Member Spotlight
November 2022 | Member Spotlight
How has YLND assisted you in connecting with other young professionals?
I really enjoy playing softball over the summer and meeting other young leaders at Notre Dame. The service events that have been coordinated have also been really great in getting to know people and getting more involved in the South Bend community outside of Notre Dame.
Favorite YLND memory
I just joined at the beginning of this year, I hope to make great memories this Fall semester.
What is your favorite "hidden secret" about Notre Dame?
I love entertaining the idea of an intricate tunnel system under campus. Rumor has it they're mostly under South and God Quad leading up to the main building.
Fun fact about yourself
I love all things related to natural health-food and worked for Lebron James in Miami when his wife had a cold pressed Juice spot in Brickell.
October 2022 | Member Spotlight
How has YLND assisted you in connecting with other young professionals?
YLND has helped me to connect with other young professionals by supporting and hosting events and activities that allow me to network, connect, and be of service to others. It has been very gratifying to meet colleagues (and future friends) who are in a similar professional and personal place as myself.
Favorite YLND memory
When I first started as a staff member, a YLND representative reached out to welcome me to campus. This representative turned out to be one of my freshmen when I was an RA studying at ND! I was completely surprised, and it was a wonderful full circle moment of the YLND representative welcoming me to back to campus as I had welcomed her to campus many years ago.
What is your favorite "hidden secret" about Notre Dame?
The time capsule *allegedly* hidden on the 4th floor in room REDACTED in Breen-Phillips Hall.
Fun fact about yourself
As a Peace Corps Volunteer in Morocco, I learned how to successfully capture scorpions without getting stung.
October 2022 | Member Spotlight
How has YLND assisted you in connecting with other young professionals?
The Learning from Leaders programming has helped me make more formal connections on campus. And the Trivia Night was a great informal and fun way to connect with the young professionals on campus during the Holiday Season.
Favorite YLND memory
Going to the Holiday Trivia Night! I used to go to trivia nights in Grad School, and it was so nice to be doing that again.
What is your favorite "hidden secret" about Notre Dame?
My favorite "hidden secret" about Notre Dame is the Snite Museum of Art (soon to be the Raclin Murphy Museum of Art)! The Museum has an extraordinary collection, and it is continually growing. I only wish I had a Museum like this to hang out in at my undergraduate University.
Fun fact about yourself
I have a 9 year old cat named Tonks, and she is full to the brim with Tortitude.
September 2022 | Member Spotlight
How has YLND assisted you in connecting with other young professionals?
It's great meeting members from across campus with different interests
What is your favorite "hidden secret" about Notre Dame?
The Crucifix at St. Joseph's Lake.
September 2022 | Member Spotlight
How has YLND assisted you in connecting with other young professionals?
It has helped me connect with people in other young professionals in other areas of the University that I otherwise wouldn't have met or interacted with.
What is your favorite YLND memory?
My favorite YLND memory is Turning Over a New Leaf in 2017. We helped people in South Bend clean up their yards. It felt like a small thing to me but the people we helped were incredibly grateful and it had a lasting impact on me.
August 2022 | Member Spotlight
How has YLND assisted you in connecting with other young professionals?
YLND has allowed me to meet all sorts of people from across campus that I normally wouldn’t get to meet! Through socializing and networking events, I’ve been able to meet amazing colleagues across campus, as well as make some of my closest friends. YLND gives us a way to connect with fellow young professionals, and it’s made my transition to the Midwest so much easier!
What is your favorite "hidden secret" about Notre Dame?
Even though DPAC is only 18 years old, we do have ghosts in the building. This includes the ghost of the dressing room, who sings to you as you leave for the night because they don’t want you to leave. Spooky.
August 2022 | Member Spotlight
How has YLND assisted you in connecting with other young professionals?
YLND Ambassadors kick off your introduction to connecting with other young professionals. That first connection is where you learn about all the opportunities YLND provides. YLND Happy Hours is what truly allowed me to connect to others, and I have become active in committees which also allows me to connect with other young professionals.
Favorite YLND memory
At my first YLND Happy Hour I spoke to the ambassador who introduced me to all that YLND offers, and he introduced me to a few others. We ended up going to another place after happy hour for dinner and more drinks. Since campus is so large, and departments are so different I learned a lot about campus and different departments, and met some really cool people!
What is your favorite "hidden secret" about Notre Dame?
The employees. I don't know how they do it but everyone is so so nice.
Fun fact about yourself
I waited until I was 16 to get my ears pierced, due to fear of needles. I overcame that fear quickly because I ended up with 13 piercings, all on my ears!
August 2022 | Member Spotlight
How has YLND assisted you in connecting with other young professionals?
YLND has not only allowed me to connect with those with similar roles on campus as myself, but it has opened up the possibility of new relationships across campus that might have not been formed otherwise. Through this group, I’ve even been able to meet individuals within the Notre Dame community who share the same likes and interests as me outside of work.
Favorite YLND memory
The YLND Christmas Party is always a blast!
What is your favorite "hidden secret" about Notre Dame?
Cafe J which is tucked away in the Morris Inn. It has amazing coffee, a nice atmosphere, and is not as busy as some of the other shops on campus.
Fun fact about yourself
I've seen every season of Survivor at least once!
December 2021 | Member Spotlight
How has YLND assisted you in connecting with other young professionals?
When I signed up they were great about reaching out to me and offering to get coffee and meet up!
What is your favorite "hidden secret" about Notre Dame?
I love the statues of Jesus on the cross, flanked by Mary and St John on the northwest side of St Joe Lake. It is tucked away and so quiet and peaceful and was one of Fr Hesburgh's favorite spots on campus.
Fun fact about yourself
As an undergrad, I frequented the DQ on 23 so much that the staff knew my order and would start making it before I got to the counter to order. In other words, I peaked early.
August 2021 | Member Spotlight
How has YLND assisted you in connecting with other young professionals?
YLND provides activities and social events that make it easy to fold in and meet new people. Sure, the first time you come, it can be a little intimidating. But the people welcome each other and are quick to offer a "hello." Usually, you also have an activity to enjoy so it doesn't feel forced as you get to know your colleagues!
Favorite YLND memory
My favorite YLND memory wasn't a YLND event. It was when I was sitting outside Culver's and two people I met from YLND were in the drive-thru and we caught up after months of COVID lockdown! It just felt good to talk to someone and it was cool that they saw me and shouted to me, and it reminded me to sign up for more YLND events that were beginning again.
What is your favorite "hidden secret" about Notre Dame?
I have many hidden secrets related to Notre Dame, but I love the Rolfs Aquatic Center and the ability to have access to such a great resource for exercise
Fun fact about yourself
For a short time, while living in downtown Memphis, I entertained myself by learning and performing card tricks on Beale Street
May 2021 | Member Spotlight
How has YLND assisted you in connecting with other young professionals?
YLND has provided me with the opportunity to meet others around campus from the community events and Trivia Nights. YLND has introduced me to such wonderful colleagues!
Favorite YLND memory
The Holiday Trivia Night (12/10/20). Three of my colleagues and I participated and came in 2nd place! Our team name was "Hot Mess Express." Such a fun night!
What is your favorite "hidden secret" about Notre Dame?
Each stonemason who worked on Notre Dame had a unique symbol that they would carve into the stones once their work was complete in order to be paid. These symbols would later be removed, but a few still remain, scattered throughout the cathedral in plain sight. See if you can find the symbols to the right on one of the pillars on the south side of the nave.
Fun fact about yourself
My first scuba dive was a shark feeding! I am a couple dives away from receiving my Masters Certification for Scuba Diver. I love traveling and creating lifelong memories with my family.
April 2021 | Member Spotlight
How has YLND assisted you in connecting with other young professionals?
YLND has provided opportunities to do exciting things in and around South Bend with other members of the Notre Dame community. The people I've met volunteering, hiking, and attending other social events have been fantastic.
Favorite YLND memory
My favorite memory is attending the 2018 Holiday Trivia Night and Holiday Party. I remember the questions were all about music and our group showed a lot of knowledge and had a lot of fun. Most recently, my favorite memory has been tapping maple trees at Bendix Woods with the YLND Explore Michiana interest group. Since then I've gotten maple syrup from Bendix Woods which has made breakfast and brunch amazing.
What is your favorite "hidden secret" about Notre Dame?
My favorite hidden secret about Notre Dame are the lakes, St. Mary's Lake and St. Joseph's Lake near the Grotto. The nature there is wonderful. During all parts of the year, you can see an amazing variety of animals including great blue herons, hooded mergansers, buffleheads, common map turtles, soft shelled turtles, and more. A person can walk the lakes and see so much. It's very peaceful. In addition to the wildlife, the lakes are a great place to go for a run. The trails around each lake are about a mile, so it's easy to map out a short jog or a 5k.
Fun fact about yourself
I'm training for a few stair climbs this summer and hopefully that will help me when I run my second Sunburst half marathon this fall. In the last few weeks I've done a few virtual climbs at the Hesburgh Library and Grace Hall.
April 2021 | Member Spotlight
How has YLND assisted you in connecting with other young professionals?
YLND has done a great job at hosting events for members to meet other young professionals.
Favorite YLND memory
Volunteering at Cultivate was a wonderful opportunity to meet other young leaders while repurposing food for individuals who encounter food insecurity in our local counties.
What is your favorite "hidden secret" about Notre Dame?
I love the hidden crucifix that is off the path around St. Joseph's Lake. I frequently stop there and pray while embarking on my walks around the two lakes on campus.
Fun fact about yourself
I have gone white water rafting on the Nile River.
March 2021 | Member Spotlight
How has YLND assisted you in connecting with other young professionals?
YLND has been a great resource for meeting other young professionals on campus. The annual Christmas trivia party was one of the first events I attended as a new hire. As admin for the YLND A Novel Idea Book Club, I've been able to connect with other book lovers (and get some great reading recommendations!). We hope you'll join us at a future meeting!
Favorite YLND memory
The first YLND A Novel Idea Book Club meeting in 2018! We discussed "There, There" by Tommy Orange at Evil Czech. Discussing a great book at a great place with great people!
What is your favorite "hidden secret" about Notre Dame?
University Catering makes some of the best brussels sprouts I've ever had.
Fun fact about yourself
I just adopted a French Bulldog!
March 2021 | Member Spotlight
How has YLND assisted you in connecting with other young professionals?
YLND has introduced me and connected with folks who I have joined to create student programming. It also connected with great lunch conversations.
Favorite YLND memory
Any Behind the Scenes or Learning from Our Leaders events. They really show all the great workings of the university, inside and out.
What is your favorite "hidden secret" about Notre Dame?
Any ghost stories, just entering into a building and knowing a spooky tale is so interesting.
Fun fact about yourself
I am a proud South Bend native and I have lived here my entire life!
Learn about previous member spotlights here.
Interested in sharing your story? Click here to complete the Member Spotlight form.