” said Jonathan Noble, senior assistant provost for internationalization.

Copeland will transition into his new role Monday, June 15, 2020. He holds a master’s degree in music and an artist diploma in voice and opera from Yale University. He previously enjoyed a career as an accomplished opera singer, performing in both the US and Europe.

Contact: Colleen Wilcox, Notre Dame International, cwilcox1@nd.edu

Originally published by Colleen Wilcox at international.nd.edu on June 04, 2020.

Daniel Schwake named new executive director of the University of Notre Dame at Tantur

2019-05-08T10:00:00-04:00

Notre Dame International has announced that Daniel Schwake has been appointed executive director of the University of Notre Dame at Tantur. This newly created position which will contribute to the Jerusalem Global Gateway and the Tantur Ecumenical Institute is part of the strategic vision of the University to become the premier global Catholic university in the Holy Land and beyond.

Schwake will lead the strategic and managerial aspects for the University’s operations at Tantur and serve as a primary ambassador. He will also assist in the implementation of the academic vision and strategy expressed through Tantur and the Jerusalem Global Gateway.

“It is an exciting time for the University and our efforts in the Holy Land, as we reimagine the role Notre Dame can have in the Middle East,” said Angie Appleby Purcell, associate director for strategic initiatives at Notre Dame International.

“While the Tantur Ecumenical Institute will continue to be a leader of ecumenical encounter, dialogue and research, Notre Dame International is also expanding the University’s academic footprint in the region through the Jerusalem Global Gateway. A growing number of faculty from varied departments and disciplines are using Tantur for research opportunities, to gather global scholars for academic conferences and to encourage students to study in Jerusalem.”

Schwake is joining the University after serving more than a decade in the financial services and consulting industry. Most recently, he served as principal (associate partner) at Oliver Wyman, a strategy consulting firm. Schwake provided advice to top executives of large corporations, financial institutions, regulators and ministries. He has led the execution of high-profile engagements across the globe, covering a wide range of topics including enterprise-wide strategy, financial planning, risk and regulation, and restructuring. Schwake speaks fluent Arabic, English, Hebrew and German.

"The experience and skills he has earned as a consultant for top executives across Europe, the Americas and the Middle East, backed by his academic background and deep roots in the Holy Land make him the ideal leader to help forward and deepen Notre Dame's mission within the region,” said Appleby Purcell.

The Jerusalem Global Gateway is part of Notre Dame International’s global network, which includes five Global Gateways in Jerusalem, Dublin, Beijing, London and Rome, and six Global Centers in Hong Kong, Mexico City, Mumbai, Santiago, São Paulo and Kylemore Abbey (western Ireland).

Contact: Colleen Wilcox, Notre Dame International, 574-631-2513, cwilcox1@nd.edu

Record number of Notre Dame students receive Gilman Scholarships to study abroad

2018-12-07T15:00:00-05:00

The U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship has been awarded to five Notre Dame students who will be studying abroad in spring 2019. This is a record number of recipients for the University in a single application cycle.

Among the selected students:

• Junior Seth Cattanach of Minnesota will study in London. Cattanach is a computer engineering major.

• Junior Brendan O’Donnell of Illinois will study in Dublin-UCD. O’Donnell is a computer engineering major.

• Junior Avian Robinson of Wisconsin will study in Berlin. Robinson is a business analytics major.

• Junior Deandre Tomlinson of New Jersey will study in Puebla, Mexico. Tomlinson is a science computing major.

• Junior Meklit Zenabu of Ohio will study in Jerusalem. Zenabu is a psychology major.

More than 800 students were selected to receive scholarships to participate in credit-bearing study abroad programs and career-oriented internships around the world. More than 100 selection panelists from colleges and universities across the nation reviewed the 3,400 applications for this cycle.

Gilman Scholars receive up to $5,000 to apply toward their study abroad or internship program costs. The program offers grants for U.S. citizen undergraduate students of limited financial means to pursue academic studies or internships abroad, thereby gaining skills critical to our national security and economic competitiveness. The Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship is a congressionally funded program of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at the U.S. State Department and was named after the late congressman Benjamin A. Gilman, who served 30 years in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Applications for summer 2019 and fall 2019/academic year 2019-2020 programs will open in mid-January. Student applications are due March 5. Program information and a list of the recipients can be found on the program’s website.

Originally published by Colleen Wilcox at studyabroad.nd.edu on Dec. 7.

Notre Dame ranked No. 2 in the nation for study abroad participation

2018-11-13T14:00:00-05:00

The University of Notre Dame’s commitment to internationalization continues to be recognized on a national level, as the University moves up in the rankings for study abroad participation. The Institute of International Education ranks Notre Dame second among doctorate-granting universities for undergraduate participation during 2016-2017.

By the time they graduate, 73.7 percent of Notre Dame undergraduate students will have participated in study abroad. The latest data were published in the Open Doors report, which examines the number of degree-seeking students who received academic credit for study abroad in a given year. Open Doors is published by the Institute of International Education, which has conducted an annual statistical survey on international students in the United States since its founding in 1919 and in partnership with the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs since 1972.

In order to enhance the University’s growth and reach around the globe, Notre Dame International was established eight years ago to build collaborative global networks and facilitate richly diverse programs for students. Notre Dame International’s study abroad office manages nearly 60 semester study abroad programs in 25 countries around the world.

“We have continued to deepen our expertise as a leader in global education, and this recognition serves as a tribute to the University’s commitment to inspiring our future leaders to experience other cultures and learn beyond the United States,” said Michael Pippenger, vice president and associate provost for internationalization.

Notre Dame was ranked third last year in the annual Open Doors report, which is released every year during International Education Week. “These results speak to the strength, professionalism and hard work of our study abroad team and the intellectual curiosity of our students,” said Pippenger.

More information on the report can be found online.

Originally published by Colleen Wilcox at international.nd.edu on Nov. 13.

Hannah Hemphill named academic director of the Jerusalem Global Gateway

2018-09-25T08:00:00-04:00

Notre Dame International announced that Hannah Hemphill has been appointed academic director of the University of Notre Dame’s Jerusalem Global Gateway. Hemphill will provide academic oversight to Notre Dame undergraduates, as well as create pathways for Notre Dame faculty, postdocs and graduate students to extend the global reach of their research and scholarship in the Holy Land.

Hemphill served as co-director of Notre Dame’s study abroad programs at the Jerusalem Global Gateway from 2011 to 2014. She also held an internship at the Tantur Ecumenical Institute for Notre Dame’s Department of Theology, researching the institute’s history and implementing Notre Dame’s undergraduate pilgrimage to the Holy Land.

“I am thrilled to welcome Hannah to Notre Dame International as the new academic director,” says Angie Appleby Purcell, interim executive director of the Jerusalem Global Gateway.

“Her academic acumen in medieval theology and Jewish studies, along with her intimate knowledge of both Notre Dame and Jerusalem, will greatly benefit our students’ learning and support the global outreach of our faculty research and scholarship with Israel and Palestine.”

As academic director, Hemphill will work closely with academic units on campus and collaborators in the Middle East to strengthen Notre Dame’s visibility by developing and supporting seminars, major conferences and lectures at the Gateway.

“Through her leadership, I am confident that she will implement NDI’s strategic plan to support students and faculty in Jerusalem and identity new initiatives for the region,” says Purcell.

During 2014-15, Hemphill conducted a year of dissertation research at the University of Fribourg, Switzerland. She is working to complete a Ph.D. in theology from Notre Dame. She holds master’s degrees from Notre Dame, St. Andrews University and Oxford.

The Jerusalem Global Gateway is part of Notre Dame International’s global network, which includes five Global Gateways in Jerusalem, Dublin, Beijing, London and Rome and six Global Centers in Hong Kong, Mexico City, Mumbai, Santiago, São Paulo and Kylemore Abbey in western Ireland.

Contact: Colleen Wilcox, Notre Dame International, 574-631-2513, cwilcox1@nd.edu

Originally published by Colleen Wilcox at international.nd.edu on Sept. 21.

Graham Spickett-Jones named executive director of the London Global Gateway

2018-06-11T14:00:00-04:00

Graham Spickett-Jones has been appointed executive director of the University of Notre Dame’s London Global Gateway. Spickett-Jones will serve the University’s faculty and students, and support the broader community of alumni, parents and partners by facilitating programs that help promote understanding, advance knowledge and address issues to serve the common good within a global context. He will assist the academic director’s efforts to create new research collaborations, partnerships and academic initiatives at the London Global Gateway.

Spickett-Jones has a uniquely diverse background, serving in various roles in both commercial and academic institutions, including several leading research-intensive U.K. universities. Most recently, he served as the international director for the 91��Ƶ of Business and Management at Queen Mary University of London. He helped to drive international recruitment and build external partnerships for exchange programs.

Besides teaching courses in marketing, Spickett-Jones was also heavily involved with research. He has been published in well-ranked international academic journals and in professional trade journals. He has contributed chapters for textbooks and supported industry partners with thought leadership and consultant work.

“Graham’s business experience in the hospitality industry coupled with his extensive background in higher education, both as an administrator and faculty member, makes him uniquely qualified to serve as the inaugural executive director for the London Global Gateway,” says Warren von Eschenbach, associate vice president and assistant provost for internationalization.

“His proven leadership in launching two satellite campuses in London, involvement in developing research clusters, and background in international education has equipped him with the skills and experience to realize the University’s international priorities in London and throughout the United Kingdom.”

Located in the heart of the Westminster near Trafalgar Square, the London Global Gateway is in close proximity to many foreign embassies, government offices, academic institutes and charitable organizations. The London Global Gateway is part of Notre Dame International's global network, which includes five Global Gateways in Beijing, Dublin, Jerusalem, London and Rome; and six Global Centers in Hong Kong, Mexico City, Mumbai, Santiago, São Paulo and Kylemore Abbey (western Ireland).

Contact: Colleen Wilcox, Notre Dame International, 574-631-2513, cwilcox1@nd.edu

Originally published by Colleen Wilcox at international.nd.edu on June 11.