Keenan Hall, like all other residential communities at Notre Dame, is led by a rector. Assisting him are two assistant rectors (ARs) who reside on the third and fourth floors. Each floor in Keenan has two sections: north and west. Each section has one resident assistant (RA). ARs are typically post-grads while RAs are seniors. Keenan is also supported by a Faculty Fellow. Read More about these folks below!
Rector
What is a rector? The term “rector” has a unique meaning at Notre Dame. Rectors include priests and brothers of the Congregation of Holy Cross—the founding order of the University—women and men from other religious orders, and lay women and men. Most are trained in ministry and education.
Rectors live in the building full-time and set the standard for communal life, counsel and advise students as a confidante, and supervises the staff. They hope to build trust and respect, always supporting the deep friendships and bonds in the community.
Dcn. Keenan Bross, C.S.C.
Keenan Bross, C.S.C., serves as the Rector of Keenan Hall. A native of Flint Hill, Missouri, he discerned a call to the Congregation of Holy Cross while in high school and entered Old College Undergraduate Seminary in 2016. He earned a bachelor degree in Physics and Philosophy from the University of Notre Dame and completed a Master of Divinity in 2026. He professed Final Vows in the Congregation of Holy Cross in August 2026 and will be ordained to the priesthood in May 2027.
During his years of formation, Keenan has worked in parish, education, and outreach ministries both at home and abroad in Chile, Mexico, Bangladesh, and Tanzania. With a love for spiritual formation and the outdoors, he helped launch the annual Holy Cross Backpacking Pilgrimage, an initiative of the Office of Vocations. He hopes to serve as a bridge between Holy Cross priests and brothers around the world, especially through the ministry of education. Prior to becoming Rector of Keenan Hall, Keenan served as Assistant Rector of O’Neill Family Hall.
Contact Information
- Mailing Address: 120 Keenan Hall, Notre Dame, IN 46556
- Phone: (574) 631-1494
- Email: kbross@nd.edu
Assistant Rectors
ASSISTANT RECTORS (ARs) are Notre Dame graduate students who serve in residence halls, living side-by-side with students. The Rector and two ARs form the Head Staff, assisting the Rector with general administration and working to ensure a healthy, safe, and vibrant learning community. Every evening one of the three Head Staff members is “on duty,” fully available to all the residents.
Mike Piwko, J.D. ’28
•••
Areas of Responsibility: Zaland Food Service
Joe Richard, M.B.A. ’27
Joe Richard is an MBA Candidate in the Mendoza College of Business Class of 2027. He comes to South Bend from St. Louis, Missouri, where he’s worked at The Boeing Company, most recently as a Mergers & Acquisitions Lead in Contracts. He graduated from Saint Louis University in 2020 with degrees in Entrepreneurship and International Studies (Go Billikens!) where he was active in campus ministry, involved in the Honors Learning Community, and had a few stints abroad for experiential learning. He spends his free time traveling with friends, rooting for the Yankees, and chasing around his 4 young nieces and nephews. Joe is excited continue his studies at Notre Dame, and is thrilled to get to know the Keenan community over the next two years!
Areas of Responsibility: Faith Life & Liturgy
Resident Assistants
RESIDENT ASSISTANTS (RAs) at Notre Dame is one of the most prestigious honors on campus. Chosen only from among the rising seniors, when possible, they are assigned to serve the community they have lived in for three years. RAs are mentors and leaders, truly on the front lines of building a sense of family in their hall. In Keenan, there is always at least one RA on duty every night, sometimes two. This past academic year, Keenan RAs were among the top few staffs as rated by our residents across categories including in-hall presence, perception of fairness, inclusivity, and leadership ability. Residents seek them out for advice, support, or just someone to talk to. We are pleased to introduce to you our 2026 – 2027 RAs!
Wyatt Fales is a mathematics major from Newport Beach, California. He has embraced his time in Keenan in positions ranging from serving on Welcome Weekend to working as a Manager in Zaland. Additionally, Wyatt is involved with Camp Kesem Notre Dame and spent a semester studying abroad in Budapest. He cherishes his relationships in Keenan and is thrilled for the opportunity to serve the Kommunity as an RA.
Jack is a business analytics major with minors in Finance & Computing and Digital Technology originally from Philadelphia, PA. On campus, Jack is involved with the Jubilee Initiative For Financial Inclusion (JIFFI) and the Holy Half Marathon Planning Committee. Outside of Notre Dame, Jack works with a variety of organizations within the lung cancer community, including Ride Hard Breathe Easy. In his free time, he enjoys rooting for all Philly sports teams (Go Birds!).
My name is John Brann, and I am majoring in the Program of Liberal Studies with a minor in History. I am originally from the great state of Pennsylvania, but I am proud to call Keenan my home. Outside of classes, I enjoy being active outdoors, reading, exercising, playing poker with the boys, and further cultivating my faith. My relationships within Keenan have been integral to my Notre Dame experience, and I cannot wait to serve my section as an RA.
Luke is a senior at Notre Dame studying Theology and pre-medicine with a passion for science, service, and building strong community. On campus, he’s involved in research, works as a patient care assistant, and loves cooking banana chocolate-chip pancakes! Outside of academics, Luke plays the violin, enjoys staying active, and is always down for a good late-night conversation about anything from career goals to random life questions. He’s excited to be an RA and hopes to create a hall environment that’s welcoming, supportive, and genuinely fun.
My name is Jack Thomas, and I am majoring in the Program of Liberal Studies (PLS) with a minor in French. I am originally from Chevy Chase, Maryland, but am lucky enough to call Keenan home. My favorite event is, without a doubt, the Keenan Revue, and I have served on the show’s staff for the past three years, most recently as an Assistant Producer. I love reading books, running, and watching movies with friends.
Jayden Meredith is a Biological Sciences major planning to go to medical school. He is involved in ecological research and is developing a bioacoustics monitoring project for insects. He is a member of the Ultimate Frisbee Club team and enjoys sports in general. He is also a Counselor for Camp Sweeney.
Steven Jordan is a driven Accountancy and Political Science student at Notre Dame, as well as a proven leader in and out of the classroom. Steven has been involved in all things Keenan, from Freshmen News to St. Andre’s Welcome Weekend Committee. He has started his own mulching company in Columbus, Ohio, and has a KPMG audit internship 2026.
I’m a South African student majoring in Biological sciences with a minor in compassionate care in medicine here at Notre Dame. I plan on going straight through to medical school. My hobbies include lifting and competing in triathlons.
Faculty Fellow
Andrew Bartolini, Ph.D.
Andrew has been the Faculty Fellow of Keenan Hall since the Fall 2022 semester and has thoroughly enjoyed being welcomed in the Keenan Kommunity! Andrew is an Assistant Teaching Professor and the Director of the First-Year Engineering Program at Notre Dame. He also advises the American Society of Civil Engineers Student Chapter and coaches youth swimming in the area. Andrew enjoys getting to know the Keenan Knights through signature events, Keenan Hall masses, Walks with Andrew, and Cards with Andrew.